Kia Motors, the renowned South Korean automotive manufacturer, has officially confirmed that the India-spec Seltos facelift will be unveiled on July 4, 2023. The highly anticipated updated SUV is expected to hit the Indian market by the end of the following month, generating excitement among automotive enthusiasts. Having made its global debut in June of the previous year, the Seltos facelift now prepares to make its way to India with similar updates and improvements.
One of the significant changes in the facelifted Seltos is its redesigned front fascia, which includes a reworked grille and LED headlamps. Recently, a test mule of the Kia Seltos facelift was spotted undisguised on a public road near the company’s production facility in Andhra Pradesh, providing a clear glimpse of the key changes made to the updated model.
The front fascia of the facelifted Seltos features a larger bumper, a revised grille, and an updated headlamp setup. The grille exhibits a more muscular appearance, while the redesigned headlamps now extend into the grille, accompanied by new daytime running LEDs. Additionally, the facelifted version includes more body cladding and body-colored inserts around the fog lamps, suggesting the possible inclusion of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
The side profile of the Seltos remains largely unchanged, except for the redesigned 17-inch alloy wheels resembling those found in the X-Line version of the current model. At the rear, body-colored inserts surround the reverse lamps integrated into the bumper, differentiating it from the international-spec facelift. The presence of two exhaust tips adds a sporty touch to the overall design, although their functionality remains uncertain.
Stepping inside the cabin, the Kia Seltos facelift boasts a significant overhaul. The SUV will feature a rectangular cockpit layout, equipped with twin screens for the instrument console and touchscreen infotainment system. The cabin also showcases slimmer AC vents positioned below the infotainment screen, along with new controls for the automatic climate control. In terms of features, the updated Seltos will introduce a panoramic sunroof and ADAS, in addition to standard safety features such as six airbags, vehicle stability management, and hill assist.
The powertrain options in the facelifted Seltos are expected to include the existing 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated petrol engine and the 1.5-liter diesel engine, both delivering 115 PS. However, the previously discontinued 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine will be replaced by the 1.5-liter 160 PS turbocharged petrol engine from the Carens model, aligning with the BS6 phase-II emission norms. The SUV will offer a 6-speed manual gearbox as the standard transmission option for all three engine choices. Optional transmissions include a CVT for the petrol engine, a 6-speed torque converter for the diesel engine, and a 7-speed DCT for the turbocharged petrol engine.
Once launched, the updated Kia Seltos will face strong competition in the Indian market. Rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, and MG Astor will continue to be formidable contenders. Additionally, the upcoming Honda Elevate and Citroen C3 Aircross will introduce fresh competition in the compact SUV segment, further intensifying the market landscape.
