In the Indian market, the Kia Seltos is one of those cars that are hard to fault, especially considering its price and segment. Launched in 2019, the Seltos has been the only one to shake the segment leader, Hyundai Creta’s reign, though only for a short while. As the years have gone by, Seltos’s popularity has slowly declined, and while the 2023 facelift refreshed its offering, it did not make any dramatic change in sales.
Recently, the Korean carmaker has launched the second-generation Kia Seltos. Not only is the new Seltos larger than its predecessor, but it also brings many other changes that make it one of the best SUVs for family ownership. While there are many reasons to buy a Kia Seltos, it can be hard to decide between the new and old models. Do not worry. In this article, we explain what has changed in the Seltos so far, how different the new Seltos is from the old one, and how much you can save by buying a used one.
New Kia Seltos: Quick Overview
From a family ownership standpoint, the new Kia Seltos is one of the best cars in the segment. On the outside, it looks macho and dominant, and on the inside, it offers more space than most cars in the segment. The seats are neither too hard nor too soft, and the headrests offer just the right support and cushiness. The most improved aspect of the new Kia Seltos is ride quality, as the SUV competently absorbs bumps and jolts from the road.
Like its predecessor, the new Kia Seltos offers three engine options. A 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic. A 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine comes paired with either a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT automatic. A 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic.
The new Kia Seltos is available in eight variants: HTE, HTE (O), HTK, HTK (O), HTX, HTX (A), GTX, and GTX (A). As far as the colour options are concerned, the Kia Seltos is available in Imperial Blue, Aurora Black Pearl, Gravity Grey, Morning Haze, Pewter Olive, Ivory Silver Gloss, Magma Red, Frost Blue, Glacier White Pearl, Matte Graphite, Glacier White with Aurora Black roof, and Magma Red with Aurora Black roof.
In terms of features, the new Kia Seltos offers a 10-way powered driver’s seat with memory function, 64 colour ambient lighting, auto reverse ORVMS, front ventilated seats, 8-speaker Bose sound system, 5-inch touchscreen for HVAC, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming IRVM, 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Level-2 ADAS safety suite, and more. For the safety equipment, the new Kia Seltos offers 6 airbags as standard, ESC, front and rear disc brakes, hill hold assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), ISOFIX child seat anchorages, reverse camera, and more.
Key Updates of the New Kia Seltos
The latest update of the Kia Seltos came when Kia launched its second-generation model on 1 January 2026. Apart from the same feature list and same powertrains, the new-gen Kia Seltos is entirely different from its predecessor. The new Seltos is 95 mm longer, 30 mm wider, and has an 80 mm longer wheelbase compared to the first-gen model. Moreover, it is based on an all-new K3 platform that Kia claims is stronger than the previous one. All the same, with this new-gen model, Kia removed the air purifier and heads-up display from the Seltos feature list, and the new Seltos does not have separate X-Line variants like the previous model, as the carmaker is offering the Seltos X-Line as a cosmetic package for the GTX variants.
In April 2024, Kia made a few updates to the Seltos package. The mid-spec HTK Plus was made available with an automatic transmission (CVT and AT). Moreover, HTK and HTK plus received several upmarket features that were previously offered only with higher variants. These features included a panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, LED DRLs, and more.
In July 2023, Kia launched the facelifted first-gen Kia Seltos. It was a major update that brought many design and interior changes to the Seltos, adding key features such as a panoramic sunroof and a Level-2 ADAS safety suite.
New Kia Seltos: Ex-Showroom Price
| Kia Seltos Variants & Ex-Showroom Price | ||
| Variant | Powertrain | Ex-Showroom Price |
| HTE | 1.5-litre NA petrol with 6MT and 1.5-litre diesel with 6MT | Rs 10.99 – 12.59 lakh |
| HTE (O) | 1.5-litre NA petrol with 6MT and CVT, 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 6 iMT, and 1.5-litre diesel with 6MT and 6AT | Rs 12.09 – 14.99 lakh |
| HTK | 1.5-litre NA petrol with 6MT and CVT, 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 6 iMT, and 1.5-litre diesel with 6MT and 6AT | Rs 13.09 – 15.99 lakh |
| HTK (O) | 1.5-litre NA petrol with 6MT and CVT, 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 6 iM and 7 DCT, and 1.5-litre diesel with 6MT and 6AT | Rs 14.19 – 17.09 lakh |
| HTX | 1.5-litre NA petrol with 6MT and CVT, 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 7 DCT, and 1.5-litre diesel with 6MT and 6AT | Rs 15.59 – 18.49 lakh |
| HTX (A) | 1.5-litre NA petrol with 6MT and CVT, 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 7 DCT, and 1.5-litre diesel with 6MT and 6AT | Rs 16.69 – 19.59 lakh |
| GTX | 1.5-litre NA petrol with CVT, 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 7 DCT, and 1.5-litre diesel with 6AT | Rs 18.39 – 19.79 lakh |
| GTX (A) | 1.5-litre NA petrol with CVT, 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 7 DCT, and 1.5-litre diesel with 6AT | Rs 19.49 – 19.99 lakh |
Note: Prices may vary slightly by location, and dealer discounts are not included.
Used Kia Seltos: Quick Overview
The Kia Seltos was launched in August 2019. It was Kia’s first car in India. It had three engines on offer: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic; a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine paired with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DCT automatic; and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine paired with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. Except for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, the other two are still on sale.
Like most other elements, the Kia Seltos shared most of its features with the Hyundai Creta. It offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, leatherette upholstery, a single-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, an air purifier, cruise control, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, ambient lighting, and more. For safety equipment, the first-gen Seltos offered up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, vehicle stability management, front and rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and more.
In June 2020, Kia discontinued the GTK and GTX DCT variants from the Seltos lineup and added a few features to the package, including remote engine start, rear USB charging ports, and more.
In September 2021, Kia launched the top-of-the-line X-Line variants of the Kia Seltos, which were only available with automatic transmissions.
In August 2022, Kia began offering the Seltos with six airbags as standard and introduced the diesel-iMT variants.
Used Kia Seltos: Price Overview
| Production Year | Transmission | Approx. Price |
| 2025 | 6-speed manual, CVT automatic, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed torque converter automatic, and 7-speed DCT | Rs. 9.5 – 18.5 lakh |
| 2024 | 6-speed manual, CVT automatic, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed torque converter automatic, and 7-speed DCT | Rs. 8.5 – 17.5 lakh |
| 2023 | 6-speed manual, CVT automatic, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed torque converter automatic, and 7-speed DCT | Rs. 7.5 – 16.5 lakh |
| 2022 | 6-speed manual, CVT automatic, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed torque converter automatic, and 7-speed DCT | Rs. 6.5 – 15.5 lakh |
| 2021 | 6-speed manual, CVT automatic, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed torque converter automatic, and 7-speed DCT | Rs. 5.5 – 14.5 lakh |
The final price depends on the condition, location, and variant.
New Kia Seltos vs Used Kia Seltos: Financing Comparison
| New Kia Seltos GTX A 1.5-litre Turbo petrol DCT | Used Kia Seltos GTX Plus 1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT (2024) | |
| On-Road Price | Rs 23,45,000 | Rs 17,08,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | Rs 4,69,000 | Rs 3,41,600 |
| Loan Amount | Rs 18,76,000 | Rs 13,66,400 |
| Loan Tenure | 5 years | 4 years |
| Interest Rate | 9% | 11% |
| Total Interest | ~ Rs 4,60,560 | ~ Rs 2,69,648 |
| Total Paid | Rs 18,76,000 + Rs 4,60,560 + Rs 4,69,000 = Rs 28,05,560 | Rs 13,66,400 + Rs 3,28,735 + Rs 3,41,600 = Rs 20,09,735 |
| Difference | Saves: Rs 7,95,825 |
As evaluated above, a 2-year-old Kia Seltos GTX Plus 1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT can save you over Rs 7.5 lakh compared to the new model of the same variant.
New Kia Seltos vs Used Kia Seltos: Insurance Comparison
Kia Seltos GTX Plus Turbo DCT (2025)
- Initial Insured Declared Value (IDV): Rs 16,41,297 lakh
- First-Year Premium: Rs 15,087 (approx.)
- Total 5-Year Premium (with depreciation): Rs 65,000 (approx.)
Kia Seltos GTX Plus Turbo DCT (2024)
- Initial IDV: Rs 15,44,750
- First-Year Premium: Rs 13,312 (approx.)
- Total 5-Year Premium: Rs 50,000 (approx.)
So, in terms of insurance costs, a used Kia Seltos will save nearly Rs 15,000 compared to a new one, even if the difference between the new and used model is only about 1 year.
New Kia Seltos vs Used Kia Seltos: Which to Choose?
As the comparison above suggests, a used Kia Seltos will be significantly more affordable than a new one. Moreover, it is important to note that the first-generation Seltos made this SUV a star. It is refined and reliable, and it offers great value for your money, especially if you buy a used model. At the same time, it is important to note that the new-gen Seltos is slightly larger, looks more modern and macho, and offers more space for five adults. Feature-wise, the new Seltos will not offer anything the used model (2-year-old) does not, except for the updated infotainment system.
FAQs about Kia Seltos
Q. What does a brand-new Kia Seltos offer that a used Kia Seltos does not?
The latest Kia Seltos was launched on 1 January 2026. It was a new-gen model that brought an entirely new design and interior. The new Seltos is larger than the previous model, while the powertrain offerings are the same as before. Even the feature list is largely the same as before, including a panoramic sunroof, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, dual-zone climate control, and more.
Q. Is the new Kia Seltos E20 petrol compliant?
Every Kia Seltos unit produced after March 31, 2025, is E20-compliant.
Q. If I buy a used Kia Seltos instead of a new one, how much will I save?
If you buy a 2-year-old Kia Seltos instead of a new one, you can save over Rs. 7.5 lakh.
Q. Which modern features will I get in a used Kia Seltos?
A 2-year-old Kia Seltos (model produced after July 2023) can offer you a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, 8-way powered driver’s seat, 8-speaker Bose sound system, head-up display, air purifier, dual-zone climate control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and more. For safety features, a 2-year-old Seltos offers six airbags, disc brakes on all four wheels, electronic stability control, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, a tyre pressure monitoring system, a Level-2 ADAS safety suite, and more.
