Kia is trying a less exotic trick than chasing luxury margins: sell a small SUV that looks more expensive than it is. Ars Technica reports that the redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos starts at $24,990 before the delivery charge, with styling cues taken from Kia’s larger Telluride.
The launch took place in Newport Beach, California. Kia provided Ars with flights from Washington, DC, to Orange County and lodging so the outlet could drive the Seltos; Ars said it does not accept paid editorial content.
The pricing is the useful bit for buyers who have watched automakers pour attention into pricier models while the affordable end of the market gets thinner. Ars notes that some companies have sought government protection against lower-cost Chinese competition, while Kia’s answer here is a subcompact SUV aimed at the mass market.
A bigger Seltos, still a small SUV
The first Seltos was not originally a sure thing for the US, according to Ars. That version was developed with China as its main target. Kia’s second-generation Seltos is described as a more deliberate US offering, with a larger body and a longer wheelbase than before.
The new Seltos measures 174.4 inches long, 72 inches wide, and 64.9 inches tall. That keeps it in subcompact territory. Ars places it below compact SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, which is the relevant comparison for shoppers cross-shopping size rather than badge theatrics.
The Telluride influence is mostly visual, based on Ars’ description. Buyers should not confuse the Seltos for a shrunken three-row family hauler. Kia has stretched the vehicle, especially between the wheels, but it remains one segment smaller than those mainstream compact SUVs.
The hybrid is the missing piece
Kia plans three powertrain variants for the 2027 Seltos, according to Ars. The one with the most technical interest is the 1.6-liter hybrid, but that version was not part of the immediate showroom story.
Ars reports that the hybrid Seltos is due in showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year. Kia has not released power, torque, or efficiency figures for it because the vehicle is still going through EPA certification.
That means the most important numbers for the hybrid remain absent. Kia can talk design, size, and starting price now. It is not yet giving buyers the data needed to judge whether the hybrid powertrain is merely a checkbox or the version that makes the Seltos stand out.
Ars said it does not expect to drive the hybrid Seltos until early next year. Until the EPA process is finished, the confirmed story is narrower: Kia has made the Seltos larger, kept it below compact-SUV size, priced it from $24,990 before delivery, and held back the hybrid’s key specifications.
This story draws on original reporting from Ars Technica.
