The mid-size SUV segment in India is a war zone. You have the comfort-oriented Hyundai Creta, the mileage-king Maruti Grand Vitara, and the tough Tata Curvv. But one car started the “premium SUV” trend—the Kia Seltos.
Now, freshly unveiled this December 2025, the new Kia Seltos promises to reclaim its throne. Is it just a facelift, or a proper upgrade? I’ve analyzed every inch of this new SUV to tell you if it’s worth your money.
Expected Price: ₹11.00 Lakh – ₹21.00 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)
Launch Status: Unveiled (Bookings Open), Price Announcement in Jan 2026.
Quick Specs: What’s Under the Hood?
The 2025 Seltos retains its “Power of Choice” philosophy. You get three distinct engine options catering to three different types of drivers.
| Feature | 1.5L NA Petrol | 1.5L Turbo Petrol | 1.5L CRDi Diesel |
| Power | 115 BHP | 160 BHP (Best in Class) | 116 BHP |
| Torque | 144 NM | 253 NM | 250 NM |
| Transmission | 6MT / IVT (Automatic) | 6iMT / 7DCT | 6iMT / 6AT |
| 0-100 kmph | ~11.5 Seconds | ~8.9 Seconds | ~11.2 Seconds |
| Claimed Mileage | 17.7 kmpl | 17.9 kmpl | 20.7 kmpl |
Exterior Design: Does it Turn Heads?
Kia has always been about design, and the 2025 model takes it a step further. It looks bolder, wider, and more aggressive than the Creta.
- Front: The “Tiger Nose” grille is now larger and connects seamlessly with new Star Map LED DRLs. The indicators are sequential (sweeping), which looks very premium.
- Side: It sits on new 18-inch Crystal Cut Alloy wheels (in the top trims) that fill the arches well. The ground clearance remains a healthy 190mm.
- Rear: The connected tail lamp is the highlight here. It’s not just a straight line; it has a jagged, heartbeat-like design that looks distinctive at night.
My Take: If the Grand Vitara looks “safe” and the Creta looks “polarizing,” the Seltos looks “sporty.” It has the best road presence in this segment.
Interior, Comfort & Features
Step inside, and it feels like you are sitting in a car from a segment above. The dual 10.25-inch panoramic display (one for the meter, one for infotainment) dominates the dashboard.
- Dashboard Quality: Soft-touch materials are used generously on the crash pad and door armrests. The “Piano Black” inserts look rich but are dust magnets—keep a microfiber cloth handy!
- Space: The rear seat space is adequate for two adults and a child. The under-thigh support is slightly better than the Grand Vitara but identical to the Creta.
- The “Wow” Features:
- Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof: Finally, the Seltos gets the big roof that Indians love. It opens wide and makes the cabin feel airy.
- Ventilated Seats: A blessing for Indian summers (Front seats only).
- Dual-Zone Climate Control: The driver and passenger can set different temperatures.
Engine Performance & Driving Dynamics
How does it drive on our chaotic Indian roads?
1. The City Drive
If you drive mostly in traffic (Mumbai/Bangalore style), pick the 1.5L NA Petrol with IVT. It is butter-smooth. The steering is light, making parking incredibly easy. However, if you need a sudden burst of speed for an overtake, the engine gets a bit vocal.
2. The Highway Beast (1.5L Turbo)
The 1.5L Turbo Petrol is the enthusiast’s choice. With 160 BHP, it pulls effortlessly. Cruising at 100-120 kmph is silent and stable. The suspension is slightly on the stiffer side (sporty), which means you might feel sharp potholes at low speeds, but high-speed stability is rock solid.
3. The Suspension
Kia has tuned the suspension to be softer than the 2019 model but stiffer than the Creta. It absorbs minor bumps well, but you will feel the thud of sharp expansion joints.
Read More : Tata Sierra 2025
Safety: 5 Stars or Not?
Safety was the Seltos’ Achilles’ heel in the past. Kia claims to have reinforced the structure in the 2025 update.
- Standard Safety: 6 Airbags, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), and Hill Hold Assist are standard across all variants.
- ADAS Level 2: The top trims come with 17 ADAS features like Autonomous Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control.
- Real World Use: The Adaptive Cruise Control works beautifully on expressways like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. But in city traffic, the “Forward Collision Warning” can be a bit too sensitive and annoying.
Real World Mileage: The Truth
ARAI figures are done in a lab. Here is what you will actually get on Indian roads:
| Engine | City Mileage (Real) | Highway Mileage (Real) |
| 1.5L Petrol (MT/IVT) | 10 – 12 kmpl | 15 – 16 kmpl |
| 1.5L Turbo Petrol (DCT) | 8 – 10 kmpl | 14 – 16 kmpl |
| 1.5L Diesel (AT/iMT) | 14 – 16 kmpl | 19 – 22 kmpl |
Note: If mileage is your #1 priority, the Diesel is still the undisputed king here. The Turbo Petrol is thirsty if you drive aggressively.
Comparison: Seltos vs. The Rivals
Auto-detected Rivals: Hyundai Creta and Maruti Grand Vitara.
| Feature | Kia Seltos 2025 | Hyundai Creta | Maruti Grand Vitara |
| Engine Option | Turbo Petrol Beast (160 BHP) | Same Engines as Seltos | Hybrid Tech (Mileage King) |
| Fuel Efficiency | Moderate | Moderate | High (27 kmpl Hybrid) |
| Handling | Sporty & Firm | Soft & Comfortable | Balanced |
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Panoramic | Panoramic |
| Price (Top Model) | ₹20.50 L (Est) | ₹20.15 L | ₹19.99 L |
Winner:
- Value for Money: Maruti Grand Vitara (if you want mileage).
- Performance & Tech: Kia Seltos 2025 (Better looks and sporty feel).
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Kia Seltos 2025 is not just a car; it’s a gadget on wheels that drives well. It fixes the biggest complaints of the previous generation (missing sunroof, ADAS).
Buy it if:
- You want the best-looking SUV in the segment.
- You enjoy driving and want the 160 BHP Turbo power.
- You want a tech-loaded cabin with ADAS and dual screens.
Skip it if:
- Your daily running is very high (50km+) inside the city – Buy the Grand Vitara Hybrid instead.
- You want a pillow-soft suspension for bad roads – The Hyundai Creta is slightly more comfortable.
My Score: 8.5/10
FAQs (People Also Ask)
What is the waiting period for the Kia Seltos 2025?
Since bookings just opened, expect a waiting period of 2 to 3 months for popular variants like the HTX+ and GTX+.
Does the 2025 Seltos have a CNG option?
No, Kia does not offer a factory-fitted CNG option yet.
Is the maintenance cost high?
Kia’s service is generally affordable. Expect a service bill of approx. ₹6,000 – ₹8,000 per year for petrol variants.
Does it have a 360-degree camera?
Yes, the HTX+ variants and above come with a high-resolution 360-degree camera with a blind-view monitor.