Kia Seltos facelift spied in X-Line guise ahead of launch

The interior will see a new twin, connected screen layout, much like the Mahindra XUV700.

Published On May 31, 2023 08:00:00 AM

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The Kia Seltos is soon due its first mid-lifecycle update in India this year, and was recently spied testing in its top-spec X-Line guise on our roads. The Seltos facelift was unveiled about a year ago for international markets, and will come with a revised front and rear design, a tweaked dashboard, and a lot of new equipment, but will carry forward the existing 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines unchanged. Additionally, a turbo-petrol engine is also going to make a comeback in the Seltos with the new 1.5-litre unit from the Verna joining the line-up.

Seltos facelift will come with redesigned front and rear end
Interior will be updated with new twin, connected screen layout
160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol to join the Seltos line-up

Kia Seltos facelift: exterior design

The recently spied test mule can be seen wearing camouflage at the front and rear, suggesting where most of the changes are concentrated. Up front, the Seltos facelift will get an updated grille that’s much larger than before and gets a new mesh pattern. The ‘Tiger Nose’ design motif will be retained, but the LED DRLs will be repositioned within the grille instead of at the top as in the current model.

And while the headlamps will remain similar in shape, they will get new internals with revised LED DRL signatures, some of which is partially visible in these images. The front bumper will also get a new design with a revised central air intake and fog lamp enclosures.

There will be significant changes at the rear as well. The Seltos will get new vertically oriented tail lamps that will be connected via a light bar, and that’s clearly visible in these images as well. In fact, the updates to the rear will not just be to the soft plastic parts, but the entire tail gate will be new. The rear bumper will get a dual-tone finish with more contouring, repositioned reflectors and a faux skid plate. Lastly, the 17-inch alloy wheels will also boast a fresh design.

Kia Seltos facelift: interior and features

The biggest update to the interior of the Seltos facelift will be a new twin, connected screen layout. Currently, the instrument cluster and infotainment screen in the Seltos are housed within the same binnacle, but are separated with the instrument cluster being a lot deeper set. With the update, the Seltos will get a seamlessly connected screen, much like what we have seen on the Mahindra XUV700. This will also bring about a slight redesign for the dashboard.

Kia Seltos facelift interior (LHD version pictured here)

Elsewhere, the Seltos facelift will get slimmer central AC vents, repositioned switchgear for the HVAC controls and a new centre console with a rotary drive selector for the automatic variants.

The Seltos is also expected to see a notable upgrade to its equipment list. Chief among these will be a panoramic sunroof that’s almost become the norm of the segment. There could also be improved infotainment software, and even ADAS features.

Kia Seltos facelift: engine options

Mechanically, the Seltos facelift will carry forward the existing 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines with their respective manual and automatic gearboxes. And while the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine has been discontinued on the Seltos, a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine will be making its way into the Seltos. This engine debuted with the new Hyundai Verna and produces 160hp and 253Nm of peak torque. And while it is offered with a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DCT gearbox in the Verna, it remains to be seen what gearbox options Kia offers with the Seltos.

Kia Seltos facelift: launch and rivals

Our sources tell us that the Seltos facelift will be launched in the market around July or August this year. For all the updates that it will bring along, expect the prices to go up as well. Upon launch, the Seltos will continue to rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and MG Astor. Even Honda and Citroen will soon join this segment with the Elevate and C3 Aircross, respectively.

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