2027 Kia Seltos First Drive: Bigger, Better, and Ready to Keep Dominating

• Larger dimensions improve passenger comfort while sharper styling gives the new Seltos a much stronger road presence overall.

• Turbo engine remains eager, automatic transmission impresses, and chassis upgrades noticeably improve everyday driving comfort and refinement together.

• Hybrid powertrain arriving soon should make the already compelling Seltos an even tougher competitor for everyone shopping.

Introduced for the 2019 model year and refreshed for 2024, the Kia Seltos quickly became one of Kia Canada’s biggest success stories. Between its launch and 2026, more than 111,000 examples found homes across Canada, making it the brand’s second-best-selling model behind the long-established Sportage.

Now there’s an all-new second-generation 2027 Seltos, and it’s immediately obvious Kia wasn’t interested in making only minor tweaks. This is no longer simply a stylish crossover. It has matured into something that looks and drives much more like a proper SUV.

Pricing starts at $28,495 for a front-wheel-drive LX. Adding all-wheel drive costs another $2,000. The X-Line I drove starts at $39,295, while the Limited sits another $2,000 above that.

Vertical Size

The transformation starts with the styling. Kia’s “Opposites United” design language is on full display, combining elements that really shouldn’t work together but somehow do. The front end is upright and bold, and you’ll notice a recurring vertical theme throughout the entire vehicle. It creates a tougher, more confident appearance without going too far.

My tester is the X-Line model, which adds more black accents and attractive 19-inch wheels. Finished in Terrain Brown, the contrast between the paint and all the dark trim works extremely well. Around back, the slim horizontal taillights are another highlight. They occupy very little space visually, yet give the rear a clean, wide appearance. The oversized roof spoiler is another detail that suits the design perfectly.

Beyond styling, the biggest improvement is simply size. The new Seltos is 45 mm longer, 30 mm wider and roughly 20 mm taller. More importantly, the wheelbase stretches by 60 mm, and that’s immediately noticeable once you climb inside.

Before getting there, it’s worth mentioning one annoyance. The flush-style powered exterior door handles might look modern, but they’re awkward to operate. Even worse, they can pinch your fingers when they close. That’s one styling trend I could happily do without.

More User-friendly than ever

Open the standard power liftgate (from EX Premium) on the X-Line, and you’ll find a generous cargo area offering 786 litres of space. The load floor adjusts between two heights, creating hidden storage underneath when needed. I also like Kia’s accessory rail system that’s beginning to appear across several models. It’s a clever feature for organizing cargo.

Rear-seat space benefits enormously from the longer wheelbase. Legroom is excellent, and squeezing three adults across the rear bench is entirely possible for shorter trips. Even better, the rear seatbacks recline, making longer journeys noticeably more comfortable.

Up front, the X-Line’s cabin leaves a strong impression. Material quality, fit, and finish all punch well above expectations for this segment. I’d even go so far as to say that parts of the interior have an almost premium appearance.

The dashboard is anchored by twin 12-inch displays separated by a five-inch information screen. Lower trims still receive a digital display, although with reduced functionality and in size. Thankfully, Kia has listened to customer feedback and kept physical buttons for key controls. It’s a welcome decision that makes everyday operation far easier than relying exclusively on touchscreens.

Storage is plentiful, with a wireless phone charger, practical cupholders and a useful centre console. Visibility is generally good, although the thick A-pillars create a slightly larger blind spot than I’d prefer.

Two Ways, for Now

Under the hood, the powertrain lineup remains familiar. The standard engine is a naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder producing 147 hp, paired with Kia’s IVT transmission and available with either front- or all-wheel drive.

My X-Line came equipped with the turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder generating 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. That’s five horsepower fewer than before, but unless someone handed you the specification sheet, you’d never notice.

What impressed me most wasn’t the engine. It was the automatic transmission. On winding roads, it consistently selected the right gear, resisted unnecessary upshifts and made excellent use of the available power. It was surprisingly enjoyable and worked far better than I expected.

The real improvements, however, come from refinement. Cabin noise has been reduced, ride comfort has improved and overall NVH levels are noticeably lower than before. This is simply a quieter, more relaxed vehicle to drive.

Kia also revised the suspension to deliver better compliance. Over broken pavement and larger bumps, there’s more suspension travel and better absorption than the previous generation offered. Sharp impacts still reveal that the dampers occasionally struggle to control weight transfers and unsprung masses perfectly, but it’s a very minor criticism.

Steering remains well judged, while the brakes perform exactly as expected. Put everything together and the driving experience has advanced several steps compared with the outgoing Seltos.

Soon HEV

There’s another reason to keep it on your shopping list. A hybrid version arrives later in 2026 and will be offered in nearly every trim level, including LX, EX and X-Line. Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions are planned, with the AWD model using an electric motor on the rear axle in a layout similar to Toyota’s system. Assuming pricing remains competitive, that hybrid could become one of the most attractive choices in the segment.

What to Watch For

Kia hasn’t introduced entirely new engines here, which is encouraging from an ownership perspective since both gasoline powertrains already have an established track record.

The hybrid model will naturally introduce extra complexity, so long-term durability will be worth monitoring once it reaches customers. As always, regular maintenance and software updates remain important for long-term ownership.

111,000 More Copies and Then Some

Perhaps the biggest reason the Seltos remains so compelling is Kia’s formula. The company consistently delivers generous equipment, distinctive styling and competitive pricing. That combination is difficult to ignore.

Competition certainly isn’t lacking. Buyers will also consider the Volkswagen Taos, Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, Nissan Kicks, and plenty of others. Even so, the Seltos continues to carve out its own identity rather than blending into the crowd.

The 2027 Kia Seltos builds on an already successful formula without losing sight of what made it popular in the first place. It’s roomier, quieter, more refined and still packed with value. Add the upcoming hybrid to the equation, and it becomes extremely difficult not to place the Seltos near the very top of any subcompact SUV shopping list.