Kia Seltos 2026 is the new segment benchmark! | #MotorIncClips

Summary

The new Kia Seltos offers a mix of design changes and improved features aimed at broadening its appeal. While it retains its youthful essence, the latest model leans towards a more family-friendly approach. The new design, which some find polarizing, includes innovative headlamp styling and a larger, more spacious build. Despite these upgrades, the car is priced competitively, undercutting rivals like the Sierra while providing more value. The Seltos is a step forward, showcasing Kia's ability to balance affordability with modernity in a tough global market.

Takeaways

• 😀 The new Kia Seltos doesn't drastically redefine the segment's standards but offers incremental improvements and solid value.
• 😀 Kia has aggressively priced the new Seltos, making it cheaper than its predecessor despite offering more features and a larger size.
• 😀 There's a global pressure on automotive prices, and Kia has adapted to this by focusing on affordability while maintaining a premium experience.
• 😀 The Seltos is shifting its target audience from a youthful 'badass' car to a more family-friendly vehicle.
• 😀 The new Seltos features a design shift, moving towards a more boxy look reminiscent of the Jeep Renegade, which has received mixed reactions.
• 😀 The Seltos introduces a polarizing new headlamp design that splits the traditional shape into two elements with DRLs in between.
• 😀 The new Seltos is physically larger, with a longer wheelbase and wider dimensions, offering more space while being slightly shorter in height.
• 😀 Some may initially find the Seltos’ design polarizing, but many come around and begin to appreciate the new look as they get used to it.
• 😀 The new headlamp design and other aesthetic changes are only available in the top two variants, the GT line and Xline.
• 😀 More in-depth content about the Seltos, including questions and discussions, is available on the app, which is free to download and access.

Q & A

Why are the new generation cells not meeting the expectations for features and gimmicks?

The new generation cells don't aim to set a new standard in terms of features and gimmicks. Instead, they focus on solidifying the value proposition and improving the overall experience, rather than solely relying on flashy innovations.

Why did Kia delay revealing the prices for the new car?

Kia had to make some serious decisions regarding the pricing, considering market pressures and their strategy. The delay allowed them to finalize the pricing to ensure the car was competitively positioned while maintaining its value.

How does the new Kia Seltos compare in terms of pricing to its competitors?

The new Kia Seltos is priced aggressively, undercutting the rival Sierra by a significant amount—around 50,000 to 1.3 lakh rupees cheaper, depending on the variant, despite offering more features and being a larger car.

What is the significance of Kia’s pricing strategy amidst market pressures?

The pricing strategy reflects Kia's attempt to balance affordability with high-quality features, catering to the pressure in the global automotive market for more affordable cars, especially in the Indian market.

What is Kia’s new direction with the Seltos design?

Kia is shifting the Seltos towards being a more family-oriented car, compared to the youthful and edgy design of the previous generation. The new design leans more toward practicality and broad appeal, making it more family-friendly.

How has the design of the Seltos evolved compared to the previous generation?

The new design of the Seltos is more boxy and utilitarian, with elements like round headlamps and a prominent, bold grille. The design has polarized opinions but has grown on many, suggesting it’s a step forward, albeit controversial.

What makes the new Seltos design polarizing?

The front design, with its boxy look and unique headlamps that are split into two elements with DRLs in between, has divided opinions. Some find it striking, while others feel it’s an unusual departure from the sleek design of the previous model.

How has the size of the new Seltos changed from the previous generation?

The new Seltos is physically bigger, with a longer wheelbase (8 cm) and an overall length increase of around 100 mm. Despite being wider, it’s slightly shorter in height, giving it a more stretched appearance.

What are the differences in the variants of the new Seltos?

The new Seltos offers distinctive features in its higher-end variants, such as the GT line and Xline, including the new headlamp design. Lower variants, however, do not feature this design, making the higher variants stand out visually.

How has Kia maintained the balance between design, pricing, and content in the new Seltos?

Kia has struck a balance by maintaining a competitive price despite the increase in size and equipment. They’ve ensured that the new generation is a smarter-looking car, offering more features and a more family-friendly experience, all while keeping it affordable.