New Kia Seltos 2026 Preview for UAE: What's Expected to Change

Abu Dhabi: The mid-size SUV, Seltos, which has been retailing in UAE showrooms today, is likely to stay unchanged for most of 2026 based on what appears to be the Korean brand’s strategy right now for the Emirates. It appears that Kia is sticking with the current Seltos facelifted version that came to the market back in 2023, which actually means familiar styling, proven engines, and the tech package buyers already know. For anyone shopping right now, these characteristics make the Seltos a safe bet with no surprises.

But here's what you should know: a completely new-generation Seltos launched in India this January. It's already on the roads there. Different markets will receive the new-generation Seltos throughout 2026 with other upcoming SUV models. But what about the UAE? There is no official confirmation on the launch in the UAE, but realistically, knowing how Kia usually operates, it might reach our shores by late 2026 or early 2027.

Interestingly, the 2026 Kia Seltos is not just a mere facelift. It's a full redesign with bigger dimensions, an entirely new interior, upgraded tech, and Level 2 ADAS safety. We tell you everything you need to know about this all-new Seltos.  

The Size Difference Is Real

Here is the first biggest change you are going to witness. The new Seltos grows in every direction that matters. The length increases by 95 mm to 4,460 mm, and the width adds 30 mm, reaching 1,830 mm. The wheelbase stretches 80 mm longer to 2,690 mm. These are certainly not subtle changes, but they make the SUV a lot bigger than its predecessor. 

That extra wheelbase goes straight into rear legroom. This also means the backseat passengers get noticeably more space. The current UAE-spec Seltos at 2,610 mm wheelbase is already decent, but the new 2,690 mm wheelbase puts it ahead of most competitors.

Interestingly, height drops 10 mm to 1,635 mm, giving the new Seltos a lower, sportier stance. The ground clearance stays at 200 mm, which works fine for the UAE roads but is not the best in its segment. The boot space is 447 litres, which is just okay; this suggests Kia focuses more on passenger space than cargo space. 

Dimension	2023 Facelift (Current UAE)	2026 New Generation
Length	4,365 mm	4,460 mm (+95 mm)
Width	1,800 mm	1,830 mm (+30 mm)
Height	1,645 mm	1,635 mm (-10 mm)
Wheelbase	2,610 mm	2,690 mm (+80 mm)
Ground Clearance	190 mm	200 mm (+10 mm)
Boot Space	447 liters	447 liters

Change in Design 

The current Seltos has a smooth, almost European look; the LED headlights flow horizontally, the grille is refined, and the overall stance is conservative. It's sleek and attractive without being aggressive.

However, the new models completely abandon this design approach. Instead, it now has vertical LED daytime running lights called Star Map DRLs that dominate the front, with 224 individual LEDs creating a 3D effect that integrates with turn signals. The grille is wider and more upright and comes with what Kia calls the Digital Tiger Face. The flush door handles appear across the lineup, a first for this segment in the Indian market and likely here too.

There are noticeable changes too; the rear gets full-width connected LED tail lamps stretching across the entire tailgate. It's the same design language from Kia's EV9 and other newer models. And this is not a universal design element because it is obvious that some people will love it, and others will think it looks too busy, too angular, and too aggressive. But nobody will call it boring or generic; that in itself is a huge win, something Kia always manages to do. This essentially means the current Seltos blends in. The new one stands out.

Key design highlights:

• Three wheel sizes: 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch alloys depending on variant
• 18-inch crystal-cut wheels with colored brake calipers look particularly good
• Lower and wider stance, more crossover than traditional compact SUV
• Flush door handles are a segment-first feature

Interior 

Kia and Hyundai consistently adopt a strategy of surprising the market with innovative, upscale, or exciting features, prompting their competitors to reveal features that eventually become standard. The current UAE-spec Seltos interior is perfectly fine. The dual 10.25-inch screens give you 20.5 inches total, the materials are decent, and the layout is logical. Frankly, it works.

The new Seltos makes it feel outdated as expected, as the dual 12.3-inch screens create what Kia calls the Trinity Panoramic Display, 30 inches of screen real estate dominating the dashboard, which is nearly 10 inches more than before.

More importantly, the system runs on a Snapdragon 8155 processor. This is the same chip powering newer Kias and other premium vehicles. Give is likely to change your experience with menus loading faster, transitions being smoother, and lag being virtually eliminated. The current system is not slow, but the new one is noticeably quicker, something you would expect, and Kia is promising.

What actually changes inside:

• Dedicated climate control panel with physical buttons and knobs; the current model buries climate settings in touchscreen menus
• 64-color ambient lighting throughout cabin—dashboard, door panels, footwells
• EV6-derived steering wheel with better grip texture and thumb placement
• Front seats with three-level ventilation: the current model has basic ventilation
• Driver's seat with 10-way power adjustment, memory function, and relaxation mode that reclines automatically when parked

Here's the feature nobody talks about but passengers will notice: rear seats now recline. The current model has fixed rear seats. The new one lets rear passengers adjust the recline angle, making long highway drives significantly more comfortable.

Powertrain 

While there have been many changes to the SUV, the new 2026 Kia Seltos retains familiar powertrain options globally, with three main engines across markets, though the UAE skips diesel entirely.

Global Powertrains

Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission	Notes
1.5L NA Petrol	115 hp	144 Nm	6MT / CVT	Base engine, carryover output
1.5L Turbo Petrol	160 hp	253 Nm	6-iMT / 7DCT	Matches prior 1.4T, performance choice
1.5L Diesel	116 hp	250 Nm	6MT / 6AT	Global markets only, unavailable in the UAE

UAE Relevance

GCC specs stick to 1.5T petrol (likely 158 hp, DCT auto, FWD), aligning with local petrol-only preference and emissions norms.

Also the power figures are unchanged from the previous generations, as Kia focused on refinement rather than outright performance increases. The new K3 platform, which has now been extended to the new Seltos, uses more high-strength steel and better sound insulation, so the cabin should be quieter at highway speeds.

India doesn't get a hybrid version. Some global markets will, but it's not confirmed for the UAE. Past strategies suggest Kia UAE waits to see hybrid adoption elsewhere before committing. So you can expect petrol-only at launch, possibly hybrid later if demand exists.

Fuel efficiency improves slightly thanks to reduced weight and better aerodynamics, but don't expect dramatic changes like the other most Fuel-Efficient SUVs. The naturally aspirated petrol should deliver around 17-18 km/l. The turbo will manage 16-17 km/l. These are realistic figures, not optimistic marketing claims.

Safety

The current UAE Seltos has six airbags standard, which is good. Electronic stability control, hill-start assist, ABS with EBD, and tyre pressure monitoring are all there. It's adequate for 2023 but not impressive.

The new Seltos gets Level 2 ADAS with 21 autonomous safety features. This includes:

• Forward Collision Warning with junction detection
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Blind Spot View Monitor
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Highway Driving Assist
• 360-degree surround camera
• Parking Distance Warning on all four sides

These are not top-variant exclusives in India; quite intriguingly, they're available across multiple variants. If Kia UAE follows the same strategy, mid-range trims will have serious safety tech.

The platform itself uses more ultra-high-strength steel. The crash structure is redesigned for better energy absorption. It is early days; India expects the new Seltos to achieve 5-star Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP ratings. The UAE doesn't have local crash testing, but the structural improvements carry over.

While the six airbags have been kept as standard, which is acceptable but not exceptional. Some competitors are moving to eight or even ten airbags. Kia has stuck with six airbags, which is somewhat curious for the brand. Let's just hope that they will bring in more in the facelift later. 

The Features That Actually Matter

So buyers in the UAE will really like what the new Seltos gets, and like always, Kia will stay at the forefront of this game and make them popular; ultimately, the competition will follow. Here are the features that affect daily ownership in the UAE:

Dual-zone climate control: essential for UAE heat. The new system cools faster and maintains temperature better than before. Rear AC vents ensure back seat passengers don't suffer.

Ventilated seats: The current model has basic ventilation. The new one adds three intensity levels, which makes a real difference in summer. You can dial in exactly how much cooling you want.

Wireless charging: Present in both generations, but the new pad is larger and holds phones more securely during sharp turns.

Panoramic sunroof: Both have it. The new one is dual-pane, meaning it has two separate glass sections. Functionally similar, but the new design lets more light in.

Bose audio system: 8 speakers in both. The new one sounds marginally better due to improved cabin acoustics, but it's not a dramatic upgrade.

Screen responsiveness: This is where the new Seltos genuinely excels. The Snapdragon 8155 chip makes everything faster. Maps load quicker, voice commands respond better, and there's no lag when switching between functions.

Digital key functionality: The new model adds smartphone-as-key capability. Lock, unlock, and start the car using your phone. The current model doesn't have this.

Over-the-air updates: The new Seltos can receive software updates wirelessly, adding features or fixing bugs without visiting the dealer. The current model can't do this.

Price and Launch

Current UAE pricing starts at AED 80,850 for the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated with CVT. The 1.4-litre turbo DCT sits at the top end around AED 95,000-100,000 depending on the dealer and negotiation. The Hyundai Creta, which shares the same platform and engines, starts at AED 69,900—an AED 10,950 gap for mechanically similar vehicles.

Kia launched the new Seltos in India in January 2026. Korea and other markets get it throughout 2026. UAE buyers face an uncertain wait with no official confirmation. Based on typical product cycles, expect Q4 2026 at the earliest, more likely Q1 or Q2 2027. Kia UAE historically trails global launches by 12-18 months for major redesigns.

Early estimates suggest AED 77,000 to AED 105,000 for the full range when it arrives. The base naturally aspirated CVT might start around AED 77,000-79,000. The turbo DCT could reach AED 100,000-105,000 fully loaded. These are educated guesses, not confirmed figures. Dealers will likely offer discounts on current-stock 2025/2026 models starting mid-2026, potentially AED 5,000-7,000 off list price.

Conclusion

The 2026 Seltos makes a genuine generational leap over the 2023 facelift, with significantly better screens, modern safety tech, bolder styling, and a more spacious interior. But UAE buyers should expect a long wait, with no confirmed launch date or pricing. The current model remains competitive and available now, making it the sensible choice for urgent buyers who can negotiate discounts. Those buyers patient enough and willing to wait until late 2026 or early 2027 will get a substantially better vehicle, assuming Kia prices it aggressively to compete with the Affordable SUVs in the UAE. The choice comes down to urgency versus patience and known reliability versus unknown pricing. But what is for sure is that the Seltos has gotten a lot better, and it is exciting to see once it reaches the showroom near you.