Kia Seltos for Ireland: First Look, Engine Options & What to Expect

Caroline previews the new Kia Seltos, expected in Ireland this summer with pricing to be announced closer to launch.

If you haven’t heard of the Kia Seltos yet, you’re not alone, but that’s about to change. The Kia Seltos is actually Kia’s second bestselling car globally, behind the ever-popular Kia Sportage.

Now, for the first time, it’s arriving in Europe and it’s set to land in Ireland in 2026.

The new Kia Seltos is a new SUV coming to Ireland in 2026

Is the Kia Seltos bigger than the Sportage?

The Seltos sits in the compact SUV segment, similar in positioning to the Kia Sportage, but slightly smaller. It measures around 4.4 metres in length. However, it still offers seating for five and a generous boot.

When it arrives, it will rival other SUVs like the Toyota Corolla Cross, Dacia Bigster and the Renault Symbioz. It’s aimed at buyers who want practicality, value for money, SUV styling and space, but who aren’t quite ready to switch to a fully electric car like the EV3 or EV5.

What engine options will the Kia Seltos have?

The Seltos is likely to arrive in Ireland from this summer with a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine (180hp) and choice of manual or automatic gearbox. Later in 2026, the petrol will be joined by a more powerful and fuel-efficient full hybrid (154hp) that also includes a handy vehicle-to-load feature. This allows other devices to be powered directly from the car’s battery from a socket in the boot (3.6kW).

Kia Seltos Design

The Seltos design takes inspiration from the Kia EV3 and the Sportage. At the front, the Seltos get a wider grille and unique lighting signature that helps it stand out. Kia’s star-map lighting at the rear adds a stylish touch. 16-, 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels are available. There’s contrasting cladding and satin silver colour finishes that add to its chunky SUV charm.

There will be three trim lines available:

- Baseline
- GT-Line (sportier styling, body-coloured trim and interior upgrades)
- X-Line (extra rugged with dark gun-metal trim)

There are also Europe-exclusive colours, including Tan Beige, Denim Blue and Pale Grey.

Kia Seltos Interior

Inside it features familiar tech from other models in the Kia range with dual 12.3-inch displays and 64-colour ambient lighting. The material finish feels more durable than luxurious, with a lot of grey plastic on display so it’s not as impressive inside overall as the Sportage. However it does get Kia’s relaxation seats with synthetic leather finishes available. Other available features include a panoramic roof and premium audio system.

Kia Seltos Practicality

It’s narrower than the Sportage and that’s most apparent in the back seat, which will be most comfortable for passengers on the outer seats. Legroom is more generous than a Corolla Cross and it feels more family-friendly. The rear seats can also recline for more comfort.

How much boot space does it have?

The Kia Seltos offers a competitive 536 litres of boot space, along with an adjustable boot floor for added flexibility.

Kia Seltos Price Ireland

Kia Ireland has not announced pricing yet for the Seltos in Ireland but expect it to undercut the Sportage.

Final thoughts

The Kia Seltos might be new to Ireland, but globally it’s already one of Kia’s biggest success stories. With its mix of practicality and powertrains, it’s likely to be a very relevant option for Irish buyers in 2026. If you’re not quite ready to go electric but still want something modern and efficient, this could be one to watch.