The all-new 2027 Kia Seltos combines style, space, and valueKia AmericaThe redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos arrives with a familiar assignment: deliver the maneuverability and value of a small SUV without feeling small, inexpensive or compromised. Kia's solution is to make nearly every part of the Seltos more substantial than the previous model. The second-generation model is longer and wider, rides on a wheelbase stretched by 2.4 inches and adopts the upright proportions and visual confidence of the larger Telluride.That resemblance is not subtle. The squared-off body, vertical amber running lights, broad grille and crisp roofline give the Seltos a "mini Telluride" appearance, particularly in Terrain Brown with a contrasting black roof. X-Line models add dark exterior trim, unique bumpers and side sills, while the turbocharged X-Line SX wears 19-inch wheels. Flush door handles automatically extend as the driver approaches on high trims, reinforcing the sense that this is no longer an entry-level SUV trying to look inexpensive.Kia lists two gasoline-powered trims, ranging from the $24,990 LX with the 2.0-liter engine to the $32,790 X-Line SX with the 1.6-liter option. That relatively narrow pricing spread lets shoppers move up the range without facing the dramatic price escalation increasingly common among small SUVs.The top-trim Seltos X-Line SX rides on 19-inch black wheelsKia Seltos: A Cabin Designed To Feel One Class LargerThe same strategy continues inside. The dashboard's horizontal layout, squared steering wheel and nearly continuous digital display clearly borrow from Kia's newer and more expensive SUVs. A 12.3-inch infotainment screen is standard, while upper versions combine it with a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a five-inch climate display. The climate display is partially obscured by the steering wheel from some seating positions, but it never becomes a serious usability problem.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe graphics look sharp and modern, but Kia wisely retained large, clearly labeled physical controls for frequently used functions. The buttons, switches and rotary controls also have a satisfying action, avoiding the flimsy feel that can undermine an otherwise attractive economy-car interior.The 2027 Kia Seltos can be equipped with heated and ventilated front seatsThe X-Line SX's available heated and ventilated seats, driver memory system, heated steering wheel, panoramic roof and surround-view camera would not have appeared in a mainstream subcompact SUV a few years ago. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the available connected infotainment system can stream services including YouTube, Disney+ and Netflix while the vehicle is parked.More important than the screen count is the additional room created by the longer wheelbase. Rear-seat legroom measures 39 inches, and the second row feels genuinely adult-friendly. Kia lists 103.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, while cargo space measures 27.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded.USB-C ports mounted in the front seatbacks give rear passengers convenient charging access, while an available power liftgate makes the cargo area easier to use. The result is a cabin that makes the Seltos' exterior footprint seem deceptively small.The more powerful 1.6-liter turbo engine provides the Seltos with responsive accelerationKia Seltos: Turbo Power Makes The DifferenceI first drove the X-Line SX on the twisting roads above Lake Elsinore, California. Its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder produces 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, routed through a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.AdvertisementAdvertisementThose numbers do not make the Seltos fast, but the turbo engine has enough low- and midrange response to move the SUV without strain. The transmission shifts cleanly and predictably, giving the powertrain a natural character missing from many small crossovers equipped with continuously variable transmissions.The X-Line SX also benefits from an independent multilink rear suspension, standard on all-wheel-drive models. Front-wheel-drive versions use a simpler torsion-beam design. On a winding two-lane road, the turbo Seltos feels composed rather than overtly sporty. Body motions are controlled, the steering ratio is reasonably quick, and ride quality remains comfortable over broken pavement.With 8.1 inches of ground clearance the Seltos can handle light off road adventuresSport mode adds some urgency to the accelerator and transmission programming, but this is not a performance SUV and does not pretend to be one. Kia could have made the suspension unnecessarily stiff in pursuit of artificial athleticism. Instead, the Seltos delivers the secure, predictable behavior most buyers actually want.Its available 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Snow, Mud and Sand terrain modes add useful capability for poor weather, dirt roads and trailhead access. Neither feature turns the Seltos into a serious off-road vehicle, but the X-Line should comfortably handle the unpaved roads most owners will encounter.The lower-trim Seltos models feature a 2.0-liter non-turbo engineKia Seltos: The 2.0-Liter Is Adequate, Not ExcitingI also drove a front-wheel-drive Seltos EX with the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque and uses Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission, a fancy term for Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).AdvertisementAdvertisementAcceleration is predictably slower, and the transmission allows engine speed to rise without the stepped shifts of a conventional automatic. Enthusiasts will prefer the turbo, but the 2.0-liter model never feels unusably weak in normal suburban traffic. It represents the practical, high-volume choice rather than the entertaining one.It also makes a compelling financial case. The front-wheel-drive 2.0-liter earns an EPA rating of 28 mpg city, 33 highway and 30 combined. All-wheel-drive 2.0-liter models are rated at 28 mpg combined, while the turbocharged X-Line SX returns 26 mpg combined.Rear seat legroom is class leading at 39 inchesBuyers can therefore choose between lower cost and better fuel economy or stronger acceleration, all-wheel drive and additional capability. The turbo is unquestionably more satisfying, but the base engine's efficiency and lower purchase price will matter more to many shoppers.Kia also includes an unusually broad collection of driver-assistance technology. Forward collision avoidance with pedestrian, cyclist and junction-turning detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-following assistance, smart cruise control with stop-and-go capability, parking sensors and hands-on steering-wheel detection are standard or widely available across the range.AdvertisementAdvertisementUpper trims can add blind-spot camera views, a 360-degree monitor and more advanced highway assistance. These systems generally work without constantly drawing attention to themselves, which is exactly what well-calibrated safety technology should do.The Kia Seltos starts at $26,485 and tops out around $37,000.Kia Seltos: A Stronger Value PropositionThe redesigned Seltos succeeds because its upgrades support the vehicle's core mission. It is roomier without becoming difficult to park, more upscale without abandoning physical controls and more capable without sacrificing ride comfort.The base powertrain remains merely adequate, and the continuously variable transmission is unlikely to inspire anyone. But the turbocharged X-Line SX feels polished and responsive enough to justify its premium.Even a heavily optioned example remains near $37,000, while the lower trims begin below $25,000 before destination charges. That range gives shoppers meaningful choices instead of forcing every desirable feature into one expensive configuration. A hybrid version is scheduled to expand the lineup later in 2026, potentially adding another appealing balance of performance and efficiency.AdvertisementAdvertisementWith Telluride-inspired design, exceptional interior space, approachable technology and sensible road manners, Kia has transformed the 2027 Kia Seltos from a competent value choice into one of the segment's most convincing all-around packages.This article was originally published on Forbes.com