The new Kia Seltos has officially arrived in South Africa, again available with 3 distinct engine options (including a 1.5 CRDi mill). Here’s what this 2nd-gen crossover costs…
- New SP3-series Seltos makes local landfall
- Range comprises 7 derivatives at launch
- All 3 engine options carry over unchanged
- Most variants more affordable than before
- Switches to slightly shorter service plan
The new Kia Seltos has officially touched down in South Africa, again available with a trio of engine options. Though the line-up has been pared back a little, the brand’s local distributor has added a new “X-Line” grade, while also making several variants more affordable than before.
Revealed in India in December 2025, the 2nd-generation Kia Seltos is considerably larger that the original. Built on the Seoul-based brand’s K3 platform, the SP3-series Seltos measures 4 460 mm from front to back, making it a significant 95 mm longer than the outgoing, likewise Indian-built version. The wheelbase has grown, too, increasing some 80 mm to 2 690 mm.
Interestingly, the new Kia Seltos portfolio in SA numbers 7 derivatives, down from 10 variants in the outgoing range. From what we can tell, all 3 engine options carry over unchanged, while trim levels again include LS, LX and GT-Line, along with a new X-Line grade (meaning the EX and EX+ specifications fall away). Note the standard service plan now has parameters of 3 years or 45 000 km rather than the previous 4-year/60 000 km arrangement.
The line-up kicks off with the Seltos 1.5 LS 6MT, priced at R389 995 – raising the range’s starting price by R10 000. This entry-level derivative’s naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine makes an unchanged 84 kW and 144 Nm, peak outputs that are delivered to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Again offering a continuously variable transmission, the Seltos 1.5 LS CVT is priced at R414 995, some R10 000 less than before. Next come the Seltos 1.5 LX CVT (R464 995), which is more affordable than before by R28 000. The Seltos 1.5 GT-Line CVT costs R514 995, some R18 000 lower than the EX variant it effectively replaces.
Fans of turbodiesel motors will be glad to hear Kia’s 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder oil-burner has survived the move to a new generation, again offering 85 kW and 250 Nm to the front axle through a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Seltos 1.5 CRDi GT-Line 6AT is priced at R544 995 (some R17 000 lower than the outgoing EX version), while the new-to-the-range Seltos 1.5 CRDi X-Line 6AT comes in at R614 995. From what we can tell, the X-Line features various darkened exterior trim elements.
Finally, the Seltos 1.5 T-GDi GT-Line 7DCT is likewise priced at R614 995, representing a decrease of R12 000 compared to the outgoing flagship derivative. This variant’s turbocharged 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor is linked to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and again offers maximum outputs of 118 kW and 253 Nm.
The new model’s increased exterior dimensions have resulted in what Kia terms “improved” cabin space and “generous headroom and legroom for all passengers”, while the luggage compartment now offers 536 litres (up 103 litres) of packing room. The SP3-series Seltos also features 2nd-row reclining (and sliding) seats that are adjustable by a total of 24 degrees.
While local specifications have yet to be confirmed, it’s worth noting highlights of the Indian range include a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour mood lighting, a head-up display, a surround-view monitor and a panoramic display that combines a pair of 12.3-inch screens with a dedicated climate control panel.
The original Seltos launched in SA in February 2020, before a facelifted version touched down in April 2024 (with entry-level LS derivatives arriving a year later). In 2023, the South Korean firm’s local distributor sold 2 230 units of the Seltos, a figure that fell to 1 652 units in 2024 before bouncing back to 2 409 units in 2025. An additional 1 351 units were registered in SA over the opening half of 2026.
What does the new Kia Seltos cost in South Africa?
| DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| Seltos 1.5 LS 6MT | R389 995 |
| Seltos 1.5 LS CVT | R414 995 |
| Seltos 1.5 LX CVT | R464 995 |
| Seltos 1.5 GT-Line CVT | R514 995 |
| Seltos 1.5 CRDi GT-Line 6AT | R544 995 |
| Seltos 1.5 CRDi X-Line 6AT | R614 995 |
| Seltos 1.5 T-GDi GT-Line 7DCT | R614 995 |
The prices above include Kia’s 5-year/unlimited km warranty and 3-year/45 000 km service plan.
Find a Kia Seltos on Cars.co.za!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the starting price for the new 2nd-generation Kia Seltos in South Africa and how many variants are available?
A: The new 2nd-generation (SP3-series) Kia Seltos starts at R389 995 for the entry-level 1.5 LS manual derivative. The local portfolio consists of 7 derivatives spanning LS, LX, GT-Line and a new darkened X-Line trim level, with most variants priced lower than their predecessors.
Q: What engine and transmission options are offered in the new South African-spec Kia Seltos range?
A: The new Seltos carries over three 4-cylinder engine options: a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol (84 kW/144 Nm with 6-speed MT or CVT), a 1.5-litre CRDi turbodiesel (85 kW/250 Nm with 6-speed AT) and a flagship 1.5-litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol (118 kW/253 Nm with 7-speed DCT).
Q: How do the dimensions and boot space of the new Kia Seltos compare to the previous model?
A: Built on Kia’s K3 platform, the new Seltos is 95 mm longer (4 460 mm) with an 80 mm longer wheelbase (2 690 mm). These expanded dimensions provide increased passenger cabin room, while luggage capacity has grown by 103 litres to a generous 536 litres, complemented by 2nd-row reclining and sliding seats.
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