Kia Seltos Facelift vs Old Seltos Worth the Hype or Just a Pretty Face?

We break down the Kia Seltos facelift vs the old Seltos styling, tech, driving feel, and real-world value from an insider’s perspective

Kia Seltos Facelift vs Old Seltos Worth the Hype or Just a Pretty Face?

To be frank, when you first see the Seltos facelift, you feel Okay there’s a bit of new life here. But is this new styling just eye-candy, or does it actually offer something extra in real-world use? Let’s try to understand from my 10 years of industry experience.

 

Design and Exterior

The old Seltos had a classic design; you can spot it on the road instantly. The facelift comes with a slightly larger grille, sharper LED DRLs, and cleaner bumper strains. Oh, and the rear light signature offers it a top rate feel. But once I noticed it inside the showroom, I felt The facelift allure genuinely provides only approximately five-10% greater in real sense.

 

Kia Seltos Facelift vs Old Seltos Worth the Hype or Just a Pretty Face?
File Photo : Facelift vs old Seltos – exterior design side by side.

I consider a consumer asking once How panoramic is the brand new Seltos roof? The immediately solution become, it’s basically a layout wow issue; real visibility hasn’t changed a good deal.

 

Engine and Driving Experience

Talking about driving, the petrol and diesel engines remain the same in specs. The drive feels slightly more refined in the facelift probably a small tweak in suspension tuning. Highway mileage feels like the old Seltos, but city drive throttle response feels a bit sharper. Honestly, in heavy traffic, the turbo version of the new Seltos feels lively.

I remember during a test drive, the turbo petrol felt a little jerky at launch maybe a minor ECU tuning issue. Small glitch, but an insider would notice it.

 

Also read : 2026 Kia Seltos New Generation, New Style & The Boldest Upgrade Yet!

 

Interior and Comfort

The cabin additionally has minor updates. Seat material feels barely better, and the infotainment touchscreen has upgraded to 10.25 inches. But yes, the software may be a bit glitchy. I recall a dealership demo where Bluetooth calls had been randomly losing within the infotainment gadget. The supplier said An update will restore it. Straight-up scene: consumers got a little pressured inside the showroom.

 

Kia Seltos Facelift vs Old Seltos Worth the Hype or Just a Pretty Face?
File Photo : Kia Seltos facelift – updated infotainment and trim.

Rear legroom stays similar to the antique Seltos, meaning anyone over 6 ft will sense a chunk tight. AC vents and ergonomics are unchanged only the trim and textures have a little shine.

 

Technology and Safety Features

The facelift adds advanced safety features like lane keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. But straight-up, if you were used to the old Seltos, these features don’t feel life-changing. Cabin connectivity and software are slightly improved, but in daily use, the difference is subtle.

 

Price and Value Proposition

Price-wise, the facelift is slightly more expensive. You might ask Is this extra 50-70k worth it? My answer: If you’re a fan of styling and latest tech, yes. Otherwise, the old Seltos is still a strong contender. From personal experience, I advised a customer who wanted turbo petrol and styling the facelift was perfect. But for those focused on practicality and mileage, the old Seltos was the better choice.

 

Also read : Kia Seltos Looks Stunning But Living With It Tells a Very Different Story

 

Bottom Line

Simply positioned, the Seltos facelift is a diffused upgrade, no longer revolutionary. In real lifestyles, you’ll word variations especially in design and a chunk of tech; riding and engine feel are largely the equal. But if you need that “wow thing” status in a showroom, the facelift without a doubt delivers.

 

From my 10 years of experience, Kia has polished its winning formula a bit, but for existing Seltos owners, the new facelift isn’t essential. And one insider tip don’t forget to check Bluetooth and infotainment updates during a test drive!

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Is Kia Seltos Facelift vs Old Seltos Worth the Hype or Just a Pretty Face? the right direction?

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What are the main differences between Kia Seltos facelift and the old Seltos?
The facelift mainly updates the exterior with a larger grille, sharper LED DRLs, revised bumpers, and subtle interior upgrades like a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen and improved seat material. Engine specs remain largely the same.
Is the Kia Seltos facelift worth the extra price?
If you value styling, modern tech features, and a few interior refinements, yes. But for practicality and mileage-focused buyers, the old Seltos still offers great value at a lower price.
How is the driving experience of the facelift compared to the old Seltos?
Both share the same engine options. The facelift feels slightly refined, with a sharper city throttle response and minor suspension tweaks, but overall, the driving feel remains very similar.
Are there any known software issues in the Seltos facelift?
Some test drives have shown minor infotainment glitches, especially with Bluetooth connectivity. Dealers usually provide software updates to fix these issues.
What safety features does the facelift add compared to the old Seltos?
The facelift adds advanced features like lane keep assist and blind-spot monitoring, while the old Seltos had standard safety features like airbags and ABS.
How do the interiors of the facelift and old Seltos differ?
The facelift offers improved seat materials, slightly enhanced ergonomics, and a larger touchscreen, while the old Seltos retains the classic interior layout with slightly simpler finishes.