Generation history
The Kia Seltos has been through 2 generations, starting in 2019 and 2025. The gaps were 6 years, an average of 6.0. Redesigns come quickly on this model. The current generation began in 2025. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2030 through 2032, centered on 2031. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The second-generation Seltos was unveiled simultaneously in Korea, India, Europe, and America on 10 December 2025, marking a significant redesign seven years after the original model. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Kia Seltos model page.
Every generation
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | SP2 | 2019–2025 | The Seltos started as two concept cars, the SP Concept, which was showcased at the New Delhi 2018 Auto Expo in February 2018, and the SP Signature showcased at the 2019 Seoul Motor Show in March 2019. |
| Second generation | SP3 | 2025–present | The second-generation Seltos was unveiled simultaneously in Korea, India, Europe, and America on 10 December 2025, marking a significant redesign seven years after the original model. |
The Kia Seltos spent 6.0 years per generation on average. The current one is 1 years old. Treat 2030 to 2032 as a range, not a date.
Source: Kia Seltos (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Kia Seltos model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
The Seltos started as two concept cars, the SP Concept, which was showcased at the New Delhi 2018 Auto Expo in February 2018, and the SP Signature showcased at the 2019 Seoul Motor Show in March 2019. Both concept cars have a close resemblance with the current mass-production versions. The SP Concept previewed the SP2i Seltos built in India, while the SP Signature is the concept version of the South Korean-made SP2 Seltos.
The second-generation Seltos was unveiled simultaneously in Korea, India, Europe, and America on 10 December 2025, marking a significant redesign seven years after the original model. It is larger from the previous generation, and marketed as a compact crossover SUV.
Generation notes adapted from Kia Seltos (Wikipedia).
Today's Kia Seltos
NHTSA rated the 2025 Kia Seltos overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Kia Seltos, most often about unknown or other (3), forward collision avoidance (3), exterior lighting (3).