By: Joshua Lee
October 4, 2026
The small SUV market has a problem: too many of them look like they were designed by the same committee. Park five subcompact crossovers beside each other and it can be surprisingly difficult to remember which one you drove home. Kia apparently decided that anonymity was overrated. The redesigned 2027 Seltos arrives with a more upright stance, sharper proportions and enough attitude to stand apart from the usual collection of sensible little runabouts.
The X-Line Limited gets Kia’s 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. of torque. Power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to a standard all-wheel-drive system. Compared with the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine offered in lower trims, the turbo is the obvious choice for anyone who actually enjoys driving. Kia Canada currently rates the turbocharged X-Line models at 190 horsepower.
There is enough torque to make the Seltos feel genuinely energetic around town, while highway passing requires considerably less planning than it does in many entry-level crossovers. The eight-speed automatic also feels more natural than the continuously variable transmission paired with the base engine.
Kia made the Seltos responsive, predictable and easy to place on the road. The steering is reasonably direct, body control is respectable and the suspension does a good job of balancing everyday comfort with enough composure to keep enthusiastic drivers interested. The X-Line name may suggest more capability than there actually is, though. This is still primarily a road-going crossover. It will happily deal with snow, gravel roads and cottage access roads, but serious off-roading isn’t really its party trick.
Our Terrain Brown X-Line Limited tester takes that approach a step further with black 19-inch alloy wheels, darker exterior accents and Kia’s distinctive Star Map lighting signatures. It has the visual confidence of something considerably larger and more expensive, which is exactly what Kia needs in a segment where standing out can be half the battle. The exact tester sheet confirms the 19-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof and LED exterior lighting. 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Limited
Inside, Kia has given the Seltos a much-needed modernization. The cabin is cleaner and more contemporary, with a dashboard dominated by a pair of 12.3-inch displays. The presentation is suitably high-tech without making the driver feel like they’re sitting inside an arcade machine. The X-Line Limited’s all-black interior, SynTex upholstery and mesh-style headrests give it a more upscale character, while the additional space makes the Seltos more useful for everyday life.
Rear legroom and headroom have both increased by 25 mm, and cargo capacity grows to 786 litres behind the second row and 1,817 litres with the rear seats folded.
Kia also hasn’t forgotten the little things. The X-Line Limited offers heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof. The front Relaxation Seats may sound like marketing-department poetry, but they’re genuinely useful when you’re parked and waiting or taking a break during a longer drive. 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Limited
Technology is another area where Kia continues to make a strong case for itself. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-C charging ports and over-the-air software updates are standard pieces of the modern-car puzzle, while the X-Line Limited adds a head-up display, Digital Key 2.0 and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Limited … 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Limited
The safety technology is equally comprehensive. Highway Driving Assist 2, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Surround View Monitor, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist are among the systems designed to make daily driving easier and less stressful.
Fuel economy is respectable rather than spectacular. The turbocharged X-Line Limited is rated at 9.9 L/100 km city, 7.8 highway and 9.0 combined. Considering the 190-horsepower engine and standard AWD, those numbers aren’t unreasonable. Buyers more concerned with minimizing fuel stops will also have the option of looking toward the Seltos Hybrid, which Kia is adding to the Canadian lineup. The exact tester’s EnerGuide label confirms the 9.0 L/100 km combined rating. 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Limited … Kia says the Hybrid is scheduled to join the Canadian range by the end of 2026.
There are six trims in the 2027 Seltos lineup. The LX FWD starts at $28,495 MSRP, the EX AWD at $33,495, and the X-Line Limited AWD at $41,295. Our Terrain Brown X-Line Limited tester came to $43,780 before taxes, including freight, the $250 colour charge and the $100 A/C tax. 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Limited
The Limited feels so well equipped. You get the stronger turbocharged powertrain, AWD, premium technology, extensive driver assistance and a cabin that doesn’t feel like Kia simply stopped adding features once the price became uncomfortable.
The 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Limited isn’t the cheapest way into a small SUV, nor is it trying to be. Instead, Kia has made a more ambitious little crossover that combines everyday practicality with enough performance and personality to keep things interesting. The Seltos may be small, but Kia clearly didn’t get the memo that it was supposed to behave that way.
