Seltos Becomes Kia India's BIGGEST Hit: 7 Lakh Sold In 6 Years
Kia’s Seltos has reached a significant landmark, with cumulative sales crossing 700,000 units since its debut in August 2019. The mid-size SUV has been central to Kia’s success in India, contributing 44 percent of the company’s total sales during its production run.
In July 2025, the Seltos accounted for 55 percent of Kia India’s monthly volume, with 6,010 units dispatched, marking a 12 percent year-on-year growth compared to July 2024. This performance reflects the model’s strong market presence despite increasing competition.
Off To A Good Start
From the outset, the Seltos made a strong impression, entering the top five utility vehicle sales chart within three months of launch. It secured the fourth spot in its debut month with 6,236 units sold, exceeding expectations for a new brand. Kia focused on the mid-size SUV segment, a lucrative space that balances affordability with premium appeal.
The strategy positioned the Seltos against established names like Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, offering differentiated design, features, and a wide price range of Rs 10.90 lakh to Rs 20.35 lakh. This positioning has not only delivered volume but also strong revenue, with 42 percent of customers opting for higher trims, boosting profitability.
Why It Succeeded
The Seltos’ success can be attributed to Kia’s continuous updates and adaptability to market demands. Powertrain options include 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre turbo petrol, and 1.5-litre diesel, combined with a range of transmissions such as six-speed manual, CVT, DCT, and automatic. This variety has helped address different buyer needs.
Around 32 percent of customers now choose automatic transmissions, showing a shift towards convenience-focused driving. Kia has also regularly refreshed the Seltos with improved safety equipment, enhanced connectivity, and cosmetic changes, helping it stay relevant six years into its lifecycle. The SUV’s appeal spans urban centres and smaller towns, thanks to localisation efforts that balance Korean styling with domestic tastes.
What Next?
The mid-size SUV market has become more crowded with entries like Tata Curvv, Honda Elevate, and Maruti Grand Vitara joining the fray. Despite this, the Seltos has maintained steady numbers, supported by efficient production at Kia’s Anantapur facility, which also builds the Sonet, Carens, and Syros.
While exports remain secondary, the domestic demand story suggests potential for overseas expansion in similar markets. Looking ahead, Kia is preparing for the electric transition, with plans to introduce an electric trim of the next-gen Seltos in 2027. But before that, in early 2026, a Seltos Hybrid will arrive with the next-generation model.
An electric version of the Seltos could sustain its relevance as consumer preferences evolve. The 700,000-unit milestone demonstrates that Kia’s strategy to lead with a feature-rich SUV rather than an entry-level hatchback helped the brand establish itself quickly and secure meaningful market share.