The Kia Seltos came with three engine options for Indian buyers. The 1.5-litre petrol engine produced 115 PS and 144 Nm of torque. People who wanted better fuel economy chose the 1.5-litre diesel engine which gave 115 PS and 250 Nm. For faster driving, the car offered a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine with 140 PS and 242 Nm. This model had many transmission choices including a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. It also featured a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox for the turbo engine and an iMT option that removed the clutch pedal. These engines were known for being smooth and reliable on both city roads and highways. The Kia Seltos provided a good balance of power and efficiency across its 18 variants. All these mechanical parts worked well to make the car a top choice in its segment during those years.

The Kia Seltos offered a clean and spacious cabin for 5 people. Inside, the car featured a large 10.25-inch touchscreen for music and maps. It also came with an 8-speaker Bose sound system for good audio. Many models had ventilated front seats to help passengers stay cool in hot weather. The dashboard looked neat and was easy to use. High-end variants had a 360-degree camera to help with parking in tight spots. This model also included a smart air purifier to keep the air fresh inside. For luggage, it provided 433 liters of boot space. The seats were comfortable, and many versions included an electric sunroof. Passengers in the back seat had plenty of legroom and their own air vents. The car used a 7-inch digital display to show the driver important information clearly.

The Kia Seltos has a modern and sharp design that looks good even today. At the front, the car features a large Tiger Nose grille with a silver finish. It comes with thin LED headlights and daytime running lights. Some variants also have special fog lights shaped like ice cubes. Depending on the version, the car uses 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch alloy wheels. On the sides, the car has silver roof rails and chrome door handles. The back of the Kia Seltos has large LED tail lights joined by a wide chrome strip. This model was sold in many colors, including dual-tone options with a black or white roof. It has a ground clearance of 190 mm, which helps it drive over bad roads easily. The car is 4315 mm long and 1800 mm wide.

The Kia Seltos faced very strong competition in the Indian market. Its main rival was the Hyundai Creta, which shares the same engines and platform. Other popular competitors included the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. This model also competed with the MG Astor, Skoda Kushaq, and Volkswagen Taigun in the mid-size SUV segment. At higher price points, some buyers also looked at the Tata Harrier or the Mahindra XUV700. To fight these rivals, the car came in 18 different variants with petrol and diesel options. Most of these competing cars were priced between 10 lakh and 20 lakh rupees. Even with so many options available, this model remained a top choice for many Indian families. It offered a mix of speed and space that matched or beat many of its 5-seater rivals.