Auto Weekly – Kia Seltos Price Reveal, New Venue HX5+, Tata Punch Teased

The first week of 2026 revved up the Indian auto scene with a trio of updates that caught everyone’s attention. Kia officially announced prices for its new-gen Seltos, Hyundai spiced up the Venue lineup with a fresh HX5+ variant, and Tata gave a teaser of the updated Punch that’s set to launch mid-January. Let’s break down all the major highlights from this eventful week.

Seltos

Kia opened the year with a bang by revealing the prices for its new generation Seltos. Starting at Rs. 10.99 lakh and going up to Rs. 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the refreshed SUV now spans four key trims – HTE, HTK, HTX, and GTX. Each trim gets optional add-on packages to further customize the experience.

Under the hood, there’s something for every kind of driver. You get three engine choices – a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel. Transmission options are generous too: from a standard six-speed manual to an intelligent manual (iMT), an IVT for smooth city rides, a responsive seven-speed DCT, and a six-speed automatic for the diesel variant.

With these upgrades, the Seltos continues to stay competitive in the mid-size SUV segment, offering both tech-rich features and versatile engine-transmission combinations. It’s clearly aimed at buyers who want more than just a commute.

Why Volkswagen Should Consider Launching the ID. Polo EV in India

Venue

Not one to stay behind, Hyundai India quietly added a new HX5+ variant to its popular compact SUV, the Venue. Priced at Rs. 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom), this new trim is based on the existing HX5 but brings along a lot more in terms of features.

It retains the 1.2-litre petrol engine with a manual transmission but throws in extra goodies like LED headlamps, roof rails for that rugged look, a rear sunshade, and wireless charging. Practical touches include a driver-side armrest with storage, rear wiper and washer, and a power window with auto up/down on the driver’s side.

Also, the slightly lower HX4 variant now gets driver seat height adjustment as standard – a small but significant change for better comfort and driving ergonomics.

This move clearly positions the Venue HX5+ as a value-rich option for those who want more convenience without jumping too far up the price ladder.

Hyundai Reveals Pleos Connect – Smarter In Car Experience for 2026

Punch

Tata Motors is back in the teaser game, this time with the facelifted ICE version of the Punch. Scheduled for launch on January 13, this update is the most notable one for the Punch since it made its debut in 2021.

From what’s been revealed so far, the facelift will sport updated styling cues – sharper lines, new exterior colours, and redesigned alloy wheels. While the mechanicals remain unchanged, the facelift will continue to offer the 1.2-litre petrol engine with both a five-speed manual and five-speed AMT options. The twin-cylinder CNG variant will also be available in its existing form.

Tata seems to be focusing on refreshing the visual appeal and feature list, keeping the core mechanical setup the same – which makes sense, considering the Punch has already carved a strong reputation in the micro-SUV space.

Summary

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the key updates:

Lexus India 8 Year Warranty – Coverage, Benefits, and Buyer Impact

So whether you’re planning a new SUV purchase or just keeping tabs on the industry, the first week of 2026 delivered solid news. Kia set the tone with a premium spread for the Seltos, Hyundai gave its Venue lineup a meaningful boost, and Tata stirred anticipation for the upcoming Punch refresh.

As the year rolls on, expect even more action from all major players. And if these first updates are anything to go by, 2026 might just be one of the most exciting years yet for car buyers in India.

FAQs