Kia had apparently planned the Seltos EV for the second half of 2020, which never saw the light of day due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty in demand that followed, and Kia’s switch to bespoke EV platforms, no longer made such a derivative a priority.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the first-ever Kia Seltos Hybrid is a top priority for the South Korean automaker. Kia plans to introduce an all-new, second-generation Seltos in the following months, and has confirmed the fully redesigned model with an optional hybrid powertrain. Here’s everything we know about the Kia Seltos Hybrid:
Design & Interior
The next-generation Kia Seltos will retain the overall shape of the current model, which has proven successful in key markets. Spy shots indicate a more upright front end, giving it a squarer and more assertive look.
Source: CarSpyMedia/Youtube
Squarish headlamps with constellation-inspired Star Map elements will mark the biggest change at the front. On the sides, sleeker mirrors and geometric-pattern alloy wheels will be the main updates. At the rear, the vertical combination lamps will be taller than those of the current model.
Inside, the cabin is expected to gain a cleaner dashboard and 12.3-inch cockpit displays with slimmer bezels and sharper graphics, running Kia’s ccNC software. New seats with slimmer headrests, updated door handles, and switchgear from the Kia EV3 will also feature, as revealed by spy photos.
A column-mounted gear selector is expected to free up extra storage space in the centre console. Other equipment highlights should include a wireless phone charger, Digital Key, and a premium audio system.
Specifications
The Seltos Hybrid is expected to debut a new-generation hybrid system that Kia has developed for its sub-compact and mid-size HEVs. The company promises notable improvements in power, torque, and fuel economy compared with its current setup.
The new system will feature a coaxial serial connection between the motor and engine, improving efficiency by about four per cent and delivering stronger acceleration. Kia also plans to ensure a smoother transition between electric and engine drive than in some of its current hybrids.
For the first time, the Seltos will offer an electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD) system, as per an earlier ETNews report. A second electric motor will power the rear axle, improving responsiveness and precision while providing all-weather capability. This configuration should make the Seltos Hybrid more capable than the front-wheel-drive-only hybrid models in Kia’s current line-up.
Launch plan
According to South Korean publication Maeil Business News, Kia will start producing the Seltos Hybrid in April 2026. Production will take place at two domestic sites, Gwangju Plant 1 and Hwaseong Plant 2, to meet expected demand globally. The domestic launch should take place soon after the start of production.
Since Kia already offers the Niro Hybrid in the UK and the design and specifications of which is better aligned to local customers, we doubt the company will select the Seltos Hybrid for this region. The fact that the company never launched the first-generation Seltos in the Old Continent makes an even stronger case for the Seltos Hybrid to be overlooked.
In certain other right-hand drive markets like Australia and New Zealand, though, Kia may investigate selling the Niro Hybrid and Seltos Hybrid alongside each other. The company may market the latter to customers preferring a modern SUV-like design and requiring all-wheel drive capability.
Featured image: Kia
Trained as an automobile engineer, I’ve been following the global car market since 2005. Over the past 17 years, I’ve been involved in online automotive analysis and publishing, traveling the world to drive, evaluate, and experience new cars and technologies.
