The South Korean automotive giant, Kia, has officially confirmed its plans to introduce a hybrid variant of its highly successful next-generation Seltos small SUV. This announcement forms part of a broader strategic initiative by the manufacturer to offer a comprehensive lineup of 10 hybrid models in its global showrooms by the year 2030. Kia's Australian division has expressed strong interest in incorporating this hybrid Seltos into its local offerings. The five-door Seltos currently competes in a popular segment against rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Kona, and MG ZS, and is presently available in Australia exclusively with traditional gasoline powertrains, offering a choice between 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter engines. Kia's announcement regarding the hybrid Seltos was made during an investor presentation held in South Korea, where the company also reported record-breaking global sales figures for 2024 and outlined its future product development and overall corporate strategy.
While Kia Australia has refrained from issuing an official confirmation regarding the specific timing and detailed specifications of the next-generation Seltos, including the potential hybrid version for the local market, the rationale for its introduction in Australia appears compelling. Earlier in April 2025, the Australian arm of the car manufacturer publicly stated its necessity to reduce its reliance on sales of non-turbocharged gasoline-powered vehicles and proactively transition towards hybrid alternatives. This strategic shift is deemed essential to ensure compliance with Australia's impending National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) regulations, which aim to lower the overall emissions intensity of new vehicle sales.
The Hyundai Kona introduced its hybrid variant to Australian showrooms in 2019. Consequently, it is widely anticipated that the hybrid version of the Kia Seltos will likely share the same powertrain technology as its Hyundai counterpart, which is also slated for a new generation in 2025. This platform and powertrain sharing is already an established practice between several models from the two brands, exemplified by the Kia Sportage – Kia's top-selling hybrid in Australia in the preceding year – which shares its underpinnings and powertrain with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. The current iteration of the smaller Hyundai Kona Hybrid employs a 103 hp 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, coupled with a 43 hp front-axle electric motor and a 1.32 kWh lithium-ion battery. The officially stated combined power output of this system is 139 hp and 265 Newton-meters of torque, delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This powertrain achieves an impressive combined fuel efficiency rating of 3.9 liters per 100 kilometers, with independent real-world testing by Drive yielding a slightly higher figure of 4.3 liters per 100 kilometers.
The current pricing structure for the Kia Seltos lineup in Australia begins at $30,050 before on-road costs, positioning it marginally below the entry-level price of $32,500 for the 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder version of the Hyundai Kona. In contrast, the Hyundai Kona Hybrid range starts at $36,500 before on-road costs and is available in four distinct trim levels, with the top-tier Premium N-Line Hybrid listed at $46,500 before on-road costs. While Kia has articulated its global objective of offering 10 hybrid models by the year 2030, the company has not yet confirmed whether this hybrid technology will be integrated into every single model in its extensive portfolio. Notably, the diesel-powered Kia Tasman ute is scheduled to make its debut in the Australian market in mid-2025, positioning itself as a direct competitor to established players in the utility vehicle segment such as the Ford Ranger and the Toyota HiLux.