It has now been officially confirmed that Kia Motors will soon be coming up with a hybrid version of the Seltos. It will be launched first in the US market, with expectations that it could launch in late 2026, and then in India in 2027, where it will compete with the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder.
Kia Motors unveiled details regarding the hybrid version of the Seltos at the ongoing New York Auto Show. The model to be launched in the US will be imported from South Korea; however, in India, it is expected to be manufactured locally to ensure competitive pricing against rivals.
Powertrain & Performance
In the US, the Seltos hybrid will come with a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine and two motors, one mounted with the front wheels and the other with the rear wheels, which means it will be introduced with an AWD drivetrain, and the expected transmission is a six-speed automatic hybrid.
And on the other hand, in India, the Seltos hybrid is likely to get a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a single motor mounted with the front wheels. It will feature a front-wheel drive drivetrain and an electronic continuously variable transmission.
The hybrid is likely to have a fuel tank of 50 litres, and fuel efficiency is expected to be 35-40 mpg in the United States and 22-25 km/l in India; it is expected that the acceleration timing will be around 7-8 seconds and top speed may go up to 160 km/h.
Dimensions & Space
The dimensions for the Seltos Hybrid in the US and India will be the same, which is 40 mm wider compared to the ongoing model. Its length, width, and height will be 4460 mm, 1830 mm and 1635 mm, respectively, giving it a bold stance and tough road presence.
The wheelbase has also increased by 60 mm and now stands at 2690 mm, which is long and helps to keep the vehicle stable at high speed. The top trim comes with high ground clearance to enable it for better off-roading as well as navigating the potholes.
The Seltos hybrid in the US and India will feature the seating capacity of 5 people with a layout of 2 and 3, and the boot space is likely to be around 447 litres that is capable of carrying four pieces of luggage with ease.
Exterior & Design
The design of the Kia Seltos hybrid will be the same as the one recently launched in India. Up front, it features a large rectangular Tiger Nose grille, a black mesh pattern to give it a sporty and bold look, and EV styling vertical LED DRLs with sleek headlamps.
On the sides, it gets a longer body and wheelbase, strong shoulder lines, 18-inch alloy wheels and thick cladding, and the rear features full-width connected LED tail lamps, a star-map-style new light signature and a cleaner bumper with integrated reflectors.
Interior & Features
The hybrid Seltos gets a horizontal dashboard layout, which features a dual-screen setup, one for infotainment and the other acting as a digital cluster. The infotainment system comes with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay and a BOSE 8-speaker premium sound system.
For better comfort, it features leatherette seats with a dual-tone premium finish. The front row seats are ventilated, and the rear features a reclining function. The dual-pane panoramic sunroof and multicolour ambient lighting add premiums to the cabin.
For safety, it features six airbags with other advanced and smart features, including ABS, ESC, traction control, and level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) that includes adaptive cruise control, lane assist, collision warning, and others.