Update (November 28, 2024): ‘e-AWD’ added.
Introduced in June 2019, the Kia Seltos received its mid-life facelift in June 2022. In the U.S., the popularity of the small SUV is soaring. Last year, it created a new annual sales record, with 60,053 units delivered, and it is outselling both the Niro and the Soul. In July 2024, Kia said that its subcompact SUV set a new sales record, which signifies that the best is yet to come from this nameplate.
Development of the second-gen Kia Seltos is underway, with a hybrid version expected to join the line-up. The first-ever Kia Seltos Hybrid is set to become the brand’s most affordable hybrid SUV in many markets, with the U.S. also likely in contention for the electrified subcompact.
Kia Seltos Hybrid confirmed internally
On November 6, 2023, Chosun Biz released a report claiming that the successor to the Seltos will have a hybrid powertrain. The plan was apparently confirmed during the Kia Labor-Management Employment Stability Committee, with production of the Seltos electrified variant allotted to the Autoland Gwangju factory.
It’s safe to assume that the South Korean publication was referring to the second-generation Seltos, as the current model is nearing the end of its lifecycle. The small SUV has brought immense success to Kia in South Korea and emerging markets. In the U.S., the Seltos’ sales surpassed the whole Niro family in the first ten months of 2024.
Design
The next-gen Kia Seltos will have a shape similar to the first-gen model, which has been extremely successful in key markets. Spy shots suggest it will differ mainly with a more upright front-end, designed to give it a squarer and more commanding look.
The Seltos is expected to adopt squarish headlamps featuring constellation-inspired Star Map elements with the makeover. Sleeker mirrors and geometric-pattern alloy wheels would be the key updates on the sides, while at the rear, the vertical combination lamps would be visibly taller.
Interior
The redesigned interior of the next-gen Kia Seltos should give a more upscale vibe with a cleaner dashboard, bigger, 12.3-inch cockpit displays with fewer bezels and sharper graphics, courtesy of the ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit) software, and brighter colors. Spy images have already revealed it will borrow new seats with slimmer headrests, new door handles, and switchgear from the Kia EV3.
A column-mounted gear selector is anticipated to free up additional storage space in the front cabin. Other expected features include a wireless phone charger, Digital Key, and a premium audio system, ensuring a well-rounded and modern equipment package.
Next-gen Hybrid system
At the 2024 Kia CEO Investor Day on April 5, 2024, the company’s President and CEO, Ho Sung Song, confirmed the development of a next-gen hybrid system for subcompact Kia vehicles. While Song didn’t confirm the recipients, the Seltos, which is now a top-seller, should receive the powertrain on priority.
In response to the recent increase in Hybrid demand, we plan to develop and introduce a new HEV engine. The new hybrid system is set to be developed in two sizes, subcompact & midsize HEVs, and a large-sized HEV.
Ho Sung Song, Kia’s President & CEO, at the Kia CEO Investor Day on April 5, 2024
While details are scarce, a new 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine-based hybrid system would enable Kia to price the subcompact model competitively, especially in emerging markets, offering a balance of power, efficiency, and cost. “Compared to the existing Hybrid system, we expect significant improvements in power, torque, and fuel economy,” Song said at the CEO Investor Day.
The company has a hybrid powertrain that uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged gas engine which it employs in the Sportage Hybrid and Carnival Hybrid, and the new unit is expected to surpass its predecessor in all respects.
e-AWD
The gas-powered Seltos is available with a mechanical torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system with a center-locking differential. The first-ever Kia Seltos Hybrid will be available with an electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD) system, as per a report ETNews published on July 2, 2024. The hybrid SUV’s rear axle should draw power from a dedicated, second electric motor. The e-AWD system will likely increase responsiveness and precision, and endow the vehicle with all-weather capability.
Release Date & Price
The next-gen Seltos, including the first-ever Kia Seltos Hybrid, will likely debut in the second quarter of 2025. We think its U.S. launch could take place by early 2026, six years after the release of the first-gen model. It’s too early to make predictions about the availability of the Seltos electrified variant in the states, but we’re sure that Kia’s local office is keeping a close eye on the developments. Prices should continue ranging between USD 25,000-33,000 for the complete lineup.
Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s exclusive rendering of the next-gen Seltos Hybrid.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
