Why all-hybrid Kia Seltos 2026 lineup makes sense to challenge Hyundai Kona, Toyota Corolla Cross and Haval Jolion 

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The global launch of the 2026 Kia Seltos occurred last week and more details have come to light about the Hyundai Kona and Haval Jolion rival that will be offered hybrid-only Down Under. 

Details of the hybrid system are now locked in, with the Kia Australia using a 1.6-litre petrol engine twinned with an electric motor. As a point-of-difference to the related Kona, Seltos has the option of an ‘e-AWD’ with a second electric motor on the rear axle. 

Though electric cars have had a moment, Kia still thinks hybrid has a big role to play. Speaking to Spencer Cho, senior vice president and head of global business planning, it’s clear the company is confident in Kia Australia’s bold hybrid-only strategy. 

“I think [with] the upcoming NVES, the subsidiary carefully considered which powertrain might be the right direction… I think from a complexity stand-point this is a very considered choice.”

Pricing, exact outputs and final Australian specification remain unconfirmed. Expect more information closer to the Seltos’s local arrival in Q4 2026. 

Also new is the K3 platform underneath — shared with the K4 small car — and freer production. The Seltos will be built in two South Korean plants which, we’re told, will improve availability in Australia. 

While global markets will continue to get 2.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre turbo Seltos, Australia goes all-hybrid. It’s based around essentially the same petrol engine as Kona, but with a punchier e-motor bringing power up, provisionally, to 113kW.

The all-wheel drive brings combined grunt up to 131kW, or 15kW shy of the old Seltos turbo. There is no electric offering, with the EV3 holding the battery-powered small SUV market down. 

Fuel consumption is yet to be determined but we expect Seltos to be compiled below 5.0L/100km though it remains to be seen if it will match Kona’s impressive 3.9L/100km rating. 

Aiding efficiency will be Kia’s ‘SRS 3.0’ energy recovery system that uses navigation and real-time traffic data to maximise regen’ braking efficiency. 

The new Seltos is 45mm longer, 30mm wider and 35mm shorter than before, with a 60mm longer wheelbase increasing cabin room. Australian delivered cars will have a 483L boot. 

Front-drive cars get a space-saver spare tyre, all-wheel-drive Seltos grades do without and no Australian-delivered models will feature the new vehicle-to-load (V2L) system. 

Key to Seltos’s global pitch are more factories. A second South Korean plant comes online this year to produce Seltos for Europe and the UK, while Australian production occurs at another location. This should improve supply for what we’re told is high local demand. 

Trim levels are not locked in for Australia though Chasing Cars understands the range will continue with the same four variants: S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line.

Our GT-Line is expected to look more like the global X-Line, with highlights including a panoramic opening sunroof, 19-inch alloy wheels, name-brand sound system, 30-inch integrated display, ventilated power-adjust seats and black exterior trim.

At the lower end, the S may be available with wheels down to 16 inches in diameter. A 360-degree surround-view camera and digital key will be available on Seltos as well. 

As a connected vehicle, the new Seltos allows for Netflix and Disney streaming, ChatGPT integration and over-the-air updates along with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. 

Safety will improve with the new Seltos, though Kia Australia is targeting a split ANCAP rating, with lower-trim cars getting four stars and higher grades getting five. 

Pricing will increase with the all-hybrid line-up. The outgoing Seltos starts at $31,250, before on-road costs. Our expectation is that the new Seltos range will open at around $37,000 and climb to $50,000 for a GT-Line AWD.