2026 Kia Seltos: First look at next-gen small SUV, hybrid likely
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The redesigned Kia Seltos has been spotted, with the small SUV set to be offered with a hybrid for the first time.
The next-generation 2026 Kia Seltos small SUV has been spied testing in South Korea ahead of its debut next year.
A video from YouTube channel Shorts Car shows a camouflaged example of the new Seltos, which will reportedly enter mass production in August 2025 with a petrol-electric hybrid option.
It appears to be larger than the current Seltos, with 19-inch alloy wheels for the first time and an evolved version of the brand's 'Opposites United' design language which made its first appearance in a Kia vehicle when the current Seltos received its mid-life facelift in 2022.
The rear design appears to be similar to the EV5 electric SUV with larger tail-lights than the current model.
Under the skin, the Seltos is expected to switch to the same K3 platform as the Hyundai Kona – along with the Kia K4 and Kia Niro – and utilise the same 2660mm wheelbase as its corporate twin, 30mm more than the current Seltos.
However, it is likely the new Seltos will be more-practical than the Kona as the current model is already 40mm longer than a standard Kona – or 5mm for a Kona N Line – with a 61-litre larger boot for petrol models with a temporary space saver spare wheel.
A hybrid will be available for the first time in the Seltos, likely adopting the same 1.6-litre non-turbo four-cylinder setup as the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro, allowing Kia to rival other electrified small SUVs including the Toyota Corolla Cross, MG ZS, Subaru Crosstrek and Nissan Qashqai.
The Kona Hybrid develops 104kW and 265Nm, and is rated at 3.9L/100km on the combined cycle – making it the most-efficient non-plug-in hybrid small SUV offered in Australia, ahead of the Toyota Corolla Cross.
While the Kona and Niro hybrids are front-wheel-drive-only, the Seltos is tipped to be offered with a dual electric motor setup to enable an electric all-wheel-drive system.
MORE: New Kia Seltos hybrid coming next year to rival Toyota, Hyundai – report
The Korean Car Blog reports electric all-wheel drive will be favourable in Europe, where the Seltos could be offered for the first time.
Kia currently offers the Xceed – a lifted version of the Ceed hatch, similar to the relationship between the Subaru Crosstrek and Impreza – and the Niro small SUVs in Europe, but it is possible the Seltos could replace both models when the new-generation model lobs.
The Kia Ceed is expected to be replaced by a European-market version of the K4 small car – it succeeds the Cerato in Australia – while the Niro will be cannabalised by the electric EV3 and the Seltos Hybrid, leaving the not-for-Australia plug-in hybrid as its only unique powertrain option.
It is likely the Seltos will adopt elements from the Kia K4 – which is due in Australia between January and March 2025 – such as larger 12.3-inch infotainment and instrument cluster screens running the latest 'ccNC' software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digitised 5.0-inch climate control panel.
In addition to the hybrid, the Seltos could offer a similar powertrain line-up to the current model with a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder matched to a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT), and a 1.6-litre turbo with an eight-speed torque-converter.
The Seltos was the first Hyundai and Kia vehicle with the 1.6-litre turbo to switch to the eight-speed unit in 2022, replacing the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission still used in some models.
Reportedly codenamed 'SP3' internally – compared to the current 'SP2' model – the 2026 Kia Seltos is expected to be unveiled shortly before mass production commences in August 2025, with Australian arrivals likely at the end of 2025 or at the start of 2026.
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