Next-Gen Kia Seltos Spied: To Get Strong Hybrid Powertrain
The South Korean automotive giant Kia is working on the development of the next-generation Seltos. Recently, a test mule of this upcoming, highly anticipated SUV was spotted in South Korea. As per the reports, the most important highlight of the new Seltos mid-size SUV will be a new strong hybrid powertrain. Late last year, Kia announced its plans to replace its diesel models with strong hybrids. Most likely, this new model will be launched by the second half of 2025.
Kia Seltos Strong Hybrid Details
First off, let’s talk about the most important highlight of the upcoming generation of the Kia Seltos mid-size SUV. The company will be offering it with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, which will be paired with an electric motor. Presently, this powertrain is seen in the Kia Niro, which is sold in the international markets.
Combined, this strong hybrid powertrain will offer around 141 bhp and 265 Nm of torque. As for the transmission, it could come mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Whether this particular model will get a manual transmission in India once launched has not been revealed. Reportedly, the new Kia Seltos hybrid will offer fuel efficiency in the range of 18.1-19.8 kmpl.
Image courtesy CarsGuide
New Kia Seltos to Offer an E-AWD System
Another very important detail about the upcoming Kia Seltos hybrid is that it could get an E-AWD system. The company is working on the development of an electronic all-time AWD system.
Sadly, reports suggest that it will be primarily for the European markets. Whether Kia will offer this E-AWD Seltos hybrid in India is currently unknown.
2025 Kia Seltos Hybrid Design
Presently, only a few heavily camouflaged prototypes of the new Kia Seltos hybrid have been spotted. These test mules were seen with thick black covers with the codename “SP3 Proto” written on the windshields.
Due to these preventive measures, not much has been noted in terms of design details of the new Seltos. However, it has been observed that this time around, the Kia Seltos will be getting a complete redesign.
Kia is moving away from the aggressive design language it currently uses for the Seltos. It will now look like a baby version of the Telluride flagship SUV, which Kia sells in the international markets.
At the front, the new Kia Seltos hybrid will get a Telluride-like vertically stacked LED headlights. It could also get a new sleeker-looking grille. As for the rear end, from what we can note, it will get an upright stance and new LED headlights. Overall the Seltos will now boast a much more boxy design.
Kia’s Plan to Replace Diesels with Hybrids
As mentioned above, back in December 2023, Kia’s Managing Director and CEO, Tae-Jin Park, confirmed that the company is planning to replace all of its diesel-powered models with strong hybrids.
He added that they are moving towards strong hybrids due to stricter emission norms, which are making it hard to develop diesel engines. Park highlighted that they will still be making diesel engines.
The CEO iterated that they will only stop after it becomes impossible to develop new diesel motors. He added that Kia’s diesel-engined models bring in 40 percent of the sales volume.
Kia Carens to Also Go Hybrid
Although the Seltos will be the first strong hybrid offering in India from Kia, the second model that is very likely to get a strong hybrid powerplant is the Carens MPV. Most likely, it will get the same 1.6-litre strong hybrid powertrain as the Seltos.