2025 Kia Seltos primed for AWD hybrid system

An innovative new all-wheel drive hybrid powertrain will be available in the next-generation Kia Seltos, according to a new report out of Korea.

Kia Australia has confirmed its existing small SUV won’t be offered with hybrid power in this generation and ET News says the all-new Kia Seltos hybrid will enter production in August next year, pointing to a late 2025 or early 2026 introduction Down Under.

The report doesn’t cite any concrete sources, but says the new Seltos will derive its powertrains – and its platform – from the second-generation Hyundai Kona, which alongside the hybrid and electric Kia Niro would bolster the Korean brand’s small SUV battle against the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Japanese giant’s new all-hybrid CH-R range.

The new Hyundai Kona is available with an entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a sportier 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid system (and a battery-electric powertrain).

Where things will differ from the Kona, however, is the availability of a hybrid-specific all-wheel drive system for the new Seltos, which is tipped to draw inspiration from Toyota’s AWD hybrids by incorporating a second motor on the rear axle.

A simpler, cheaper and likely less-powerful front-drive hybrid system will be the default arrangement and should offer similar fuel savings to the current Kona Hybrid (3.9L/100km).

ET News claims the development of an AWD Seltos hybrid is in direct response to consumer preferences in Europe, while the broader inclusion of an electrified drivetrain is part of Kia’s latest mid- to long-term business strategy of increasing electrified vehicle sales by using hybrids to manage fluctuations in global EV demand.

Kia currently has six hybrid SUVs in its global model range – Niro HEV/PHEV, Sportage HEV/PHEV and Sorento HEV/PHEV – and has plans to expand that figure to eight as of 2026 and nine as of 2028.

Odds are the next-generation Seltos and K4 small car will be the next two models to be electrified, while Kia’s battery-electric portfolio will be bolstered by the budget-oriented Kia EV2, EV3, EV4 and EV5.

The above timeline adds weight to ET News’ speculation of an August 2025 production start for the second-gen Seltos, the first hybrid version of which will be sold alongside the Niro HEV, just as the Niro EV and EV3 will co-exist.

Kia Australia has confirmed the Niro will “continue in its current position and co-exist with the upcoming new products and variants”, but it won’t be drawn on anything to do with the new Seltos.

The popular compact SUV was first launched in mid-2019 and was facelifted 2022, so it will be six years old by the time production of its replacement commences in August 2025 (according to ET News).

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au