The new-generation Kia Seltos will not offer Australian buyers a cheaper petrol-only alternative, with Kia Australia confirming there are currently no firm plans to expand the local range beyond hybrid power.
Speaking at the Australian media launch of the second-generation Seltos on November 6, Kia Australia’s senior manager for product planning, Raymond Pok, said the company was confident its hybrid-only approach was the right fit for the local market.
“At this point we don’t have any firm plans on introducing any other alternative powertrains that are available globally,” Pok said.
He added that Kia had several powertrain options to choose from internationally but believed the Seltos Hybrid was better suited to Australian buyers.
That means customers looking at the new Seltos will need to pay more to enter the range, with the previous generation’s more affordable petrol-only entry point no longer available.
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New Seltos costs $6,740 more to enter the range
The 2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid starts at $37,990 plus on-road costs, or $39,990 drive-away, in Australia.
By comparison, the outgoing petrol-powered Seltos started at $31,250 plus on-road costs. That’s a $6,740 increase at the entry point, although the two figures relate to different generations and powertrains.
Here is how the new Australian range is priced.
| Variant | Price (excluding on-road costs) |
| 2027 Kia Seltos S | $37,990 |
| 2027 Kia Seltos S with Safety Pack | $40,150 |
| 2027 Kia Seltos Sport | $41,910 |
| 2027 Kia Seltos Sport+ | $44,970 |
| 2027 Kia Seltos GT-Line FWD | $49,870 |
| 2027 Kia Seltos GT-Line AWD | $52,870 |
Kia believes demand for hybrid SUVs is strong enough to support the decision. Pok pointed to growing interest in hybrid versions of other Kia models, particularly the larger Sportage.
“We think that’s where the market’s at,” he said.
For buyers primarily interested in an affordable small SUV, however, the absence of a conventional petrol option could make the new Seltos a more expensive proposition.
2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid specifications
The Australian range uses a 1.6-litre hybrid powertrain, with front-wheel drive standard and electric all-wheel drive reserved for the flagship GT-Line.
- Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid
- Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic
- FWD power output: 112kW and 265Nm
- e-AWD power output: 126kW, with an additional 50kW rear electric motor
- Fuel consumption: 5.1-5.8L/100km, depending on variant
- CO2 emissions: 115-131g/km
- Boot capacity: 483 litres, expanding to 1441 litres with rear seats folded
Fuel consumption and emissions figures are based on ADR 81/03 WLTP testing.
Unlike some overseas markets, where the new Seltos is available with conventional petrol engines, every Australian variant uses this hybrid system.
European versions get an updated 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine producing 132kW and 265Nm, with six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission options.
South Korea also gets a 142kW version of the engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Australia’s electric all-wheel-drive setup takes a different approach. Rather than using a conventional mechanical driveshaft to send power to the rear wheels, it uses a dedicated 50kW electric motor mounted at the rear axle.
This provides additional traction on slippery roads and loose surfaces while retaining the efficiency benefits of hybrid power.
Bigger dimensions and more boot space
The second-generation Seltos also brings improvements to passenger space and practicality, thanks to its new K3 platform.
It is 45mm longer and 30mm wider than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has grown by 60mm to 2690mm. Rear passengers gain an additional 25mm of legroom, which should make longer journeys more comfortable.
Boot capacity has increased from 468 litres to 483 litres with the rear seats in place. Folding the 60:40 split rear seats expands the available luggage space to 1441 litres.
These changes give the new Seltos a more practical package, although its higher entry price means buyers will need to weigh those improvements against the cost of stepping into the hybrid range.
Kia has also confirmed that the new Seltos is undergoing independent ANCAP crash testing, with its safety rating yet to be announced.
For now, Australian buyers interested in the new Seltos will have to choose between its hybrid variants rather than wait for a cheaper petrol alternative. Kia has not ruled out every possibility for the future, but there are no confirmed plans to bring other powertrains to Australia.
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