2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid arrives in Australia from $39,990 drive-away with base-grade tech confirmed

Initial specs confirmed as hybrid Seltos reaches dealers

Kia Australia has confirmed initial details for the second-generation Seltos Hybrid (HEV) lineup as the model hits dealerships this week, with the information based on a dealer bulletin obtained by CarExpert. The Australian range comprises six variants: S, S with Safety Pack, Sport, Sport+, GT-Line FWD and GT-Line e-AWD, all powered exclusively by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid system with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. ¹

According to CarExpert's reporting of the bulletin, even the base S grade carries 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, the full Integrated Panoramic Display (12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and 5.0-inch HVAC panel) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Kia Connect services with over-the-air updates, dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera and both front and rear parking sensors. S variants also receive a space-saver spare, electric parking brake with auto hold, keyless entry with remote start, an in-cabin camera monitor, Forward Collision Avoidance 2.0 autonomous emergency braking and blind-spot assist. ¹

The optional $2500 Safety Pack on the base grade adds Remote Smart Parking Assist, a 360-degree Surround View Monitor, Blind Spot View Monitor cameras, Parking Collision Avoidance Assist – Reverse and side parking sensors, alongside cosmetic additions such as a gloss black grille and heated side mirrors. Higher grades build from there: Sport gains 18-inch wheels and Highway Driving Assist 2, Sport+ adds heated front seats and power-adjustable driver's seating, while the GT-Line brings 19-inch wheels, 'Signature' LED headlights, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, a Harman Kardon eight-speaker audio system, panoramic sunroof and power tailgate. ¹

Pricing: up $4670 for the base grade, positioned under Kona

Pricing starts from $39,990 drive-away for the S HEV FWD, rising to $55,490 drive-away for the GT-Line HEV AWD, with list prices ranging from $37,990 to $52,870 before on-road costs. Chasing Cars, which reported the pricing when it was announced ahead of the late-October showroom arrival, noted the entry price is up $4670 on the outgoing range and attributed the increase to the new platform, much-improved technology and the loss of the old 2.0-litre petrol engine as a price-leader. ⁴⁶

For context, CarExpert's pricing report highlights that the entry Seltos HEV sits about $4500 under the base of the larger Sportage HEV (from $44,490 drive-away) and more than $4000 above the runout petrol-only first-generation Seltos, while matching the related Hyundai Kona Hybrid's $39,990 drive-away entry price. Other cited rivals include the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (from $37,440 plus on-roads), GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid (from $32,990 drive-away), Chery C5 Hybrid (from $31,990 drive-away), MG ZS Hybrid+ (from $29,990 drive-away), Nissan Qashqai e-Power (from $45,850 plus on-roads) and Jaecoo J5 SHS-H (from $34,990 drive-away). ⁶

First Kia with electrified all-wheel drive

Front-wheel drive Seltos Hybrid variants produce 113kW and 265Nm from the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated hybrid system, while e-AWD models add a second electric motor on the rear axle, lifting system power to around 133kW, as reported by CarExpert. The Seltos is the first model from the Hyundai Motor Group to use this electrified all-wheel drive setup, and Chasing Cars notes the approach — electric rather than mechanical drive to the rear wheels — is similar to Toyota's for all-wheel drive RAV4s. ¹⁴

There is a discrepancy in reported AWD output: The Beep's May 2026 launch-confirmation report quoted 131kW for the AWD variant, whereas CarExpert's October spec and pricing coverage states around 133kW, noting Korean-market cars produce that figure. Combined fuel use of approximately 4.0L/100km was described by The Beep as expected rather than confirmed, with a caveat that Australia's switch to WLTP testing from 1 July 2026 may push the figure slightly higher. CarExpert's international first drive of Korean-spec 2WD cars recorded indicated consumption of 4.5–5.7L/100km in mixed conditions, including a windy, uphill leg. ⁵⁶³

The European-market hybrid is homologated to Euro 6d emissions standards, which CarExpert notes the hybrid powertrain meets, and the related Niro HEV's rear-motor figure of 32kW and 170Nm was referenced by CarExpert as an indicator of the e-motor's role in town driving, since Kia does not fully detail petrol and electric outputs in isolation. ³

Bigger body on the K3 platform, with an Australian tune

The second-generation Seltos (SP3) rides on Kia's K3 platform, which also underpins the K4 hatch and Hyundai Kona. Kia's published local debut material, reproduced by AnyAuto, lists growth of 45mm in length to 4430mm, 30mm in width to 1830mm, a 60mm-longer wheelbase at 2690mm and a 30mm-lower height at 1600mm, alongside increases in second-row legroom (25mm), shoulder room and headroom. ²⁵

Cargo figures differ by configuration and market. The Australian 2WD specification carries a space-saver spare, with luggage capacity of 483 litres VDA (rear seats up) in the Australian debut figures cited by AnyAuto — a 15-litre gain over the outgoing car on the same basis. Kia's global claim of 536 litres VDA, referenced in CarExpert's international first drive, applies to the overseas specification without the Australian spare arrangement, and the Australian e-AWD versions use a tyre mobility kit rather than a spare. ²³¹

Every Australian variant receives Kia Australia's local ride and handling tune, which the company has described as producing a car that is "more responsive, firmly damped and with reduced body roll for local Australian tastes", with adjustments to damper and spring rates and a different steering tune. In its international first drive of Korean-spec Signature and X-Line 2WD cars, CarExpert found the hybrid powertrain smooth, quiet and refined, with indicated fuel use around 5L/100km at 110km/h, but noted the 113kW FWD car "starts to run out of puff" near 100km/h, particularly on inclines. That review was conducted without the Australian tune and on Korean-market grades. ¹⁶³

No V2L for Australia; ANCAP rating targeted

Kia Australia has confirmed the local range will not offer the vehicle-to-load (V2L) function available overseas. The Beep reports Kia's explanation that the inverter clashes with the space-saver spare under the boot floor in 2WD models, and that AWD versions miss V2L due to what Kia Australia described as trim complexity. CarExpert separately noted the local preference for spare wheels as the stated reason for the omission. ⁵⁶

On safety, Kia is targeting a dual four- and five-star ANCAP rating depending on grade, according to The Beep's report; the new Seltos had not yet been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP at the time of CarExpert's review coverage. The equipment list confirmed this week spans autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot assist, parking sensors front and rear, a reversing camera and tyre pressure monitoring as standard, with Highway Driving Assist 2 and its navigation-based semi-autonomous assistant from the Sport grade upward. ⁵³¹

From global debut to Australian showrooms

The second-generation Seltos made its global debut through an online world premiere in December 2025, with global production beginning that month in India, followed by launches in Korea, North America, Europe and China through 2026, per the Kia material cited by AnyAuto. A hybrid variant was flagged to join the global lineup in 2026, introducing Kia's Smart Regenerative Braking System 3.0. The car made its Australian debut in May 2026 as a pre-production display vehicle, with the local launch confirmed for the fourth quarter of 2026. ²

The Beep confirmed in May 2026 that the 2027 Seltos would arrive in Australian showrooms between October and December 2026 as a hybrid-only model, making it the first new-generation Kia in Australia to launch fully electrified, a shift Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith tied to strong local demand for electrified small SUVs and the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard. Kia Australia also stated production from its Korean factory, with AnyAuto quoting Meredith saying this "ensures we can deliver a consistent and high-quality product". CarExpert is attending the Australian media launch for the Seltos HEV next week, with its drive of the local tune to follow. ⁵²¹