2026 Kia Seltos revealed
New-generation Seltos is bigger, bolder, sleeker, more advanced, and electrified
By carsales.com.au
Kia has taken the covers off its second-generation Seltos compact SUV, which promises to broaden its appeal with a greater variety of powertrain options and the latest in safety and digital technology.
Due to arrive in local showrooms later this year, the Seltos will be offered with the choice of front- and, for the first time, all-wheel drive variants through the introduction of a new hybrid system with an electric motor on the rear axle.
Walking a fine line between the rugged design of the Sportage and Sorento SUVs and the sleeker, electric EV5 and EV9, the new Seltos looks more muscular than the old model with its wider grille, ‘star map’ lighting signature, bolder lines, and bigger dimensions.
Spanning 4430mm (L) x 1830mm (W) x 1600mm (H), the 2026 Kia Seltos is 45mm longer and 30mm wider than its predecessor and sits on a 60mm-longer wheelbase (2690mm).
The end result is a much more spacious cabin and significantly more cargo capacity – the 536-litre boot (VDA) expands out to 929 litres when the reclining rear seats are folded.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find the latest application of Kia’s current interior design language similar to that of the EV3, EV5 and EV9; drivers are greeted by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, next to which is a 5.0-inch climate control interface and a matching 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen – all housed behind the same piece of glass.
The centre stack features a line of shortcut buttons for the infotainment system, below which are a quartet of toggles linked to the climate control (temperature, fan speed etc).
The core powertrains in a global context will be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (110kW/179Nm) mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a pair of 1.6-litre turbo-petrol.
The lower-spec 1.6-litre (132kW/265Nm) will be offered with the choice of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission while the higher output (142kW/265Nm) unit will come exclusively with an eight-speed automatic.
However, one of the big talking points coming into the new Seltos’ reveal was the introduction of hybrid powertrains – including Hyundai Group’s first hybrid e-all-wheel drive (e-AWD) system.
According to Kia, the hybrid front-drive system will be good for a combined 113kW while the new 'e-AWD' will output 131kW courtesy of a second e-motor on its rear axle – hence the term e-AWD; there's no mechanical linkage between the engine and the rear wheels.
So, unlike a Sportage Hybrid which has a physical drive shaft to the rear axle, the new-generation Seltos Hybrid's all-wheel drive will be controlled purely by software as per a Toyota Corolla Cross.
A six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will send the 1.6-litre petrol engine's power to the front wheels, while Korean spec sheets nominate combined fuel consumption of between 5.1 and 5.6L/100km for the front-drive versions.
With the new Seltos not due in Australia until the fourth quarter of this year, it’s far too early to talk about trim levels, the associated equipment, pricing or even broader specification.
That said, highlights at the top of range will include ambient lighting, a head-up display, 360-degree camera, over-the-air updates, digital key functionality, a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, and premium sound systems from Harman Kardon and Bose.
“Local suspension tuning is already underway, with further details on powertrains, trim variants, features, and pricing to be announced in due course,” a Kia Australia spokesperson said.
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