Quick Takeaways
- Kia Seltos Hybrid signals Kia’s next phase in electrified SUV strategy.
- The hybrid Seltos strengthens Kia’s lineup alongside expanding EV offerings.
On January 27, 2026, Kia expanded its electrification roadmap with the launch of the Kia Seltos Hybrid, introducing a hybrid powertrain to the popular compact SUV for the first time. The move follows a record-breaking 2025, when Kia sold more than 3.13 million vehicles globally, supported by growing demand for its electric models, including the EV3.
Kia has indicated no slowdown in 2026, with the EV4, EV5, and PV5 rolling out across global markets and the entry-level EV2 scheduled to follow later in the year. Alongside this electric push, the company is strategically adding hybrid options to its best-selling SUVs to support a gradual transition toward full electrification.
After unveiling the Telluride Hybrid at the LA Auto Show, Kia confirmed plans to launch it in the US in Q1 2026, followed by the Kia Seltos Hybrid later in the year. The strategy reflects rising demand for efficient electrified SUVs without full reliance on charging infrastructure.
“To achieve full electrification, we added a 1.6-liter hybrid to the Seltos,” Kia’s head of domestic operations, Won-Jeong Jeong, said during a launch event for the Seltos Hybrid in South Korea on Monday.
The Kia Seltos Hybrid will be offered in two powertrain options starting Tuesday, January 27, 2026: a 1.6-liter hybrid and a 1.6-liter gasoline turbo. Pricing for the hybrid variant begins at 28.98 million won, or about $20,100, positioning it competitively within the compact SUV segment.
“To lay the groundwork for the electric vehicle era, we achieved a combined fuel efficiency of 19.5 km/L in Korea and equipped it with various advanced safety features,” Jeong explained.
Jeong’s remarks fueled online speculation about a potential electric Seltos in the future. Addressing this, a Kia representative clarified that “The Niro will target the domestic market with both an electric and hybrid version, while the Seltos will be available in both a gasoline and hybrid version.”
This approach is expected to extend to overseas markets as Kia ramps up EV3 production. The EV3 is similar in size to the Seltos but is fully electric, allowing Kia to differentiate its compact SUV offerings across powertrain types.
For the US market, where the EV3 is not yet available, future options remain under consideration. In November, Kia America’s marketing chief, Russel Wager, told Car and Driver that Kia is still planning to bring the EV3 to the US at some point in 2026.
Priced from around 36,000 euros, or roughly $42,000, the EV3 has emerged as one of the top-selling electric vehicles in Europe, the UK, and South Korea. If launched in the US, it is expected to start between $35,000 and $40,000, offering an all-electric alternative to the Kia Seltos Hybrid while reinforcing Kia’s broader electrification strategy.
Kia has indicated no slowdown in 2026, with the EV4, EV5, and PV5 rolling out across global markets and the entry-level EV2 scheduled to follow later in the year. Alongside this electric push, the company is strategically adding hybrid options to its best-selling SUVs to support a gradual transition toward full electrification.
After unveiling the Telluride Hybrid at the LA Auto Show, Kia confirmed plans to launch it in the US in Q1 2026, followed by the Kia Seltos Hybrid later in the year. The strategy reflects rising demand for efficient electrified SUVs without full reliance on charging infrastructure.
“To achieve full electrification, we added a 1.6-liter hybrid to the Seltos,” Kia’s head of domestic operations, Won-Jeong Jeong, said during a launch event for the Seltos Hybrid in South Korea on Monday.
The Kia Seltos Hybrid will be offered in two powertrain options starting Tuesday, January 27, 2026: a 1.6-liter hybrid and a 1.6-liter gasoline turbo. Pricing for the hybrid variant begins at 28.98 million won, or about $20,100, positioning it competitively within the compact SUV segment.
“To lay the groundwork for the electric vehicle era, we achieved a combined fuel efficiency of 19.5 km/L in Korea and equipped it with various advanced safety features,” Jeong explained.
- Kia has also added electrification-specific technologies previously reserved for EVs. These include vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability and smart regenerative braking, enhancing everyday usability and energy efficiency for hybrid customers.
Jeong’s remarks fueled online speculation about a potential electric Seltos in the future. Addressing this, a Kia representative clarified that “The Niro will target the domestic market with both an electric and hybrid version, while the Seltos will be available in both a gasoline and hybrid version.”
This approach is expected to extend to overseas markets as Kia ramps up EV3 production. The EV3 is similar in size to the Seltos but is fully electric, allowing Kia to differentiate its compact SUV offerings across powertrain types.
For the US market, where the EV3 is not yet available, future options remain under consideration. In November, Kia America’s marketing chief, Russel Wager, told Car and Driver that Kia is still planning to bring the EV3 to the US at some point in 2026.
Priced from around 36,000 euros, or roughly $42,000, the EV3 has emerged as one of the top-selling electric vehicles in Europe, the UK, and South Korea. If launched in the US, it is expected to start between $35,000 and $40,000, offering an all-electric alternative to the Kia Seltos Hybrid while reinforcing Kia’s broader electrification strategy.
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