Kia Spectra Reviews

Kia has announced its new Seltos small SUV will ditch a pure petrol power in favour of a hybrid-only lineup for the new generation. It marks a significant change for one of the brand’s best-selling models in Australia, with it previously being a petrol-only model. The switch puts the Seltos into direct competition with hybrid variants of the Hyundai Kona as well as the hybrid-exclusive Toyota Corolla Cross. It will also take on budget offerings such as the Chery Tiggo 4 and the GWM Haval Jolion, which have hybrid choices, as well as petrol. The Seltos has been one of Kia's best-selling models and accumulated more than 9000 sales in 2025.There is no official news on price but it is likely to be a step up on the outgoing petrol variant’s starting price of $31,250 (before on-road costs).Based on South Korean pricing, it could even sit around the $40,000-plus bracket, especially for high-specification models.The brand has not yet revealed the set-up that will power the new Seltos in Australia. Overseas examples have a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, which produces 105kW and 265Nm, so we can use this as a guide. The car will be available with front-wheel- or all-wheel-drive. The brand stated its move to hybrid only has been directed by the need to meet Euro 6d standards and also to stay within New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) emissions regulations in Australia.There will still be a petrol variant of the car sold elsewhere in the world, but we will not see it Down Under.  One of the other major changes to the next-generation Seltos is that the car has grown in every dimension but height, where it has shrunk slightly. This has increased headroom and legroom in the car as well as rear storage space, which is now at 483L.Elsewhere inside, there is a single panel of a central touchscreen, digital driver display and climate control screen spanning much of the dashboard. The Seltos is expected to launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year, with further details, including price to be announced closer to then. 

Kia has revealed a hybrid version Kia K4 hatch to complement the strong-selling petrol variants remains part of the brand's plans in Australia. The K4 hybrid appears to still be on target for a launch Down Under this year, but timing has not been confirmed, according to local Product Planning Manager Raymond Pok. “We launched with just the petrol variants and we’re pretty keen to get a hybrid as quickly as we can,” Pok told CarsGuide.  “It’s still in the plans, but timing is to be confirmed.” The K4 is a competitive seller in the small car segment, only trailing the Toyota Corolla. It has amassed more sales in 2026 than the hugely popular Hyundai i30 and Mazda3, turning around a deficit to those rivals last year. Currently the K4 is only available with petrol engines.Most of the range comes with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre unit, with top-spec GT-line models getting a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine.  The hybrid starts from $32,090 (before on-road costs) and comes in hatch or sedan body shapes.Expect the hybrid K4 to have a slight bump on price compared to the petrol version when it finally gets to Australia. There are no confirmed details yet on what the hybrid set-up will look like, but there is a good chance it will be a version of the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol electric motor unit found in other Kia hybrid cars and the mechanically similar Hyundai i30 sedan.This means it's in line for a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor, which combines for 104kW and 265Nm. Fuel use in the similar Hyundai i30 sedan is just 3.9L/100km. Kia Australia Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith revealed 30 per cent of all the brand’s sales at the moment are coming from hybrid models. The K4’s petrol-only lineup could pose problems down the line, with the brand conscious of potential fines leveled at the maker because of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) . “You just have to look at the penalties for NVES on a petrol vehicle versus a hybrid vehicle,” General Manager Marketing for Kia Australia Dean Norbiato said. “For us to be a sustainable OEM in this market, hybrid obviously makes sense from that standpoint.”

Kia has poured cold water on the prospects of its EV2 budget electric SUV making it to Australia. The EV2 was unveiled at the start of this year at the Brussels Motor Show and it was expected to hit Australia in the second quarter. It was also poised to carry the important tag of the brand’s cheapest fully electric vehicle on sale in Australia. It now looks the brand has backtracked on its prospects to bring in the EV2, with question marks over its competitiveness in Australia. The brand remains keen to bring in the EV2 if the numbers line up so it is not completely off the cards yet. “It has been in our product plan, there is no question about that,” Kia Australia Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith said.“The reality is we’re still working it out.“If we can, we will, but there are some things that are compounding that are going to make it difficult.”The EV2 lines up as a rival to other small electric vehicles, which often sit at the budget end of a carmaker’s line-up. This includes the BYD Dolphin, MG4 and the outgoing GWM Ora, which have price tags under $40K.The EV2 would also have to be priced less than one of Kia's best-selling electric cars, the EV3, which starts from $47,600 (before on-road costs). This necessary price competitiveness raises complications for the EV2 to launch in Australia, given it is manufactured in Europe. The cost of transporting vehicles from Europe to Australia adds significantly to the price. This has been a major roadblock for brands looking to bring budget-targeting cars from Europe. Costs are further blown out by the fact imported vehicles are subject to import duty and goods and services taxes, all raising the price further.This means EV2 may not be offered at the price it needs to be, according to Kia. “You’re not going to bring a product that’s not competitive for its segment in market and we need to make sure that it is to bring it in,” Kia Australia’s General Manager Marketing Dean Norbiato told CarsGuide. 

Kia's evolution from affordable outsider to mainstream brand is complete, but can it now become a genuine premium offering? The new EV9 GT pushes the brand in terms of performance, luxury and price. We drive this new, opulent, six-seat SUV to find out how it stacks up as both an electric vehicle and a luxury brand alternative.

One of the best-selling brands has just declared the car market has changed for good.Since the Iran war and the intermittent access to the Strait of Hormuz, the price of fuel, particularly in Australia, has skyrocketed.It has coincided with substantial increases in the purchase of electrified vehicles, arguably accelerating the transition towards an EV future.Hyundai, sister brand of Kia, has reported a 158 per cent supply increase for EVs in the second quarter of 2026, describing demand at an "unprecedented level”.Chinese brand Chery has also seen its electrified sales climb to around 70 per cent of all vehicles it sells. Kia is another brand reporting large EV sales increases, with a split of 40 per cent all-electric, 30 per cent hybrid and 30 per cent pure combustion. The brand's EV3 and EV5 SUVs have been the main cars boosting electric sales.There were nearly 16,000 electric vehicles sales in March 2026, almost double the same month last year. And pure-petrol sales continue to decline at an even faster rate than diesel.A key question surrounding this EV sales bump is whether heightened EV uptake will continue at the same rate, even after fuel prices decrease.This is a pertinent point given electric vehicles remain more expensive to purchase than petrol rivals.Kia Australia Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith said the change to the car market since mid-March may be structural.“Yes, I think it's going to be somewhere between 30 and 40 per cent ,” Meredith told CarsGuide. “We measure it very closely, but it’s bouncing around a little bit. “I think certainly we’re not going back to their 8, 12 per cent share of the market. “That’s now above 20 per cent, but it could be above 30 per cent, so I think even if it went to 25 per cent that structural change is massive," he said.It is not just fuel prices which are driving an accelerated EV surge, with policy factors also contributing. Results for the 2025 performance period of the National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) were released earlier this year.It saw several brands receive hefty liabilities, which will turn into fines if they don’t meet their interim emissions value targets by next year.Electric vehicles have an interim emissions value of zero, meaning brands incur credits as opposed to liabilities on units sold.

It was not so long ago plug-in hybrids looked to have found the middle ground between electrified power and long driving range. PHEV power experienced more growth than any other powertrain type in 2025 - and by some significant margin. It was up by more than 130 per cent compared to 2024.Leading the charge for PHEV power is the BYD Shark 6 ute, one of the few utes to experience sales growth last year. Its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors provided outstanding fuel economy (when the battery was charged) capturing attention despite modest towing and carrying capacity. Most other brands have also jumped on the PHEV pathway, especially in the SUV segment. However, it now looks like a change might be on the horizon, as fully-electric sales continue to rise and at an even faster rate.There is a combination of factors likely contributing to this new set of circumstances in the new car sales space.While PHEVs offer incredible fuel efficiency, EVs do not need any fuel and obviously have far superior electric-only driving range with electric-only driving range remaining one of the biggest selling points for PHEVs. This is becoming an increasingly relevant point for buyers due to the current scarcity and cost of fuel in Australia.One of the other key factors which could erode PHEV sales is the substantial improvement in driving range of electric cars. Most EVs now offer more than 400km before needing to be charged, and even then charging times have also rapidly improved, with most brands targeting a 30 minute-or-less fast charge time compared to an hour previously.Charging infrastructure has been seeing rapid investment in Australia in the past 12 months, with governments as well as major brands getting on board. Just this week, the New South Wales government announced $45 million of funding towards new public fast chargers as part of its ‘2026 NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy’, and this adds to the existing federal ARENA public funding for EV infrastructure.BYD has also confirmed it will bring its ‘Flash’ charging to Australia this year, removing barriers to charge speed usually imposed by the grid thanks to an inclusion of a high-voltage buffer battery.There is also the question of increasing accessibility to electric vehicles in Australia, with many becoming available at a more affordable price point. The BYD Atto 1, for example, is available from $23,990, before on-road costs, while the cheapest PHEV, also a BYD, the Sealion 5 is $10,000 more. This is more reflective of the types of vehicles in which PHEV set-ups are offered as opposed to electric cars. The most common PHEV car body type is SUVs, which targets family buyers and more car (size-wise, with two powertrains instead of one) costs you more money.And yet, the models surging the most in the sales charts are the fully electric Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X, which are both in that core mid-size family buyer segment.This combined with the early adopter phase for much of this technology ending and electrified cars becoming more mainstream will mean some buyers who don't have access to home charging, like those who live in units, might not be able to utilise the key benefits of a PHEV.Many of this wider-audience may value the range on offer from an EV, which will see them charge only once or twice a week as a benefit at such a competitive price-point, not having to worry about not being able to charge at home, and not needing to fuel up altogether. This is also an audience which predominantly buys small or mid-size SUVs.PHEVs then, may be destined to be relegated to only larger vehicles, like utes and three-row SUVs where battery electrics become less cost competitive.

Kia has confirmed its short-term new model plans, with the upcoming EV2 small SUV to be followed up with what appears to be an EV1 and a hybrid/electric ute.At Kia’s CEO Investor day, the brand’s CEO Ho Sung Song confirmed a range of future products to be launched by the brand before the end of the decade.Song said its fully electric line-up will expand to 14 models by 2030, made up of 11 passenger cars, and three commercial vehicles.It is part of the brand’s push to be recognised as what Song termed as a “Tier-1 EV brand.”On the passenger car front, this will include the EV2 this year, but also the Syros city EV for the Indian market, a Mazda2-sized electric hatchback, a new mid-size SUV (to live between EV5 and EV6 in terms of price), and an little SUV, expected to be the EV1.The brand will continue to lean into its “PBV” commercial vehicle range. The first of the Kia PBVs to launch in Australia will be the PV5 mid-size van, due imminently, wearing a keen $55,990 price-tag for the single Cargo S launch variant.From there, the brand will launch a larger PV7 globally later this year, and then the large PV9 by 2029.All versions of the PV vans will score multiple bodystyles, totalling 40, including standard, long-wheelbase, cab chassis and passenger variants, but also an open-bed pick-up truck form as well as purpose-built taxis, campervans and luxury layouts.The headlining news is the announcement of another ute to bolster the brand's range. Kia said this model will be a US-dedicated HEV pick-up due before 2030. While the brand showed the silhouette of the Tasman on its slides regarding this incoming model, it seems there will be a distinct product designed to compete with US-specific “mid-size” models.It will be available as both a plugless hybrid, but will also feature a new range-extender hybrid system, which has also been hinted at by Kia’s Hyundai parent company.Kia says the new system will use a proprietary system, which leverages the generator motor as the drive motor, and will reduce costs by using “optimised battery sizing” while improving range through “engine based battery charging.”This new range-extender hybrid will use only electric motors to drive the wheels, with no tailshaft connecting the rear wheels to the front, as per a graphic shown by the brand. In this sense, the system will be closer in its design to a BYD Shark 6.This push into electric cars, vans and even a ute, won’t come at the cost of combustion models either. Kia promised nine new combustion cars before 2030, including the next-gen Telluride large SUV and the Seltos small SUV.The brand also promises “entry-level” hybrid versions of many of these cars as it hopes to sell nearly 70 per cent electrified models by 2030.It confirmed it is also working on a new software-defined vehicle, which will “debut to customers’ in 2028, with an eye to launching a dedicated robotaxi model in “late 2030.”Locally, the next major launches for Kia will be the arrival of its next-generation Seltos, as well as the arrival of the PV5. Stay tuned for more as the brand will no doubt announce more plans for 2027 in the second half of this year.

Kia has confirmed critical details of the brand's upcoming ute, and seemingly inadvertently spilled on Hyundai's plans for a BYD Shark 6-fighting dual-cab.

Sales of petrol-powered cars are declining in the Australian new vehicle market and the popularity of electric propulsion is on a fuel price-driven tear, but there are some significant models bucking the EV transition trend.According to data from industry statistician VFacts and the Electric Vehicle Council, year-on-year sales of pure-electric vehicles were up 92.1 per cent at the end of the first quarter (34,382 vs 17,901 units) with EV uptake rising by 88.9 per cent in March compared to the same month last year (15,839 vs 8385 units).At the same time, sales of petrol-powered vehicles have decreased by 17.8 per cent YTD (101,147 vs 123,132) and 20.1 per cent for the month of March (34,694 vs 43,784).And it’s worth noting hybrid sales are in line with 2025 so far this year (46,952 vs 47,014), which may be explained by a supply shortage in the first quarter for Toyota’s top-selling RAV4. Plug-in hybrids are up 40.2 per cent (13,715 vs 19,230).But despite oil supply shortages caused by the current conflict in Iran sending the price of petrol through the roof, several conventionally-powered models have seen sales grow strongly so far this year.  Kia’s compact K4 has clearly built a strong following with the sedan arriving here early in 2025 and the hatch version joining it late in the year.From a modest launch base year-on-year sales are up no less than 240.8 per cent (2771 vs 813 units), the sleek 1.6- and 2.0-litre five-seater now standing as the Korean brand’s third-best seller so far in 2026.And Kia’s Seltos small SUV hit a purple patch in March with sales up 13.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2025 (849 vs 746).Mazda’s evergreen CX-5 medium SUV is up 12 per cent YTD (6247 vs 5538), likely winning over Toyota RAV4 prospects unwilling to wait the three to six months it currently takes to put the previous category-leader on your driveway.The CX-5 (6247 units) is now in a mid-size SUV cage fight with the Mitsubishi Outlander (6363 units) for category leadership.On the subject of Mazda, the long-serving fourth-generation version of the Japanese maker’s iconic MX-5 sports car has jumped 34.2 per cent so far this year (196 vs 146) with 90 sold in the month of March compared to just 34 last year (+164.7 per cent). And thumbing your nose at EVs via a roofless petrol-powered car must be a theme because the Mini Convertible is up 202 per cent YTD (103 vs 34 units).Then, despite Porsche taking a hit in sales overall so far in 2026, the latest iteration of its celebrated 911 is up a healthy 182.8 per cent (345 vs 122) YTD. What fuel price increase?

Kia has revealed pricing for its upcoming next-generation tradie van, the PV5.Starting at $55,990 before on-road costs for its single launch Cargo S Long Range variant, the PV5 is more affordable than all of its key rivals, setting the new price-to-beat for the electric tradie van segment.Equipped with a 71.2kWh NMC battery pack, the PV5 has a WLTP-certified range of 416km. Kia is yet to lock in any more local specifications for the van, with further details to be revealed imminently at the Melbourne Motor Show.However, from equivalent European spec, we can see this single motor front-wheel drive version with the 71.2kWh battery is powered by a 120kW/250Nm electric motor.It has a torsion-beam rear suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels (or 16-inch steel wheels), and LED lighting on the outside, with a 7.5-inch digital dash and 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the inside.Overseas versions with the long range battery are also equipped with a vehicle-to-load function, both with a three-pin port inside and via the external charging port for powering devices from the van’s battery, as well as the full active safety suite and over-the-air update functionality.Charging from 10 - 80 per cent is completed in less than 30 minutes, according to equivalent UK versions, thanks to a peak charging speed of 150kW, with 11kW AC charging delivering a 10 - 100 per cent charge in six hours, 30 minutes.UK market versions have the PV5 Cargo wielding a 4420 litre load space, which can accommodate two Euro-sized pallets with a 790kg payload. The tailgate features barn doors and a 419mm rear step height for easy loading. Built-in LED illumination, protective trims, mounting points and track rails can be optionally added.Expect to learn more about the PV5 imminently, but it is set to make a splash in the segment. At $55,990, it becomes the most affordable fully electric van, unseating the previous price-leading Peugeot e-Partner Pro LWB and Renault Kangoo E-Tech SWB, both of which start at $61,990 and are a full size down.The more size-equivalent LDV eDeliver 7 SWB starts from $69,463 (drive-away), while the most affordable Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo starts from $69,990. The next port-of-call in the segment is the Farizon SuperVan SWB which moves into the $70k-plus category.The PV5 will debut Kia’s new range of electric commercial vehicles to Australia, which will also eventually see the addition of the larger PV7, as the brand looks to capitalise on its low-emissions advantage over its key rivals and even its Hyundai sister brand.