Kia Seltos 2026 News

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?

Fuel prices in Australia are soaring, meaning fuel efficiency in vehicles is a more important consideration than ever. Hybrid cars offer the potential for superior fuel efficiency compared to internal combustion power without the big price premium if fully electric or plug-in hybrid options. This makes them an increasingly attractive option for buyers given the current global climate. Hybrid sales are already booming in Australia, but will increases in fuel prices accelerate the shift away from pure internal combustion cars? NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said that while hybrid sales are increasing, an even swifter transition is less than clear. “If you’re driving a standard vehicle with a 55-litre tank, compared to what we were paying before the war began to now, it’s a $45 increase on one tank of petrol. That applies regardless of whether it’s hybrid or petrol,” Khoury said. “Historically speaking, looking at what happens after an oil shock, it certainly opens up their consideration. “No doubt that if this crisis continues and these prices hang around for weeks or months, Australians will look at those alternatives more seriously.” Below is a comparison between popular petrol and hybrid choices in each segment to see how they stack up in a changing fuel context. Fuel cost has been calculated using current data from the New South Wales’ government’s average fuel price for unleaded 95 petrol and diesel. Toyota’s Corolla hybrid hatch offers superior fuel efficiency and driving range compared to the Kia K4 petrol model. The Corolla is also cheaper to fill up with fuel thanks to its smaller tank and offers a substantially bigger driving range. The Kia Seltos is a petrol-only variant, but despite its bigger fuel tank, it has less driving range than the Toyota Corolla Cross, courtesy of the hybrid powertrain. The bigger fuel tank means the Seltos is also more expensive to fill up. The mid-size CX-5 has a non-turbo charged petrol engine, which sees it offer an impressive estimated driving range of more than 800km, but once again the Toyota competitor’s fuel efficiency wins out in the RAV4 hybrid. The Toyota Kluger continues the Japanese juggernaut’s fuel efficient theme, with a hybrid set-up offering a driving range of more than 1122km, which is significantly more than the MQ QS, despite both cars costing a similar amount to fill up at the bowser. Utes are some of the worst affected by the fuel price increase as many of them are powered using diesel engines, with diesel fuel rising more than petrol. It has now risen to well beyond the $2.60 mark per litre. The BYD Shark’s plug-in hybrid set-up uses petrol, which makes it an affordable option, given the price of diesel. It should be noted that the Shark 6’s fuel efficiency is significantly reduced when the battery is not charged. It’s a similar story for the GWM Cannon Alpha, which should be noted is no longer on sale, but remains one of limited plug-less hybrid utes in Australia. 

The new-generation Kia Seltos compact SUV has been officially priced in South Korea.The Seltos petrol starts from around 24.8 million Korean won, which equates to just less than $25,000.Kias in Australia tends to cost an extra 30-40 per cent compared to South Korean equivalents. Based on this, we can speculate a starting price of somewhere in the mid-$30,000s, so there will be a subtle price increase on the previous model.Hybrid variants of the Seltos will be more expensive and we can expect a start price of around the $40,000-plus bracket. This pricing would position the Seltos in a similar price range to the current Hyundai Kona, its sister car, which comes with petrol, electric and hybrid set-ups.The Seltos' base hybrid variant would be more expensive than the base Toyota Corolla Cross, which is a hybrid-exclusive model.The Seltos hyrbid will be the first non-petrol model available for the compact SUV, with just two petrol-only choices on sale in Australia at the moment.The incoming hybrid Seltos will help fill the void left by the axed Niro electric and hybrid compact SUV, with its new-generation model officially ruled out for an Aussie launch. The Seltos’ has four power set-up choices on the new model.There will be a 2.0-litre non-turbo petrol option, producing 110kW and 179Nm along with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 132kW/265Nm or 142kW/265Nm.The hybrid will have a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and an electric motor, which produces 105kW and 265Nm.The car will continue to be available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive layouts. It will feature plenty of new safety gear onboard, including advanced collision avoidance systems for forward, blind spot and rear cross traffic.There will be a digital key, wireless phone charging and a revamped multimedia system, which has a single digital display spanning across the dashboard.Deliveries in South Korea will begin in the coming days. The new Kia Seltos will launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026. 

Aussies SUV shoppers will be spoiled for choice in 2026.Kia is the latest carmaker to confirm a new version of one its most popular models, with the new-generation Seltos breaking cover ahead of its Australian arrival late next year.The new Seltos ushers in a lot of changes to beef up its arsenal to battle newcomers such as the MG ZS, Chery Tiggo 4 and old favourites including the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Kona from sister brand Hyundai.Kia’s compact SUV will come with hybrid power for the first time. The brand hasn’t revealed any details of the hybrid set-up, but it is believed to mirror the one found in the Kona.That likely means a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine matched with an electric motor and small battery. This set-up produces a combined 104kW and 265Nm in the Kona and is paired with a six-speed dual-clutch auto that drives the front wheels. Fuel use should be sub-4.0L/100km, too.This will be joined by two petrol engines.The first is a familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder non-turbo motor found in the current Seltos (minus 1kW), which now makes 110kW and 179Nm. It will likely be matched to a CVT auto.Next up is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine. This is available in two tunes making either 132kW/265Nm or 142kW/265Nm. It is likely Australia will use the second option paired with an eight-speed auto, which is currently used in the Seltos albeit with 4kW more.Kia Australia hasn’t confirmed the Seltos line-up for Down Under yet, but it is likely to offer the two petrol options and hybrid from its Q4 launch.It will be available in front- or all-wheel drive layouts, with the AWD versions swapping out a rear torsion beam set-up for a more refined multi-link suspension at the back.Currently Kia fits the turbo motor to AWD versions and the non-turbo engine to FWD examples, this strategy is expected to carry-over to the new generation. No word yet on if the hybrid will be available in FWD or AWD layouts, but Hyundai only sells the Kona Hybrid in FWD.The Seltos will also benefit from a local ride and handling tune, which it said will take place at the start of next year.The company also claimed to have improved sound deadening to improve the driving experience.Kia has stretched the Seltos. It is now 45mm longer than before and with a 60mm longer wheelbase. The longer wheelbase — or distance between front and rear axles — typically determines how much interior space a car has. The spacious cabin has also been enhanced with a column-mounted shift-by-wire gear selector, which leaves the centre console free for other uses.The Seltos is also claimed to have class-leading boot space, with 536L of storage, according to Kia.A new design maintains the Seltos’ boxy physique but new lighting signatures front and back add some modern touches to its appeal. There is the option of 16-, 17-, 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels.Kia has also confirmed a new X-Line trim, which will feature more rugged styling compared to the more glitzy GT-Line.High-end models will benefit from plenty of large screens inside and a head-up display that projects vital information, such as travelling speed and safety warnings, onto the windscreen in front of the driver.Kia has fitted plenty of advanced safety tech to the new Seltos, with all bases covered.Kia will produce the Seltos in China, India and South Korea, with Australian-delivered vehicles built in Korea.

We just got a closer look at a revamped compact SUV. Kia has released an official teaser video for its new-generation Seltos. The video runs for 27 seconds, so we do not get a comprehensive look at the new Seltos, but do get some key details. In the absence of full body shots of the car, the video focuses on specific elements of the exterior design. The car in the photos is an all-wheel drive version of the Seltos, bearing the ‘4X’ badging on the back. It gets a boxy overall design, and it is similar to what is found on the brand’s all-electric EV3 small SUV, and in keeping with the just-unveiled Telluride three-row SUV. It features a curious light design, with a light strip that runs along the length of the boot. Other elements include a rear spoiler, alluding to a sleek design, and hidden door handles.It is anticipated the new-generation Seltos will get a hybrid power set-up for the first time ever. This hybrid is likely to have the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor found in its sister car, the Hyundai Kona, producing a combined 104kW and 265Nm. It has not been confirmed where the new Australian Seltos will be built, with Kia capable of producing the car in either India or South Korea.It is likely that the Aussie version will continue to be built in South Korea to share the K3 platform also found on the Kona. The Seltos is currently available in Australia exclusively with a petrol engine. A hybrid set-up would bring it into line with much of Kia’s range, which has undergone a sustained hybrid shift. The brand recently unveiled a more comprehensive range of HEVs and PHEVs for its larger Sorento, with a now 20-strong variant lineup for the SUV. The Seltos is still battling to recapture its status as a strong seller in the Aussie market’s busy small SUV category. It sits behind many of its rivals, selling less than 9000 units so far in 2025. It trails its sister car the Kona, with MG’s ZS and the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro among other better sellers. Its rumoured starting price in its native South Korean market is roughly 20 million won, which is around $21,000, but it will endure a bit of a tax-related price hike when it hits Australia. The new-generation Seltos will be officially unveiled tomorrow, with an Australian launch date in the second half of 2026.

A first look at what the next Kia Seltos will look like - and what you can expect from the next-gen Korean small SUV.

As Kia’s much-anticipated next-gen Seltos approaches, so do estimations of what the small SUV might look like.