New-gen Kia Seltos Launch in Current Financial Year - Hybrid Engine

It is no secret that Kia is actively testing the new generation Seltos SUV in India as well as on foreign soil. The company has officially confirmed that the next Kia Seltos will come with a hybrid powertrain. The new model will come with comprehensive design changes in-line with the latest Kia models. 

New-gen Kia Seltos Launch Details

The Korean media reports that the second generation Kia Seltos will be launched in January 2026. We believe that the new model will first launch in India, followed by global reveal in early next year. The SUV could be revealed in India before the end of this year with launch expected in the first quarter of 2026. The Seltos hybrid will only arrive in India in 2027.

Hybrid Engine

The Korean media reports that the next-gen Seltos could get a 141bhp, 1.6-litre hybrid engine that also powers the Hyundai Kona Hybrid and Kia Niro. Adding to it, the company is developing a dedicated electronic all-time four-wheel (E-AWD) system for the Seltos, which will mainly target the European markets.

The India-spec Kia Seltos 2026 is most likely to receive a different hybrid engine, which could be based on a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol engine. The existing 1.6L hybrid unit will prove to be costlier for the price sensitive Indian market. The company is expected to use the locally developed 1.5L NA petrol engine, which will be paired with a small battery pack and an electric motor. This hybrid engine is expected to be offered on future Kia cars including a new 7-seater SUV, which is currently under development.

Petrol and diesel engines to continue

It is expected that the Kia will introduce the next-gen Seltos with the existing engine set-up and hybrid powertrain. The SUV will receive the 1.5L NA petrol, a 1.5L turbo diesel and a 1.5L turbo petrol engine. It is expected that the hybrids will come as a replacement for the diesel engines; however, the oil burners are still preferred choice when it comes to premium SUVs in India. 

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