The popular mid-size SUV will be available in a hybrid avatar across many international markets, including India
As we experienced the new-gen Kia Seltos in the flesh for the first time at the unveiling event yesterday, the Korean auto giant has confirmed that it is working on a hybrid avatar of the famed mid-size SUV as well. Interestingly, it will be sold in the US, Europe, Korea and even India. That is a huge commitment and shows how the Korean car marque is assessing and preparing for the future. Seltos is an iconic moniker for Kia, not just in India, but across the globe. With electrification, Kia will ensure that the Seltos remains a key product in its portfolio for the coming years, too.
Kia Seltos Hybrid
While the electrification market is much more mature in some parts of the world, like the US and Europe, India is still at a relatively nascent stage. Having said that, the growth is exponential, courtesy of carmakers launching new products and investing in establishing charging infrastructure. Even the government has given a huge push for electrified cars and charging stations. Therefore, Kia wants to achieve significant localization of hybrid components before launching the Seltos hybrid in India. It will ensure that the technology remains competitive in terms of pricing, which is of utmost importance in our market.
According to the Autocar Professional, Kia’s Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Atul Sood, hinted at the fact that Kia might bring its hybrid technology to our market even before the Seltos. It will be intriguing to see what it has in mind. In any case, the Seltos hybrid could be on sale in India within the next 12-18 months. Some posts online mention that the Seltos hybrid could even feature advanced features like Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), to power other electrical appliances. This is something we have seen on EVs.
My View
The fact that carmakers are beginning to take hybridization as a serious option is indicative of the fact that hybrids might actually have a crucial role to play in facilitating the transition from ICE to electric. When prominent models like the Seltos start getting equipped with hybrid mills, I believe the adoption and change will occur faster. In any case, I shall keep an eye out for more details in this case in the times to come.
Editor’s Note
Yatharth Chauhan, Managing Editor
As someone who has tracked the Seltos’ rise since day one, I see Kia’s move toward a localized hybrid powertrain as a strategically sharp response to India’s value-conscious yet tech-hungry market. Hybrids are fast becoming the real bridge between ICE familiarity and EV aspirations, especially in a segment as fiercely competitive as mid-size SUVs. If Kia gets the pricing and performance mix right, the Seltos Hybrid could genuinely shift the needle for mainstream electrification in India. I’ll be watching closely, this one has the potential to redefine buyer expectations in 2026.
Also Read: New-Gen Kia Seltos Unveiled – All You Need To Know!
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