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Kia Seltos Hybrid to compete with the Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid as well as the upcoming Renault Duster Hybrid
Just a month after confirming the Seltos Hybrid for India at the 2026 CEO Investor Day, Kia seems to have started its local testing. Recently, a camouflaged test mule of the Seltos was spotted in India, and it is alleged to be featuring the upcoming hybrid powertrain.
The Kia Seltos Hybrid, like in international markets such as South Korea and the U.S., where it has already been unveiled, is unlikely to feature any major design changes. Save for an “HEV” badge on the tailgate and perhaps distinctive 18-inch alloy wheels, the exterior should look no different from the ICE donor. Speaking of the tailgate, while the Seltos comes with a regular tailgate, the Seltos Hybrid should feature a smart powered tailgate.
Inside, too, the overall design of the Seltos Hybrid should be identical to the ICE variant. Kia may use a different colour scheme and revise the software of the 12.3-inch HD digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system to bundle some additional functions specific to the hybrid variant. The 5.0-inch climate control touchscreen may not have any changes.
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Kia will likely include a 220-volt vehicle-to-load (V2L) port in the cargo area of the Seltos Hybrid, allowing consumers to power external devices, like an electric kettle, for instance, using the energy stored in the traction battery. The company may only offer a tyre mobility kit instead of a spare tyre, as it’d need some space in that area for this high-voltage battery. Needless to say, the boot space will be lower than the ICE variant’s 447 litres.
Powering the Seltos Hybrid in India will likely be a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with an electric motor, both driving the front wheels. An AWD configuration with a second electric motor used to drive the rear wheels is technically possible, but we doubt the company will give that choice in our market. We expect the Seltos Hybrid’s fuel economy rating to be around 25 km/l. Besides a higher fuel economy, Kia could offer a better ride quality in the hybrid variant with a multi-link rear suspension.
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Kia will likely launch the Seltos Hybrid in India sometime early next year. Media reports say the company is planning a significant localisation of core components to price the hybrid model aggressively.
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