Kia has opened orders for the Seltos Hybrid in South Korea, describing the model as part of its “groundwork for the electric vehicle era.” That phrasing immediately sparked speculation: if the Seltos is being positioned as a bridge to EVs, does an all-electric Seltos lie ahead?
The short answer appears to be no—at least not directly.
Kia’s strategy has become clearer over the past year. After selling more than 3.13 million vehicles globally in 2025, the company has leaned heavily into a dual-track approach: rapid EV expansion alongside more efficient hybrids for high-volume models. New EVs like the EV4, EV5, and PV5 are rolling out globally, with the smaller EV2 joining later in 2026. At the same time, hybrids are being added to best-selling SUVs such as the Telluride and now the Seltos.
In South Korea, the Seltos Hybrid launches with a 1.6-liter hybrid system starting at just under 29 million won (about $20,100), alongside a 1.6-liter turbo gasoline option. Kia says the hybrid’s role is not just fuel savings, but familiarizing mainstream buyers with electrification. Features like vehicle-to-load (V2L) and smart regenerative braking—once limited to EVs—are now included, subtly shifting expectations about what a “normal” SUV should offer.
That messaging led some to believe an electric Seltos was inevitable. Kia has since clarified that its strategy is more segmented. The Kia Niro will continue to serve as the dual hybrid-and-EV offering, while the Seltos remains gasoline and hybrid only. The electric role in the Seltos size class is instead handled by the Kia EV3, which is already selling strongly in Europe, the UK, and South Korea.
That distinction matters by region. In Europe, where emissions regulations are tight and EV adoption is high, the EV3 makes more sense than an electric Seltos. Its pricing, efficiency, and size align well with urban buyers, while the Seltos Hybrid fits markets that still demand flexibility and longer driving range without charging dependence.
In the US and Canada, the picture is more complicated. The EV3 is not yet sold there, leaving the Seltos Hybrid to carry the electrification message for now. Kia has said it plans to bring the EV3 to North America around 2026, likely priced between $35,000 and $40,000. When it arrives, it would function as the electric alternative to the Seltos rather than a replacement.
Australia sits somewhere in between. Hybrids remain popular, charging infrastructure is uneven outside major cities, and compact SUVs dominate sales charts. In that context, the Seltos Hybrid may be the more practical choice in the near term, with EV3 volumes growing gradually rather than immediately.
My view is that Kia is being deliberately cautious—and smart. Instead of forcing every popular model into an EV version, it is assigning each nameplate a clear role. The Seltos Hybrid isn’t a stepping stone to an electric Seltos; it’s a way to keep a high-volume SUV relevant across markets that are moving toward electrification at very different speeds. That clarity may frustrate some buyers hoping for a simple “EV Seltos,” but it gives Kia the flexibility to win in Europe, North America, and beyond without overextending a single model.
