Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Kia launches redesigned Seltos with hybrid powertrain
Kia's all-new Seltos SUV / Courtesy of Kia
By Lee Min-hyung
Carmaker sets domestic sales target of 55,000 for 2nd-gen Seltos
Kia has launched its second-generation Seltos compact SUV with a hybrid powertrain, pinning hopes for the vehicle to keep solidifying the carmaker’s leadership in the segment.
The fully redesigned Seltos was revealed Friday, marking its first complete overhaul in six years. The model topped domestic compact SUV sales in 2024, buoyed by its competitive pricing and well-balanced driving performance.
Kia expects the all-new Seltos SUV to continue the sales winning streak, as the carmaker has now released a hybrid powertrain option for the vehicle. Demand for hybrid cars has remained solid amid the mass adoption of electric vehicles.
The carmaker set its sales target of 55,000 units in the home market this year, which Kia said is a “highly achievable” goal.
“We will be able to attain the annual sales target, as its commercial value has dramatically improved, particularly with the launch of the hybrid lineup,” an official from Kia said during a media event.
Kia's all-new Seltos SUV / Courtesy of Kiaa
The price for the Seltos hybrid SUV starts from 28.98 million won ($19,700), which the carmaker said is “very reasonable” compared with its counterparts in the same segment.
“The hybrid model will take up a huge portion of the vehicle’s total sales, as the powertrain is serving as a bridge amid the auto industry’s transition into electrification,” the official said.
Seltos is a key sales driver for Kia, ranking as its model with the second-best sales globally last year. Kia’s flagship Sportage SUV topped the sales chart in 2025 with 569,688 units sold, followed by the Seltos with 299,766 units over the same period.
The Seltos hybrid SUV delivers a maximum output of 141 horsepower with remarkable fuel efficiency of 19.5 kilometers per liter. The 1.6 gasoline turbo model offers a maximum output of 193 horsepower and fuel efficiency of 12.5 kilometers per liter. The hybrid model is equipped with a battery pack supplied by LG Energy Solution.
Kia touted its smart regenerative braking 3.0 system adopted for the hybrid model. The system uses forward traffic flow and various navigation data to automatically adjust the optimal level of regenerative braking. It also enables automatic deceleration all the way to a complete stop, reducing the frequency of brake pedal usage, according to Kia.
The interior of Kia's all-new Seltos SUV / Courtesy of Kia
The redesigned exterior is another upside for the new vehicle. The all-new Seltos focused on retaining the authentic SUV style with a boxy silhouette.
At the front, the bold radiator grille is paired with refined lighting, which Kia described as creating a contrasting yet harmonious look that embodies the carmaker’s family design identity. The vehicle’s horizontally connected tail lamp also highlights its robustness and modern atmosphere, Kia said.
Orders for the vehicle will open Tuesday.