Kia has officially confirmed that the Seltos, one of India’s most popular midsize SUVs, will get a hybrid powertrain for the first time in our market. According to Atul Sood, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Kia India, the company has a “clear direction” to introduce a hybrid version of the Seltos, with a market launch targeted between late 2026 and mid-2027.
Key Highlights
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Seltos hybrid expected in India by late 2026 or first half of 2027
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Hybrid components to be heavily localised to control pricing
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Likely based on the existing 1.5-litre NA petrol engine
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Seltos hybrid already sold in global markets like the USA and South Korea
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Another Kia hybrid SUV (likely the Sorento) to debut before the Seltos hybrid
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Kia aims for 25% of its India sales to come from hybrids by 2030
Kia Seltos Hybrid: What to Expect
While Kia hasn’t revealed the technical details, industry sources suggest the upcoming hybrid system could be built around the familiar 115hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. The first-gen Seltos already uses a similar hybrid setup overseas, which strengthens the likelihood of this configuration.
Kia’s decision aligns with the growing demand for high-efficiency hybrid SUVs in India—especially competitors like the Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Grand Vitara.
Another Kia Hybrid SUV Will Arrive First
Sood also hinted that the Seltos hybrid won’t be the first hybrid model from Kia in India. The company is preparing to launch another hybrid SUV ahead of it. This is widely expected to be the new Kia Sorento, which is positioned as a rival to full-size SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster.
Localisation Will Determine Pricing
One of the biggest factors influencing the Seltos hybrid’s launch timeline is localisation of hybrid components. Kia is currently working to localise:
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Battery packs
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Electric motors
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Power control units
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Inverters
Local production will help keep costs competitive, which is crucial in the midsize SUV market where price sensitivity is high. The new Seltos is currently priced between ₹11.25 lakh and over ₹20 lakh (ex-showroom), and introducing a hybrid without localisation could push the pricing significantly higher.
Kia expects localisation efforts to shorten the launch cycle, making it possible to bring the Seltos hybrid to market in the next 12–18 months once localisation plans materialise.
Kia’s Hybrid Strategy for India
At its April 2025 Investor Meeting, Kia announced its ambition for hybrid vehicles to contribute at least 25% of its India sales by 2030. This marks a major shift for the brand, which currently offers only petrol, diesel, and electric models in the country.
The move also positions Kia to take advantage of the upcoming CAFE 3 regulations, which offer better compliance benefits for hybrid and electric vehicles—encouraging manufacturers to expand their eco-friendly portfolios.
Conclusion
The Kia Seltos hybrid’s expected arrival by 2026–27 signals the brand’s strategic push into the rapidly growing hybrid segment. With localisation efforts underway and another hybrid SUV set to launch first, Kia is clearly preparing a strong hybrid roadmap for India.
As competition intensifies in the midsize SUV space, the Seltos hybrid could become a key product for buyers seeking efficiency, performance, and modern tech without moving into full EV territory.
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