Anticipated Launch of the Seltos Hybrid
Facelift Canceled, but Will Have an Upcoming Full Change?
Hyundai and Kia are taking different approaches to their small SUV strategies. While Hyundai has unified its gasoline, hybrid, and electric models under the Kona brand, Kia has bifurcated its lineup, with the gasoline model being the Seltos and the eco-friendly hybrid and electric models being the Niro.
There were rumors of a hybrid Seltos at one point, but due to interference issues with the Niro, the hybrid was not added when the 2022 facelift model was launched. Instead, a 2.0 gasoline naturally aspirated model was added. However, there’s news that a hybrid will be added to the Seltos’ complete change, set to launch in 2025, drawing attention.
Seltos’ Full Change, Scheduled for 2025 Release
Last November, following discussions and agreements on new car production plans between Kia and its labor union, it was stated that the successor to the Seltos would be launched in 2025. It has already undergone one facelift, which can be considered a complete change. Technically, it’s the second generation of the Seltos, but since the KX3, a strategic model for China, is regarded as the first generation, it can be seen as the third generation. The codename for the current model is SP2, and the successor model has been named SP3.
The third-generation platform, which has already been applied to other cars, will be used. It’s expected that the Seltos’ complete change will also receive the same treatment as its sibling Kona, which has a connected panorama display of a 12.3-inch dashboard and a 12.3-inch central display, along with ccNC. Other option specifications are also expected to be applied at a level similar to the Kona.
Hybrid Addition to Seltos Full Change?
There’s news that a hybrid will be newly added to the Seltos complete change. This was also mentioned at the time of the Seltos facelift launch, but it was not added due to sales interference problems with the Niro. The powertrain specification is likely to be the same as the Kona hybrid.
There are a few speculations about why a hybrid is being added to the Seltos. Electrification is needed to comply with environmental regulations, and the demand for hybrid cars is increasing while the market for electric cars is decreasing. However, we must wait and see since Kia has not officially announced it.
Potential Integration with Niro and Soul
If a hybrid version of the Seltos is launched, it could be integrated with the Niro and Soul. The Niro was initially launched as a small SUV dedicated to eco-friendliness, and as mentioned above, if a hybrid is added to the Seltos, the Niro’s market share is bound to shrink. While the Niro is a crossover SUV with a low overall height and ground clearance, it’s difficult to claim that as its sole merit. Moreover, by 2025, three years after the launch of the second-generation Niro, there should be news of its facelift, but there’s none in the new car plan.
Also, the Soul, which launched its current model in 2019 and underwent a facelift in 2022, should be due for a complete change by 2025. However, it has been discontinued even in the popular U.S. market and is only selling a 2.0 gasoline model in Europe, indicating a shrinking market share. From the manufacturer’s perspective, unifying overlapping positions after discontinuation is more efficient, so it’s a distinct possibility.
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