2027 Kia Seltos goes hybrid-only in Australia with first e-AWD option
Kia's new-generation small SUV reaches showrooms this month from $39,990 driveaway, swapping its petrol engines for a 1.6-litre hybrid across six grades, with e-AWD reserved for the GT-Line.
Rob Leigh
Key takeaways
- Seltos S starts at $39,990 driveaway, roughly $6,700 dearer than before
- Every grade is now a 1.6-litre hybrid, with petrol engines dropped
- GT-Line AWD brings Kia Australia's first hybrid with e-AWD
Kia Australia has confirmed pricing for the all-new Kia Seltos, with the new-generation small SUV starting at $39,990 driveaway when it reaches dealerships this month. Every grade now runs a 1.6-litre hybrid, replacing the previous 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines.
That switch pushes prices up sharply. The entry Seltos S costs $37,990 before on-road costs, about $6,740 more than the outgoing petrol S, and increases across the range sit between $6,200 and $7,460 before on-roads.
At $39,990 driveaway, the S matches the base Hyundai Kona Hybrid and undercuts the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, its two most obvious hybrid rivals.
Seltos hybrid powertrain and e-AWD
All six grades pair the 1.6-litre petrol-electric system with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. Kia quotes 113kW for front-drive versions and 131kW for the GT-Line AWD.
The GT-Line AWD is the first hybrid in Kia's local range with e-AWD. Instead of a mechanical driveshaft, it uses an electric motor on the rear axle to drive the back wheels, similar to Toyota's approach in the RAV4 hybrid. It costs $2,500 more driveaway than the front-drive GT-Line.
The new Seltos also sits on a larger footprint than its predecessor, though Kia hasn't released dimensions or fuel consumption figures yet.
2027 Kia Seltos pricing in Australia
| Variant | Powertrain | Price excluding on-roads | Driveaway price |
| S | 1.6L hybrid, FWD | $37,990 | $39,990 |
| S with Safety Pack | 1.6L hybrid, FWD | $40,150 | $42,490 |
| Sport | 1.6L hybrid, FWD | $41,910 | $43,990 |
| Sport+ | 1.6L hybrid, FWD | $44,970 | $46,990 |
| GT-Line FWD | 1.6L hybrid, FWD | $49,870 | $52,990 |
| GT-Line AWD | 1.6L hybrid, e-AWD | $52,870 | $55,490 |
View Kia Seltos driveaway pricing and specifications →
Seltos standard equipment by grade
Kia hasn't published full local specifications, but early dealer information outlines the main steps through the range:
- S: 16-inch alloys, LED headlights, twin 12.3-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, cloth seats, adaptive cruise, lane-centring assist and blind-spot monitoring
- Safety Pack: 360-degree camera, blind-spot view monitor, front, side and rear parking sensors, remote parking assist and rear autonomous emergency braking
- Sport: 18-inch alloys, satellite navigation and Highway Driving Assist 2 with assisted lane changes
- Sport+: power driver's seat, heated front seats, part synthetic leather trim, rear privacy glass and rain-sensing wipers
- GT-Line: 19-inch alloys, panoramic sunroof, eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio, ventilated front seats, power tailgate and GT-Line styling
The Safety Pack adds $2,500 to the S in driveaway terms, while the Sport costs just $1,500 more again and adds bigger wheels, navigation and the upgraded driver assistance. That makes the Sport the more convincing buy for most people stepping beyond the base car.
Front-drive grades carry a space-saver spare, while the GT-Line AWD makes do with a tyre repair kit.
The Seltos is available to order now, with showroom arrivals starting in October. Kia says full local specifications, including fuel consumption, are due soon.
Rob Leigh
Co-founder & Director
Rob Leigh is Co-founder and Director of The Beep based in Melbourne, Australia. He has 15+ years inside a major automotive OEM, specialising in product planning, pricing and vehicle strategy.
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