The 2027 Kia Seltos is the brand's entry-level crossover SUV. Sporting subcompact proportions, it goes up against the Chevrolet Trax and Trailblazer, the Nissan Kicks, the Toyota Corolla Cross, and the Hyundai Venue. Only the Corolla Cross offers a hybrid like the new Seltos HEV.
2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid
Kia redesigns the Seltos for 2027, making it larger, wider, and more spacious. It takes on a more upright design inspired by the three-row Telluride crossover and adds its first-ever hybrid powertrain in a model line called HEV. The new Seltos also gets upgraded interior technology, adds a Multi-Terrain all-wheel-drive (AWD) mode, increases ground clearance to as much as 8.1 inches, and adds more driver-assist features.
Design
The Seltos adopts Kia's "Opposites United" design philosophy, previously seen on the larger Telluride. It sits more upright and has flush door handles. The blunt nose features a full-width, toothy grille bracketed by amber LED daytime running lights (DRLs). The body takes on angular, geometric shapes, with blocky wheel haunches. It tucks in at the bottom, where black rocker panels alleviate visual weight. The shoulder line rises at the rear to create a floating roof look, and diagonal character lines rise from the front wheel arches as part of that geometric design. The taillights echo the front DRLs but with a more squared-off design. The X-Line trim also gets unique bumpers and side sills with black trim and dark gunmetal accents. Kia notes that the Seltos’s ground clearance will increase to as much as 8.1 inches from 7.3 inches, and that is likely on the X-Line trim.
Kia says the Seltos will offer 16- and 18-inch alloy wheels, and the X-Line HEV will come with black 19s.
Powertrain
The Seltos HEV’s hybrid powertrain will consist of a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine, one or two electric motors, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Kia hasn’t announced power figures, but the company says that it will come with front-wheel drive (FWD) or e-AWD, the latter likely adding a rear electric motor for AWD. The company also says e-AWD will improve power, but power figures aren’t available yet. A similar system with only FWD makes 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque in the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid. Fuel economy ratings aren’t available yet, but the Elantra Hybrid gets up to 54 mpg combined.
Kia hasn’t announced towing capacity or if the Seltos HEV will be able to tow at all. The X-Line trim will offer a modicum of off-road capability with its (likely) taller ground clearance and available AWD.
Interior
Kia hasn’t announced how the Seltos Hybrid will be equipped, but expect standard cloth upholstery with manually adjustable front seats. A power-adjustable driver’s seat will be offered with memory and four-way lumbar adjustments. Kia will also offer synthetic leather upholstery. The shifter will become a stalk behind the squared-off steering wheel, and the Seltos will also incorporate push-button start. A panoramic sunroof will be available.
The larger size, especially the 2.4-inch longer wheelbase, unlocks more passenger and cargo space. The 2027 Seltos will have more legroom, headroom, shoulder room, and hip room. The rear seat will have an additional inch of legroom, and cargo space will check in at 27.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 64.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The cargo area will have the so-called Kia Add Gear attachment points.
Technology
The 2027 Kia Seltos will be available with up to almost 30 total inches of screens. It will come standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and will be available with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 5-inch climate panel display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will come standard. The Seltos will offer display themes for the screens for every NBA team, Kia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup sponsorship, and several Disney brands. Kia hasn’t shared information on audio systems yet.
Connected navigation will be available, and owners will be able to update it over the air. The new Seltos will also come with a generative AI assistant that can respond to “Hey Kia” voice commands, and the Kia Connect app will let owners lock, unlock, cool, heat, and start the vehicle remotely. Entertainment and Data Services will let owners stream Disney+, Netflix, and YouTube. Kia myQ Connected Garage will let owners control their garage doors through the touchscreen.
Safety
The 2027 Kia Seltos will come standard with a generous list of standard safety equipment for the class. These features will include lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, a driver-attention monitor, forward collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection and intersection assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, speed-limit warning, and front and rear parking sensors. Also available will be speed-limit assist, blind-spot monitors with steering support, rear cross-traffic alerts and braking, safe exit warning, and a surround-view camera system.
Pricing and Release Date
Kia will offer the 2027 Seltos in LX, S, EX and X-Line trims with the base 2.0-liter engine and only in the X-Line trim with the upgrade 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. However, Kia hasn’t announced trim levels for the 2027 Seltos Hybrid other than confirming the X-Line trim.
The 2.0-liter and turbocharged 1.6-liter versions of the 2027 Kia Seltos will go on sale in the second quarter of this year, and the new HEV will hit the market late in the fourth quarter. Prices and a complete equipment list will be available closer to launch.
