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Kia Seltos Hybrid arrives in Europe with electric e-AWD

© A. Krivonosov
Germany gets the Kia Seltos Hybrid from €37,490, with 154 or 178 hp, a six-speed DCT, optional e-AWD and V2L.

Kia has brought the second-generation Seltos Hybrid to the Paris Motor Show. It is the model’s European show premiere, although orders in Germany opened on August 27 and deliveries begin in October. The front-wheel-drive hybrid starts at €37,490 in Germany, while the version with electric e-AWD starts at €40,190.

The key feature is the drivetrain layout. According to Kia, the Seltos is the brand’s first model with e-AWD. The front wheels are driven by a hybrid system combining a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine producing 102 hp with a 61 hp electric motor, while the e-AWD version adds a separate rear electric motor rated at 50 kW, or 68 hp. There is no mechanical transfer of torque between the front and rear axles.

The front-wheel-drive version develops 154 hp, while the all-wheel-drive model produces 178 hp. Both use a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 10.4 and 9.7 seconds respectively.

According to Kia’s German specifications, combined fuel consumption is 5.4 and 5.8 l/100 km for the front- and all-wheel-drive versions respectively. The manufacturer claims fuel savings of up to 23% compared with comparable petrol models. Another unusual feature is V2L: a 230 V socket in the luggage compartment can power external devices even when the engine is off. Availability depends on trim and the feature is standard on GT-Line and X-Line, among others.

The Seltos is 4430 mm long and offers 536 litres of luggage capacity. The cabin uses a panoramic triple-display layout: two 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, with a separate 5.3-inch climate-control display between them. For the U.S. market, Kia has also announced a new hybrid powertrain and available all-wheel drive for the second generation.

A hybrid Seltos is also planned for India. Kia India sales and marketing chief Atul Sood said in 2025: “We have a clear direction – we will introduce a hybrid version of the Seltos.” The company did not give an exact launch date at the time; industry sources expect an introduction around late 2026 to the first half of 2027 after localisation of key hybrid-system components. Specifications for the Indian version have not yet been officially disclosed.

This English edition was prepared using AI translation under editorial oversight by SpeedMe. The original reporting is by Polina Kotikova

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