The next-generation Kia Seltos has been teased ahead of its debut on December 10, and like a bride it’s wearing something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.
That last one might be a bit of a stretch, as its seafoam-coloured exterior finish is perhaps on the greener side.
Nevertheless, there’s plenty here that’s familiar – the Seltos’ boxy, upright proportions and its distinctive D-pillar treatment, plus styling details from Kia’s electric vehicles like the EV5 including the large, thin and angular tail-lights and flush door handles.
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The new Seltos manages to avoid looking like an EV5 clone though, with some unique design cues such as the small lighting elements integrated in the grille.
The slim, vertically oriented headlights give it a familial resemblance to other recently launched Kias, again without making the Seltos look like a clone.
“The design blends the rugged heritage of past ICE SUVs with the clean, aerodynamic sophistication of Kia’s latest EVs,” the company says in a press release, noting the Seltos is “guided by Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy”.
Kia will stream the Seltos’ reveal on its YouTube channel.
The second-generation Seltos will offer a “broader range of exterior colour options” plus “distinctive trims such as X-Line and GT-Line”.
It replaces the current model, which was launched in 2019 and which is one of Australia’s best-selling small SUVs.
The Seltos will gain a hybrid powertrain like its Hyundai Kona corporate cousin… even though Kia already has a small hybrid SUV in the Niro, which also has an electric version that overlaps with the EV3.
Per reports out of Korea, the new Seltos Hybrid will feature the same powertrain as the Kona Hybrid, but offer the option of an electronic all-wheel drive (E-AWD) system.
The front-wheel drive-only Kona Hybrid combines a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a 32kW/172Nm electric motor, a 1.32kWh battery pack, and a six-speed automatic transmission.
Total system outputs are 104kW and 265Nm.
Traditional petrol power is also expected to continue. The current Seltos is offered with a choice of naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines.
The Seltos is Kia’s small SUV in most markets, including China, India and the US, though in most European markets Kia instead offers the Xceed, based on the Ceed small car which is being phased out.