New-Gen Kia Seltos to Debut Next Year, Will Ofer Hybrid Option
The popular mid-size SUV will receive a thorough update with tons of modern elements including, perhaps, a new hybrid mill
The new-gen Kia Seltos hybrid has been imagined by digital artists as the debut might take place next year. We know that Seltos has been an immensely popular mid-size SUV in India. It was launched in 2019 and has only received a mid-life facelift in 2022. As the vehicle nears its lifecycle, we will get it in a new-gen avatar. In our market, the mid-size SUV segment has been burgeoning in the last few years. There are products from just about every carmaker. Hence, keeping the portfolio fresh is crucial to ensure sales. Let us take a look at the details of what we can expect.
New-Gen Kia Seltos Hybrid Imagined
We were able to get our hands on this virtual illustration courtesy of TopElectricSUV. At the front, it utilizes the typical design philosophy of the Korean auto giant. There are sleek LED DRLs which connect almost fully on the front grille. On the sides, these encapsulate the vertically stacked LED headlamps. The lower frame of the grille is finished in dark chrome. Down below, we see the rugged skid plate section with grey inserts which accentuate its sportiness. On the sides, there are elegant alloy wheels which fill the chunky wheel arches quite neatly. Also, the side body cladding on the door elevates its adventurous nature. I particularly like the ORVM design and black side pillars with grey underlining. I feel this could be close to the actual mode.
We know that Kia equips its products with the utmost comfort and convenience amenities with tech and connectivity features. Even the current-gen model has that and the new-gen avatar will definitely take things to the next level. Talking about the powertrains, we might finally get a hybrid mill to give a tough fight to competitors like the Maruti Grand Vitara. Hence, we could see the 1.5-litre engine with a hybrid configuration to aid fuel economy or performance. At present, the prices range from Rs 10.90 lakh to Rs 20.45 lakh, ex-showroom. We can expect a premium over these prices with the new-gen model.
My View
Kia Seltos is one of the most successful mid-size SUVs in the country. It has been a star on the monthly sales charts for the past 4 years. Going forward, the competition in this segment will increase even further. Therefore, it makes sense to update the SUV thoroughly to ensure decent demand. However, with a hybrid engine, things will change even in terms of fuel efficiency. Let us keep an eye out for more details in this case.
Also Read: Tata Curvv vs Kia Seltos Comparison – What to Buy?
