- Kia’s new Seltos is on sale in New Zealand with hybrid power across the range.
- Prices start at $39,990 plus on-road costs, while the X-Line eAWD costs $55,490 before those charges.
- Kia quotes 4.5L/100km for Light and Earth models, with local suspension and steering tuning across the range.
Kia’s new Seltos is now on sale in New Zealand, with the hybrid-only SUV range starting at $39,990 plus on-road costs. Buyers can choose from five variants, including an eAWD model that confirms the all-wheel-drive option for the local line-up.
We drove the new Seltos at its global launch in Korea in May, when NZ pricing and the final local range were still unconfirmed. Kia has now settled those questions: every local model pairs a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid powertrain with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Five hybrids, one AWD option
The entry-level HEV Light 2WD costs $39,990, followed by the HEV Earth 2WD at $44,050 and HEV Water 2WD at $47,990. The HEV X-Line 2WD is $51,990, while the HEV X-Line eAWD tops the range at $55,490. All prices exclude on-road costs.
Choosing eAWD adds $3500 to the equivalent X-Line price and increases output from the two-wheel-drive models’ 112kW to 129kW. The transmission remains the same across both drivetrains.
Kia quotes fuel consumption of 4.5L/100km for the Light and Earth two-wheel-drive variants. That figure applies specifically to those models, so buyers comparing the Water and X-Line versions will need their corresponding consumption figures. The hybrid powertrain meets Euro 6d emissions standards.
Local tuning and a new cabin
All Seltos variants have received suspension and steering tuning for New Zealand and Australian customers. The local launch also brings a redesigned cabin with two 12.3-inch screens, over-the-air software updates and a column-mounted shift-by-wire selector.
Rear passengers get seats with adjustment spanning 24 degrees. Kia has stated a five-star ANCAP safety target for the new Seltos; a confirmed rating has yet to be announced.
With the range available to purchase now, the decision for local buyers comes down to the equipment level and whether the additional traction and output of eAWD justify its $3500 premium over the two-wheel-drive X-Line.
