What’s this new car all about then?
Kia New Zealand launched its all-new Seltos for media and dealers (separately, mind, separately) in big style last week with a "takeover" of Auckland's Eden Park. There were 40 cars displayed on the playing field (sacrilege?) and a total of 57 vehicles on the grounds.
It's the first time Eden Park has been used for a vehicle launch; although it probably won't be the last as the venue looks to diversify and keep the facility working on what it calls "non-event" days. The ones when Robbie Williams or the All Blacks aren't milling around.
It makes sense that Kia is first. It's been an Icon Partner of Eden Park for a decade. Not just anybody gets to park a bunch of SUVs on its hybrid turf.
It also makes sense for Seltos because it's arguably Kia NZ's most important model, consistently its top-seller since launch in September 2019.
The new one moves up in size slightly and way up in quality and technology, with a hybrid powertrain across the entire five-model lineup.
There are 16,527 first-generation Seltos models on the road in NZ and Kia says it's a "high retention" model, the inference being there might be a mild stampede as owners of the outgoing one rush to get the new verison.
It's still got many of the first-gen Seltos distinctive design details, but the new one has also gone super-styley. Less quirk, more class.
It's 45mm longer at 4430mm (still very much a small SUV though), 30mm wider, 20mm taller and gains a lot of extra cabin space thanks to an extra 60mm in the wheelbase. That also means a more aggressive stance and less overhang, with the wheels pushed a bit further out towards the edges of the car.
The old Seltos 2WD relied on a naturally aspirated Atkinson Cycle 2.0-litre engine for fuel efficiency (7.7l/100km). The new one combines a 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine with a full hybrid system that includes a 1.49kWh battery.
Peak power for the Seltos 2WD is 112kW/265Nm, with fuel economy between 4.5-4.8l/100km, largely depending on wheel size. It's a big gain in efficiency.
The flagship model can also be specified with "eAWD', which essentially matches the mainstream powertrain to an independent 50kW electric induction motor at the rear. Peak power rises to 126kW. Kia says it's impossible to give a combined torque figure due to the on-demand nature of the eAWD operation. More than 265Nm, though, right?
Another big tech upgrade is a suite of connected car features (including eCall in response to an accident) as the Seltos goes live. That also brings over the air (OTA) updates.
Seltos is a key model for a company that started out as a challenger in NZ 20 years ago, but is now one of the big players - an especially important position to be in as the number of automotive brands in the country explodes (now 70, compared to 45 10 years ago).
"Four main brands have consistently been 50% of the market [over the last decade], although they do change over the years," says Kia NZ managing director Todd McDonald. "From an automotive industry point of view, if you look at 2026 we now have 66 brands chasing 50% of the market. It's actually unsustainable."
Kia NZ is number four in NZ year-to-date with 7% overall market share. Toyota is top (22%), followed by Ford (10%) and Mitsubishi (9%).
How much is it?
Kia rocked the SUV market back in 2019 when it launched the Seltos at an entry price of $25,990. The first-gen Seltos wasn't an especially small car, remember, but it was certainly priced like one. Lower than many, even.
Kia NZ doesn't play that game any more. It hit the bigger-time in terms of market share in 2022 and in 2025 it made a conscious decision to move away from cheaper base-level models and move everything upmarket, including Seltos. The company says that's paid off, with the majority of buyer attention on higher-end variants. The popular Sportage SUV is up 231% year-to-date with 2500 registrations, and most are top-level X-Line versions.
So there isn't a super-cheap Seltos any more. But there is still one under $40k (just): the $39,990 Light. From there prices rise to $44,050 for the Earth, $47,990 for Water, $51,990 for X-Line 2WD and $55,490 for X-Line AWD.
The Light and Earth run on 16-inch wheels (the coolest design of the lot if you ask us, despite the tiny size), the Water gets 18in rims and the X-Line 2WD and AWD boast 19in wheels.
A comprehensive suite of safety assists are pretty much standard across the range, with only minor differences. The Light lacks the Blind Spot View Monitor (which shows a camera feed from the side of the car on the dashboard when changing lanes) and reverse autonomous braking for example, while only the X-Line has the more advanced Highway Driving Assist technology package.
The cheapest Light is still generously equipped, as is the new Kia way; no strippers allowed. The Earth adds shinier exterior trim, roof rails, Surround View Monitor, Remote Parking Assist and a few other detail touches.
The Water gets a bit more lux with artifical leather upholstery complementing the cloth, power driver's seat, front-seat heating and privacy glass.
The X-Line really steps up with LED lights, full synthetic leather, head-up display, more comprehensive power/memory features for the seats, ambient interior lighting, Harman Kardon audio, wireless phone charger and height adjustable power tailgate.
What’s it like to drive?
The new Seltos only has 2kW more power than the old, and 112kW is not a big output in anybody's world. But the driving experience is light years ahead of what's come before. No more torque sinkhole at low revs, the hybrid system pulling the powertrain into action for relaxed around-town driving.
While it's common for hybrids to use continuously variable-type transmisisons, Kia usually sticks with actual gears. Seltos has a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, although there's so little noise coming through from the mechanicals, you're not always aware of it at work. It's a very refined little car.
All models have paddle shifters, which can be used to either adjust regeneration levels or as manual gear selectors. In Continuous Manual Shift Mode, the chosen gear is held until the driver changes up or down, which is quitre a rare thing these days.
Seltos also features a Smart Regeneration 3.0 system that automatically adjusts according to navigation data, topography, traffic flow and driving style.
We didn't tackle too many corners on our launch drive, but you could argue Seltos is not really about that. What stands out at this point is refinement, a cushy ride (especially from the 16in-equipped models), extremely good fuel economy and a high level of cabin quality.
And no, car football was not on offer at Eden Park, which seems like a missed opportunity.
What’s the pick of the range?
Despite Kia NZ's move upmarket, a cheaper Seltos still seems like a better Seltos - especially when all the 2WD models get the same hybrid technology and broadly equivalent safety equipment.
Change from $40k with the Light is tempting, but we'd spend the extra $4060 for the Earth because you get stuff that's handy for a city/motorway car: cameras all around, extra parking sensors/tech and that clever Blind Spot View Monitor on the instrument panel. It also looks just a bit snazzier with the shiny exterior trim.
The X-Line models have a lot more equipment and you'll know whether the techy AWD system of the top model appeals. But they feel like a whole other thing.
What other cars should I consider?
The big one, by which we mean the big seller, is the Toyota Corolla Cross ($44,990-$55,990).
But Kia NZ is also quite focused on the new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ($46,990-$48,490) as it comes on stream, given the huge success of the ASX in recent years. Other mainstream rivals include the Honda HR-V ($43,500-$47,900) and Hyundai Kona ($47,990-$59,990).
Among Chinese entrants, the big hybrid sellers are the GWM Haval Jolion ($32,990-$38,990) and MG ZS ($34,990-$38,990).