TL; DR
- The timing of the hybrid engine’s arrival has not yet been finalized, as the company is working to localize the components required to manufacture the powertrain in India.
- Unless these components are sourced from India, the cost of the hybrid Seltos could skyrocket, making it a tough bargain for buyers who’d have options like the Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder hybrid.
Before Kia India announced the 2026 Seltos, there was significant buzz about the mid-sized SUV receiving a hybrid powertrain in at least a few models. However, that didn’t happen on December 10, 2025, when Kia unveiled its next-generation Seltos with a revamped exterior and interior, which led to confusion among auto enthusiasts.
It appeared the company had brought forward the launch by a few months to capitalize on the positive momentum the Indian automotive industry is currently riding on (fueled by the GST rate revision). The company could also have hastened the announcement due to the Sierra’s launch and the hype Tata Motors has generated around it.
Also Read: 2026 Kia Seltos Roundup: Major Exterior Redesign, Hybrid Powertrain & Everything Else We Expect
Kia Is Localizing the Hybrid Powertrain’s Components Before the India Launch
It sounds logical that the company couldn’t finalize bringing its hybrid powertrain to India in time for the December announcement. However, there’s good news for those hoping to get a future-proof Seltos that offers enough power and fuel economy. According to several reports, the new Kia Seltos will get a hybrid powertrain by 2027.
The timing of the hybrid engine’s arrival has not yet been finalized, as the company is working to localize the components required to manufacture the powertrain in India. These include the battery packs, control units, motors, and inverters.
Also Read: 2026 Kia Seltos Variant-Wise Features Explained (With Expected Pricing)
Imported Components Could Make The Hybrid Powertrain More Expensive
Unless these components are sourced from India, the cost of the hybrid Seltos could skyrocket, making it a tough bargain for buyers who’d have options like the Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder hybrid. Given that Kia aims to account for 25% of its Indian sales with xHEV or hybrid vehicles, the company should unveil the Seltos with a hybrid powertrain (based on the 1.5-liter NA engine) in 12 to 18 months.
Interestingly, Kia could unveil the hybrid powertrain for the Sorento SUV, which could launch sometime next year to take on rivals such as the Toyota Fortuner. Hence, the Seltos hybrid would be the second car to get the hybrid powertrain in India. As always, you’ll need to wait for more information on the hybrid powertrain and its arrival.
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