2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid Review: Practicality leads the way in this Brisbane first drive
Posted in Vehicle Reviews
By Rhys Duggin
2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid Review: Practicality leads the way in this Brisbane first drive
With rising fuel prices and household budgets feeling the pinch, more Australians are turning to hybrids to save money at the bowser without going fully electric. But is the new Kia Seltos Hybrid worth considering?
At first glance, Kia's latest small SUV looks like a baby EV5 crossed with a Sorento, thanks to its bold, boxy new design. But there's more to this update than just good looks.
I took the new Kia Seltos Hybrid Sport around Brisbane to find out whether its hybrid drivetrain, added practicality and fresh design make it a better everyday SUV.
The short answer? Yes. And here's why...
A Boxier Seltos That Makes Sense
Kia's latest design language is a major change from the outgoing Seltos. The silhouette is squarer, the nose is more upright and the lighting gives it a much closer family resemblance to Kia's newer electric models.
For me, it works. The new Seltos looks fantastic without losing sight of what a small SUV needs to do. That boxier profile is not simply styling for styling's sake, it helps create a cabin and boot that feel genuinely useful.
The squared-off steering wheel continues the theme inside. It felt great in my hands, was comfortable to use and suited the rest of the design rather than feeling like a novelty.
A Smarter, More Comfortable Cabin
Step inside the new Seltos Hybrid and it's clear Kia has put plenty of thought into the interior. The cabin feels modern, spacious and well laid out, with a clean dashboard design, integrated digital displays and a more premium feel than you might expect from a small SUV. The squared-off exterior design also carries through inside, giving the cabin a practical yet contemporary look.
The front seats were one of the biggest surprises. They're genuinely some of the comfiest car seats I've sat in, and that matters far more in daily use than another line on a specification sheet. Around Brisbane, where a short trip can easily turn into a much longer one once traffic builds, good seat support quickly earns its keep.
Kia has also nailed some of the smaller details. My favourite was the pop-out cupholder arrangement in the centre console. The holders fold away to create more storage space for larger items, making the console surprisingly versatile. They're also strangely satisfying to operate and double as a fidget toy when the car is parked.
The driving experience is just as straightforward, with only two drive modes: Eco and Sport. No complicated menus or endless settings to worry about. Eco is ideal for everyday commuting, while Sport offers a sharper response when you want it.
Good Rear Room and a Genuinely Useful Boot
Rear passenger space is good for a vehicle of this size. The longer, squarer cabin gives the second row a less compromised feel than the small-SUV label might suggest, making the Seltos a realistic option for young families or anyone who regularly carries adults in the back.
Boot space is another strength. Kia quotes 483 litres with the rear seats in use and up to 1,441 litres with them folded. The shape is the important part: the upright body makes the area easier to use for groceries, luggage or a pram instead of leaving you with a big number but an awkward space.
The car I drove had a manual tailgate. That is not a deal-breaker, although buyers who want powered opening will need to look at the GT-Line, where Kia lists a smart power tailgate as standard.
What is the Seltos Hybrid Like to Drive In Brisbane?
The suspension tune is one of the new Seltos Hybrid's best qualities. It felt very well balanced for Brisbane roads, taking the sharp edges off patched surfaces and everyday bumps without making the car feel loose. Kia confirms the Australian model received a "extensive local ride and handling program to provide excellent driving dynamics to suit our unique road conditions" and it shows.
The steering also suits the car. Its light feel, comfortable ‘square’ wheel and impressively tight turning radius make the Seltos easy to guide through suburban streets and manoeuvre around shopping-centre car parks. Rear visibility is another highlight, with the new squared-off design providing a clear view out the back.
It's a welcome change from the sloping rooflines and smaller rear windows found on some modern SUVs, making reversing, parking and keeping an eye on surrounding traffic that little bit easier. Nothing about driving the Seltos demands extra thought, which is exactly what most people will want from a daily small SUV.
The Seltos Hybrid Sport combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, producing 112kW and 265Nm, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It also features Kia's Smart Regenerative Braking, which recovers energy when slowing down to help improve efficiency, particularly in Brisbane's stop-start traffic.
On the road, the hybrid system feels comfortable and well suited to everyday driving. While you notice the drivetrain working at lower speeds, there's plenty of performance for daily commuting. I occasionally wanted a little more power under harder acceleration, but switching to Sport mode made a noticeable difference.
For those wanting extra traction and power, the GT-Line is also available with electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD), adding a rear electric motor and increasing combined output to approximately 126kW.
Useful Safety Technology Without the Parking Stress
The in-cabin camera monitor was another feature I appreciated. With road-safety enforcement becoming stricter, technology that encourages the driver to stay attentive feels relevant rather than decorative. As with any assistance system, it supports the driver rather than replacing their responsibility behind the wheel.
The 360-degree camera worked flawlessly in the car I drove. A Seltos is not a large SUV, but the overhead view still makes tight car parks, narrow driveways and kerbs easier to judge. It is a genuinely useful addition at this size, and one I would like to see made more widely available across compact vehicles.
Kia offers the surround-view system on the S with Safety Pack and every grade above it. That makes the Safety Pack worth considering for urban buyers, because it also brings blind-spot camera views, side parking sensors and reverse parking collision-avoidance assistance.
A Sensible Middle Ground Between Petrol and Electric
The Seltos Hybrid makes the most sense for someone who is interested in electrification but not ready to commit fully to an EV. There is no need to organise home charging or change the way you plan a longer trip, yet the hybrid system can reduce the amount of petrol used in everyday driving.
That will appeal to buyers feeling the pressure of rising fuel costs but still wanting the familiarity of filling up at a service station. I did not complete a controlled fuel-economy test, so a longer drive would be needed before judging how efficient it is in real Brisbane conditions.
2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid Verdict
The new Kia Seltos Hybrid gets the things that matter in everyday driving right. The ride is well suited to Brisbane roads, the seats are exceptionally comfortable, there’s genuinely useful space in the back and boot, and features like the 360-degree camera make it an easy SUV to live with.
It’s not the quickest or most energetic hybrid in the class, so buyers looking for strong acceleration may want to look elsewhere. But outright performance isn’t really what the Seltos Hybrid is about.
Instead, it feels like a well-considered small SUV that puts comfort, practicality and everyday efficiency ahead of outright pace. If you want to reduce fuel use without making the jump to a fully electric car, the Seltos Hybrid deserves a spot near the top of your test-drive list. Check out Queensland’s #1 Trusted Kia Dealer's stock for your new Seltos Hybrid.
