2026 Kia Seltos Sport+ review: New hybrid-only small SUV deserves kudos for its interior, but drops the ball elsewhere

South Korean giant Kia has been on something of a roll for a fair while now. From its very impressive electric vehicles to its increasingly polished SUVs, it has developed a reputation for producing cars that punch above their weight. Expectations are therefore understandably high for the second-generation Seltos small SUV.

It’s been a popular choice among Australian buyers since its introduction, offering a strong combination of practicality, equipment and value. The latest version builds on those strengths with a sharper design, much more modern interior and, importantly, hybrid power that’s now standard across the range. However, with the penultimate Seltos Sport+ Hybrid costing almost $47,000 driveaway, Kia’s newcomer has plenty to prove in an increasingly competitive segment.

How much does the Seltos cost to buy?

Positioned below the flagship GT-Line but above the entry-level S and Sport, the Sport+ occupies the upper-middle portion of the new Seltos range. Priced at $44,970 before on-road costs, or $46,990 driveaway, it’s certainly not inexpensive for a small SUV, although Kia has included a reasonable selection of equipment.

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Feature highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, cloth and artificial leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 12-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents. The dashboard has a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 5.0-inch climate control display and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation and Kia Connect services.

Safety equipment is very comprehensive, including autonomous emergency braking with a wide range of view, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, a surround-view camera and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2, meaning that it will semi-autonomously drive itself on highways.

It’s an reasonable list of kit, although features such as ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display and Karman Kardon premium audio remain reserved for the GT-Line. For $47k driveaway too, we’d expect a wireless phone charger and electric tailgate, but those are nowhere to be seen.

How practical is the Seltos?

The cabin is arguably one of the new Seltos’s strongest attributes because its dashboard design is clean and contemporary, with the wide digital display from other new Kia models featuring proudly on the dashboard. Material quality is reasonable up front, with attractive-looking finishes, though not many of them are soft to touch. Still, the quality is better than the cheap-feeling old Seltos, and it’s far more modern as well.

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I quite like the column-mounted gear selector, which frees up space from the centre console, while the driving position is comfortable and offers plenty of adjustment. The centre area with adaptive cup holders and storage is huge, while the box underneath the central armrest is a good size as well. I think life’s various trinkets will be safe in the Seltos.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen is also quick to the touch, easy to understand and features enough physical buttons so that it’s not daunting like so many screens can be. It also features kit like inbuilt sat-nav with live traffic, wireless smartphone mirroring, and Kia Connect live services including a weather menu and over-the-air updates. The six-speaker audio system is fine, though nothing more, and while there are three USB-C ports in the front cabin, the aforementioned lack of wireless charger is irritating for $47k.

Move to row two and you immediately notice the harder and cheaper plastics used on the doors. The relatively high window line is another consideration, particularly for families, as smaller children may struggle to see out comfortably. On the positive side, rear passengers benefit from a lot of rear seat features, including air vents, two USB-C charging ports, two map pockets, door pockets and a centre armrest with cupholders. 

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The Seltos has always been one of the more practical small SUVs and the new model lives up to that reputation with useful interior space that allows taller adults to fit comfortably thanks to ample legroom and headroom. Boot capacity is another Seltos plus point: 483 litres with the rear seats up and 1441L with the seats folded. The configurable mounting points are a cool touch, as is the space-saver spare wheel, which many rivals don’t feature.

How fuel efficient is the Seltos?

The Seltos is running a hybrid drivetrain for the first time – and in Australia, that’s the only option available. Overseas models still get naturally aspirated 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre, and turbocharged 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel. The hybrid drivetrain is a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit with an electric motor and a 1.49kWh lithium-ion battery. 

Combined outputs are a reasonable 112kW and 265Nm, with power delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GT-Line is also available with an all-wheel drive system, which features a Toyota-like electric motor on the rear axle instead of a mechanical link to the engine for better traction and fuel efficiency, according to Kia.

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The official combined fuel consumption for the Seltos Sport+ is 5.3L/100km, which sounds high compared to its rivals – the Hyundai Kona with a similar drivetrain is rated at just 3.9L/100km, for example – but that figure has been obtained under newer and more real world-tested ADR 81/03 compliance.

What’s the Seltos like to drive?

Unfortunately, the driving experience is where the new Seltos falls a little short of expectations. Despite its electrified drivetrain, the Sport+ doesn’t feel particularly energetic, with the petrol engine frequently having to work hard to deliver meaningful acceleration. Push the loud pedal firmly and the four-cylinder becomes noticeably vocal, particularly during overtaking or when accelerating onto a motorway. It’s not necessarily underpowered for everyday duties, but it doesn’t feel particularly effortless, either.

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The six-speed dual-clutch transmission is another slightly unusual choice for a hybrid small SUV. While it generally performs adequately once moving, there’s some hesitation when accelerating from a standstill. It detracts from the otherwise smooth nature you’d expect from an electrified vehicle and is particularly noticeable in stop-start traffic, where immediate and predictable responses are important.

The ride quality is also something of a surprise. Kia has developed a strong reputation for its Australian suspension tuning, with many of its vehicles striking an excellent balance between comfort and control. However, the Seltos Sport+ doesn’t quite achieve that same level of polish. On smooth highways, it settles into a comfortable rhythm and feels reasonably composed, but smaller bumps, broken surfaces and uneven suburban roads reveal a fidgety ride, making it feel busier than I expected.

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The steering and general handling are competent enough, although there’s little about the experience that encourages enthusiastic driving. It’s quite easy to steer, and visibility is good too. Most driver assistance systems also operate well, although the lane-keeping assistance can be overly eager. I love Kia’s muting of the active speed buzzer warning; just a simple hold of the volume button and it’s switched off. It’s a nice contrast to many Chinese vehicles that make you dive through several menus to do the same thing. 

What warranty is the Seltos covered by?

Like the rest of Kia’s Australian passenger vehicle range, the Seltos is covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is still quite lengthy some 12 years after it was introduced in Australia, although many rivals now match it. 

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The hybrid battery is also covered by a separate eight-year/160,000km warranty, while there is also 12 months of roadside assistance that’s extended a further 12 months with each dealer service,up to eight years in total.

Should I buy a Kia Seltos Sport+?

There’s plenty to like about the second-generation Kia Seltos. Its interior is attractive and well equipped, the hybrid drivetrain promises useful fuel savings and packs a reasonable punch once it gets going, plus its generous boot and rear-seat room make it a practical choice for families.

However, the drivetrain can feel strained, the dual-clutch transmission isn’t always as responsive as we’d like, and the surprisingly unsettled ride quality is a departure from the polish we’ve come to expect from Kia’s Australian-tuned vehicles. Then there’s the price, which places the Sport+ against increasingly capable hybrid SUVs that cost a lot less.

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Ultimately, the new Seltos Sport+ is a competent, practical and well-equipped small SUV. But given the high standards the brand has established with its recent products, we were expecting a little more. It’s a good car, certainly, and well worth consideration, but the competition is tougher than ever before. 

Seltos Sport+ standard features:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with a space-saver spare wheel
• Dusk-sensing automatic LED exterior lighting
• LED daytime running lights (front and rear)
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers 
• Keyless entry and start with remote start and remote parking
• Roof rails
• Rear privacy glass
• Synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters
• Cloth and artificial leather upholstery
• 12-way electric driver’s seat
• Heated front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents
• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display
• 5.0-inch climate control panel
• 12.3-inch touchscreen with live services and over-the-air updates
• Satellite navigation with live traffic
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
• Bluetooth calling and audio streaming
• Six-speaker audio system
• 5x USB-C ports
• Sport and eco driving modes
• Three-level adjustable regenerative braking
• Anti-theft alarm
• 7x airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking with car, pedestrian, cyclist, junction crossing/turning, direct/oncoming lane change and emergency evasive steering assistance
• Low-speed rear automatic braking
• Lane keeping assistance with adaptive lane guidance
• Adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving, including lane change assistance
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (with braking)
• Blind-spot camera
• Safe exit warning
• Driver attention monitoring
• Traffic sign recognition
• Auto high beam
• Front, side and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree camera
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Auto-dimming rear mirror

Seltos Sport+ specifications: