Kia New Zealand launched its all-new Seltos at Auckland’s Eden Park last week, transitioning its top-selling nameplate entirely to hybrid powertrains across a five-model lineup, Driven Car Guide reported.
Kia NZ Raises Seltos Prices for 2025 Brand Repositioning
- Market Shift: Kia NZ has eliminated ultra-low entry pricing for the Seltos, setting the base model at $39,990 to align with its deliberate 2025 upmarket brand repositioning.
- Powertrain Evolution: The outgoing 2.0-litre Atkinson Cycle engine is replaced by a 1.6-litre GDI petrol hybrid system featuring a 1.49kWh battery, boosting efficiency to 4.5–4.8L/100km.
- Todd McDonald noted that 66 brands are now chasing 50% of the market, creating an unsustainable commercial environment where Kia holds fourth place with 7% year-to-date market share.
Kia NZ Displays Seltos Models at Eden Park
Kia New Zealand parked 57 vehicles at Eden Park last week, the first vehicle launch held at the stadium. Driven Car Guide reported that the display arranged 40 cars from lowest to highest specification across the venue’s hybrid turf.
The Seltos has remained Kia NZ’s top-selling model since its September 2019 introduction at an entry price of $25,990. Following a strategic shift in 2025 to move away from cheaper base-level variants, the new generation starts at $39,990 for the Light, scaling up to $55,490 for the flagship X-Line AWD. Todd McDonald stated that 66 brands are currently chasing 50% of the market, describing the present setup as unsustainable.
Dimensions and Powertrain Engineering
The second-generation Seltos grows 45mm longer to 4430mm, gains 30mm in width, and adds 60mm to its wheelbase, yielding increased cabin space. Driven Car Guide reported that the vehicle replaces the older 2WD 2.0-litre engine with a 1.6-litre GDI hybrid system.
Peak power for standard variants sits at 112kW with 265Nm of torque, while fuel consumption drops to between 4.5 and 4.8 litres per 100km. The flagship X-Line introduces ‘eAWD’, pairing the main powertrain with an independent 50kW electric induction motor on the rear axle to raise peak power to 126kW.
| Model Variant | Price (NZD) | Wheel Size | Fuel Economy / Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | $39,990 | 16-inch | 4.5–4.8L/100km, 112kW / 265Nm |
| Earth | $44,050 | 16-inch | 4.5–4.8L/100km, 112kW / 265Nm |
| Water | $47,990 | 18-inch | 4.5–4.8L/100km, 112kW / 265Nm |
| X-Line 2WD | $51,990 | 19-inch | 4.5–4.8L/100km, 112kW / 265Nm |
| X-Line AWD | $55,490 | 19-inch | Unspecified combined torque, 126kW |
Kia Faces Competition from Japanese and Chinese SUV Rivals
Kia ranks fourth in New Zealand year-to-date with 7% overall market share, trailing Toyota at 22%, Ford at 10%, and Mitsubishi at 9%, according to data cited by Driven Car Guide. The expanded small SUV market now features heightened competition from both established Japanese competitors and incoming Chinese entrants.
Primary segment rivals include the Toyota Corolla Cross priced between $44,990 and $55,990, alongside the upcoming Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, the Honda HR-V, and the Hyundai Kona. Chinese hybrid offerings such as the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS occupy the lower sub-$40,000 price brackets vacated by Kia’s retirement of its ultra-cheap base models.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
