Kia Seltos in Europe: from €28,030 with AWD, a 536-liter boot and hybrids on the way

Kia has brought the Seltos to Europe not as just another compact SUV, but as a more practical alternative to the Niro. The newcomer has something the Niro won't: all-wheel drive, a more powerful petrol engine and a 536-liter boot.

In Spain the Seltos starts at €28,030. For now there is a single engine: a 1.6 Turbo petrol with 180 hp and 265 Nm. The gearbox is a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch automatic, with front- or all-wheel drive. For Europe that is an important mix: many C-SUV crossovers have long drifted toward hybrids and front-wheel drive, while the Seltos keeps more “conventional” hardware for buyers who don't want to rely on the electric side alone.

Hybrids will widen the range after summer. HEV versions are expected with 154 hp and front-wheel drive, and up to 178 hp with electric e-AWD. That system will be new for Kia: the rear axle is driven not by a classic propshaft, but by an electric motor.

Against the Niro the difference is clear without any marketing spin. The Niro is thriftier and closer to a city hybrid, but it stays front-wheel drive. The Seltos feels bigger and is more powerful, with 536 liters of boot space against roughly 450 liters in the Niro HEV, and it suits those who drive not only around town but also out to the countryside, into the mountains or on long family trips.

In Spain its rivals will be the Nissan Qashqai, Toyota C-HR, Renault Symbioz and Suzuki S-Cross. The Qashqai works out pricier in its popular hybrid versions, the C-HR leans on hybrid tech and design, the Symbioz is cheaper and thriftier — but the Seltos wins on the mix of turbo engine, 4x4 and Kia's 7-year warranty.

The Seltos is interesting not because it “made it to Europe”, but because Kia has kept a proper SUV role for it: a strong engine, a real boot and all-wheel drive, while many rivals are turning into urban hybrid hatchbacks on tall wheels.