Seltos Hybrid vs. Sportage Hybrid: Which Kia Hybrid SUV Is Right for You? | Oakes Kia
Posted at Mon, Nov 9, 2026 10:30 PM
Small Hybrid SUV or a Bigger One? Kia Is Building Both
Kia's hybrid SUV lineup is about to get a new member. The Sportage Hybrid is on sale now, and the Seltos Hybrid, the first hybrid in the Seltos lineup, is expected later this year. If you are weighing a small hybrid SUV against a larger one, here is what we know so far, what we do not know yet, and how to decide.
Quick Answer: Seltos Hybrid or Sportage Hybrid?
The Sportage Hybrid is the bigger, more powerful hybrid and it is on sale now, rated up to 41 mpg combined. The Seltos Hybrid is the smaller option and is expected in late Q4 2026, with pricing and EPA numbers still to come. Choose the Sportage Hybrid if you need more room or want a hybrid today. Choose the Seltos Hybrid if you want a smaller footprint and can wait for the details. If you cannot wait, the gas Seltos is on sale now.
Where Things Stand Right Now
Sportage Hybrid: on sale now
The 2027 Sportage Hybrid is available with 232 combined horsepower and up to 41 mpg combined.
Seltos Hybrid: later in 2026
Kia says it goes on sale later this year, and it is expected in late Q4 2026. No exact date yet.
Still unannounced
Kia has not published Seltos Hybrid horsepower, EPA fuel economy or pricing. Official numbers are expected closer to the on-sale date.
Gas Seltos: on sale now
The redesigned 2027 Seltos with a gas engine is available today if you do not want to wait.
Seltos Hybrid vs. Sportage Hybrid at a Glance
Here is how the two hybrids compare, with the gas Seltos alongside as a reference point.
| Seltos Hybrid | Sportage Hybrid | Gas Seltos (2.0L) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Expected late Q4 2026 | On sale now | On sale now |
| Size | Small SUV | Larger SUV | Small SUV |
| Powertrain | 1.6L hybrid, 6-speed dual-clutch | 1.6L turbo hybrid | 2.0L four-cylinder, CVT |
| Horsepower | Not yet announced | 232 combined | 147 |
| Fuel economy (FWD) | Not yet announced | 40 city / 42 hwy / 41 combined | 28 city / 33 hwy / 30 combined |
| All-wheel drive | Available e-AWD | Available (S and EX), standard on X-Line and SX-Prestige | Available |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 27.8 cu ft (Seltos lineup) | 39.5 cu ft | 27.8 cu ft |
| Cargo seats folded | 64.2 cu ft (Seltos lineup) | 73.7 cu ft | 64.2 cu ft |
| Starting MSRP | Not yet announced | $30,590 | $24,990 |
Sources: Kia and published reports as of November 9, 2026. MSRPs exclude destination ($1,495). Seltos Hybrid cargo figures are for the Seltos lineup, since Kia has not listed hybrid-specific numbers. Specifications may change before launch.
The Seltos Hybrid: What We Know
The Seltos Hybrid is the first hybrid in the Seltos lineup. Kia has released the basics and is holding the rest until launch.
Hybrid powertrain
A 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, which Kia says improves both performance and efficiency.
Front-wheel drive, available e-AWD
Front-wheel drive is standard, and an available e-AWD system adds on-demand all-wheel drive. Kia calls it its first electric all-wheel-drive system on a hybrid SUV.
Redesigned 2027 Seltos
Telluride-inspired styling, flush door handles, two standard 12.3-inch displays and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all trims.
Space for a small SUV
The Seltos lineup has 27.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.
Not yet published: horsepower, EPA fuel economy, pricing, trims and the exact on-sale date. We will have more once Kia shares them.
The Sportage Hybrid: Available Now
If you want a Kia hybrid SUV today, the 2027 Sportage Hybrid is here. It pairs a 1.6-liter turbo four with two electric motors for 232 combined horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, and it offers more cargo space than any Seltos. Its powertrain and hybrid battery are covered by a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
| 2027 Sportage Hybrid trim | Drive | Starting MSRP | EPA mpg (city / hwy / combined) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX | FWD | $30,590 | 40 / 42 / 41 |
| S | FWD | $31,290 | 40 / 42 / 41 |
| S | AWD | $32,890 | 35 / 36 / 35 |
| EX | FWD | $32,290 | 40 / 42 / 41 |
| EX | AWD | $33,890 | 35 / 36 / 35 |
| X-Line | AWD | $35,790 | Confirm on window sticker |
| SX-Prestige | AWD | $40,690 | Confirm on window sticker |
MSRPs exclude the $1,495 destination charge, options, taxes and fees. For 2027 the S and EX are available with front-wheel drive, and a new Technology Package is available on the X-Line. Published sources did not list a clear mpg rating for the X-Line and SX-Prestige, so confirm it on the window sticker.
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose the Sportage Hybrid if
You need more cargo room, want a hybrid now and like having over 70 cubic feet with the seats down.
Choose the Seltos Hybrid if
You want a smaller, easier-to-park SUV and are willing to wait for official pricing and mpg.
Choose the gas Seltos if
You want to buy now, keep the price lower and do not need a hybrid.
Think about how you drive
Hybrids tend to shine in stop-and-go driving. In very cold weather, efficiency drops for any hybrid, so expect lower numbers on the coldest Kansas City days.
Tell Us You Are Interested in the Seltos Hybrid
Let Oakes Kia know you want to hear when it arrives, or see the gas Seltos in stock today.
Put Your Name on the Waitlist for Seltos Hybrid View Gas Seltos InventoryWhat to Watch For as Kia Releases Details
- EPA fuel economy: how close the Seltos Hybrid gets to the Sportage Hybrid's 41 mpg
- Pricing: the premium over the gas Seltos, which starts at $24,990
- Trims and AWD: which trims offer e-AWD
- Arrival date: when dealers receive their first units
Seltos Hybrid and Sportage Hybrid Questions, Answered
When is the Kia Seltos Hybrid coming out?
Kia says the 2027 Seltos Hybrid will go on sale later in 2026, and it is expected to arrive in late Q4 2026. Kia has not announced an exact on-sale date. The gas-powered 2027 Seltos is already on sale.
How much will the Seltos Hybrid cost?
Kia has not announced Seltos Hybrid pricing yet. For reference, the gas 2027 Seltos starts at $24,990 MSRP for the LX, plus destination. Check back as Kia releases pricing closer to launch.
How many miles per gallon will the Seltos Hybrid get?
Kia has not published EPA fuel economy for the Seltos Hybrid yet and says official numbers will come closer to the on-sale date. For comparison, the 2027 Sportage Hybrid is rated at 41 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, and the gas 2027 Seltos is rated at 30 mpg combined with front-wheel drive.
What is the difference between the Seltos Hybrid and the Sportage Hybrid?
The Sportage Hybrid is the larger SUV and is on sale now, with 232 combined horsepower, up to 41 mpg combined, and 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The Seltos Hybrid is the smaller, more compact choice and is coming later in 2026. Kia has not yet published its horsepower, fuel economy or price.
Does the Seltos Hybrid come with all-wheel drive?
Front-wheel drive is standard, and Kia says an available e-AWD system adds on-demand all-wheel drive. Kia calls it its first electric all-wheel-drive system on a hybrid SUV. Hybrid trim details have not been released yet.
Is the Seltos Hybrid a plug-in hybrid?
No. Kia calls it the Seltos HEV, a conventional hybrid pairing a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission and an electric motor. You do not plug it in.
Which has more cargo space, the Seltos or the Sportage Hybrid?
The Sportage Hybrid has more: 39.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.7 cubic feet with them folded. The 2027 Seltos lineup has 27.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. Kia has not listed separate cargo numbers for the Seltos Hybrid.
How much does the 2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid cost?
The 2027 Sportage Hybrid starts at $30,590 MSRP for the LX with front-wheel drive and goes up to $40,690 for the SX-Prestige with all-wheel drive, before a $1,495 destination charge. The S and EX trims are available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
How much fuel does the Sportage Hybrid save?
The 2027 Sportage Hybrid is rated at 40 mpg city, 42 highway and 41 combined with front-wheel drive, and 35 city, 36 highway and 35 combined with all-wheel drive. Real-world results depend on how and where you drive.
Should I wait for the Seltos Hybrid or buy a gas Seltos now?
Wait if you want a small SUV with hybrid fuel economy and can hold off until Kia releases pricing and EPA numbers. Buy now if you need a vehicle soon, since the gas Seltos is on sale today. If you need more room or want a hybrid right now, the Sportage Hybrid is available.
How do I get on the list for the Seltos Hybrid at Oakes Kia?
Use the contact form to tell Oakes Kia you are interested in the Seltos Hybrid, and the team will follow up as Kia releases details. Oakes Kia is at 2900 Burlington Street in North Kansas City.
Does Oakes Kia have the Sportage Hybrid or the gas Seltos in stock?
Oakes Kia lists current Seltos inventory online, and availability changes daily. Contact the team to ask about the Sportage Hybrid or a specific trim.
Shop Kia Hybrids and SUVs at Oakes Kia in North Kansas City
Oakes Kia is at 2900 Burlington Street in North Kansas City and helps drivers from the Northland and across Kansas City, including Gladstone, Liberty, Parkville and Riverside, find the right SUV. Oakes Auto Group is built on transparency, value and relationships, so you will get straight answers, including when we do not have an answer yet because Kia has not released it.
Please note: Specifications, pricing and timing reflect Kia announcements and published reports as of November 9, 2026 and may change. The Seltos Hybrid has not been released, and details are subject to change before launch. Inventory changes daily. Contact Oakes Kia to confirm details for a specific vehicle.