Could the 2023 Kia Seltos become Australia's favourite small SUV? Updated model takes the fight to Mazda CX-30, Mitsubishi ASX, MG ZS and Hyundai Kona

The Kia Seltos is a popular pick among Australian buyers, but supply issues in the last year have seriously hampered its sales potential.

Kia could have sold a lot more examples of the Seltos if it had been able to get its hands on more stock, particularly of higher grade variants. 

To the end of June this year, Kia has sold 4654 Seltos’ in Australia, which is 14.2 per cent down on the same period last year.

Among its small SUV rivals, it is trailing the top-selling MG ZS (10,380), Mazda CX-30 (8294), Hyundai Kona (6641) and Mitsubishi ASX (5839).

But could a significant mid-life refresh, and improving supply, finally give the Seltos the push it needs to edge its competitors?

While Kia released some details of the updated small SUV a few weeks back, fresh info has been announced at the model’s official unveiling at the 2022 Busan motor show in South Korea. 

Kia Motors Australia has confirmed that the new Seltos will hit local showrooms in the fourth quarter of the year, but more specific timing will have to wait.

There are rumours that the updated Seltos will adopt a hybrid powertrain - possibly borrowed from the new Niro SUV - but Kia Motors isn't releasing technical information about the updated model until later this month.

If it gets a hybrid, it would give the Seltos even more firepower against other petrol-electric models in the segment, including the upcoming new-gen Nissan Qashqai, Toyota C-HR and freshly launched Honda HR-V, as well as the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross plug-in hybrid.

The outgoing Seltos comes with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine matched with a continuously variable transmission, as well as a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The updated Seltos gains a sharper new look, with a restyled front end that includes new LED headlights and daytime running lights similar to those on its larger Sportage sibling. 

The split in the grille also sits higher and includes a light bar, at least on the top-spec international market model in the press images. It also features a new front bumper design.

At the rear, there’s a new tail-light signature incorporating a light bar running the width of the tailgate. The new rear lighting design is not dissimilar to the GWM Haval Jolion. 

Inside the Seltos gets a cabin tech upgrade, with higher grade models adopting the integrated dual multimedia and instrument screens found in the Sportage, Carnival and Sorento.

It also swaps out the regular automatic gear shifter for a shift-by-wire dial in the console, and gains some other interior visual tweaks. 

Pricing and full specification will be released closer to the model’s local launch but given the upgrades and the increasing cost of materials that many manufacturers are passing on, expect a possible price increase.

Currently the Seltos starts from $27,290 before on-road costs for the entry grade front-wheel drive 2.0-litre S auto and tops out at $42,700 for the GT-Line 1.6-litre turbocharged all-wheel drive.