It’s no secret that SUVs are the vehicles of choice for most Americans, and the subcompact category is the most affordable group of these popular vehicles. At price points starting at $25,000 or less, what manufacturers choose to offer on their subcompact SUV lineups can make a big difference in a decision.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax received a major makeover from its old, outdated self for 2024. Fresh sheet metal and plenty of desirable standard equipment, including new tech and safety features, brought the Trax back to relevance.
Likewise, the 2025 Kia Seltos was updated last year and is a version of the model that’s won our Best Buy Award in its class for the previous three years running. So, it was already a strong competitor, and now it’s even better.
Let’s see how these two stack up against each other.
2025 Chevrolet Trax
The Chevy Trax has ample interior space and dynamic good looks. The interior feels open and modern, especially with the available 8-inch driver information screen and 11-inch infotainment touchscreen. Six Chevy Safety Assist driver-aid technologies come standard. There’s a single engine offered with front-wheel drive (FWD) across the lineup. We can’t offer praise for invigorating engine performance, but its combined fuel economy rating of 30 mpg is likely the bigger deciding factor for most buyers in this segment. A planted, almost sporty handling demeanor reminds us more of driving a small car than an SUV, which is a welcome bonus. There are five trims from which to choose, and the entry-level Trax starts at $21,495.
Chevrolet Trax Highlights
Low entry price: The Trax is the most affordable entry in the class, and there’s an extremely reasonable $4,000 spread in the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) between the lowest and highest trims. Even the two top grades loaded with available factory options come in under $29,000, while the two top Seltos models cost more before adding any extras.
Rear legroom: If your passengers are of typical adult height, they’ll appreciate the class-leading 38.7 inches of legroom in the back seat. The Seltos was the previous class leader with an also-impressive 38 inches.
Easy to use tech: Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a win-win for everyone in today’s smartphone-crazy world. The Seltos also includes both, though you’ll still have to keep a cord handy to plug in the phone in upper trims.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Chevrolet Trax models for sale near you
2025 Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos is one of the most spacious choices in both passenger and cargo room, and nothing in the class offers a longer warranty. There are two efficient engines and a choice between all-wheel drive (AWD) and front-wheel drive. The engine upgrade is to a boisterous 195-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, which the Trax doesn’t match. The Seltos also comes in five different grades, and pricing starts at $26,085.
Kia Seltos Highlights
AWD and engine options: If extra traction is high on your list of needs, the 2024 Seltos can be had with AWD on any trim you want. A little power boost is available with a 195-hp turbocharged engine option, 20 more than before. The Trax doesn’t offer either all-wheel drive or a peppier engine.
Best-in-class warranty: Kia has made its name by offering a generous 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. For buyers planning to keep their new cars for a long time, there’s no better peace of mind than knowing a potentially expensive repair won’t come out of pocket. The Trax has the typical 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties.
More premium features: Nice-to-have items like a power tailgate, ventilated front seats, and an 8-speaker Bose stereo with mood lighting are all available on the top-of-the-line Seltos. The Trax sticks a little closer to its subcompact roots with a more utilitarian feature list.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kia Seltos models for sale near you
Similarities
The passenger room and cargo space are comparable, and the standard engines are close in power. Both come with helpful standard driver aids, and they offer fun exterior paint colors to liven things up.
Pricing
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles and New 2025 Kia Seltos vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specificiations
| 2025 Chevrolet Trax | 2025 Kia Seltos | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.2-liter turbo 3-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm | 146 hp @ 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Economy | 28 city/32 highway/30 combined mpg | 28 city/34 highway/31 combined mpg |
| Also Available | n/a | 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 8-speed automatic; AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 4-Stars | 5-Stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 inches | 103.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 178.6 inches | 172.6 inches |
| Width | 71.8 inches | 70.9 inches |
| Height | 61.4 inches | 63.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | TBD | 34.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.6 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.1 inches | 38.4 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.9 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.7 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.7 inches | 55.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.3 inches | 54.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 25.6/54.1 cubic feet | 26.6/62.8 cubic feet |
Conclusion
If budget is the most important factor in your decision, the Chevrolet Trax is hard to fault. It has everything you really need, plus great standard features like LED headlights, wireless smartphone integration, and active noise cancellation. It looks like a miniature Blazer and is surprisingly nimble to drive.
If you have a bigger budget and want a few more luxurious options, the Seltos is a fantastic choice. The base engine is more fuel efficient, and the warranty is the best in the business, yet it remains affordable. The Seltos has brown and green upholstery choices for those who abhor a dark interior. And with its more powerful turbo engine option and AWD, it may appeal to a broader group of people.
If it were us and we had a thicker wallet and a hankering for all-wheel drive, we’d pick the extra perks and warranty offered by the Seltos. However, if our major concern was our monthly budget and could live without all-wheel drive, the Trax would be the ticket.
