This year, the least expensive option at most car dealerships is a subcompact SUV. But don’t let that fact mislead you. The subcompact SUVs of 2025 aren’t stripped-down budget models. Many are well-equipped, comfortable, capable cars that can fill most roles easily.
Two of the most well-reviewed are the Kia Seltos and the Honda HR-V. Each starts under $27,000 and delivers highway passing power, cargo space for most Craiglist pickups, and up-to-date technology like screens that mirror your phone.
Let’s take a closer look and find the right SUV for you.
2025 Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos is an undeniably great value. It is a multi-year Best Buy Award winner in the subcompact SUV class and for good reason: value. No matter, Kia saw fit to improve it for 2025 anyway, giving it an updated interior, new options, and more standard equipment. Pricing starts at $25,695.
Kia Seltos Highlights
More miles out of every gallon: Some of us shop for subcompact SUVs because we don’t want to spend more money than we have to to get around comfortably. The Seltos has our back. The EPA estimates that Seltos owners will spend about $150 a year less at the pump than HR-V owners.
That long warranty: The Kia value argument, though, centers on long-term costs. No one beats Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranties. Knowing major repairs are covered in year nine gives you peace of mind. Honda’s 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain and 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranties don’t do that.
Available turbo engine: The HR-V’s base engine is more powerful than the one in the Seltos. But it’s the only option Honda offers. Kia dealers can also sell you a Seltos X-Line or SX with a 195-horsepower turbocharged engine more powerful than anything Honda provides in this price range.
Read our Kia Seltos Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Seltos models for sale near you.
2025 Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V is technically unchanged for 2025 because Honda redesigned it entirely for 2023 and has left it alone ever since. However, nothing about it is out of date. Honda is legendary for its reliable cars with high resale value, and the HR-V is the least expensive way to get those ideal traits. The 2024 HR-V starts at $26,750.
Honda HR-V Highlights
More powerful base engine: The HR-V comes with a 158-horsepower engine. The Seltos gets 146 from its base engine. That difference doesn’t sound like much. But in a car this small, a few horsepower go a long way. If you regularly drive in mountainous areas or have a highway commute, you’ll notice.
Available wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto: In-car infotainment technology has come a long way in a short time. Most 2025 vehicles offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – systems that mirror your phone on a car’s touchscreen so you can use streaming entertainment safely while driving. Both of these cars offer it. But only Honda offers an available wireless version.
Active Noise Cancelation: Active noise canceling tech is normal in the luxury classes. It’s almost unheard of at this price point. It makes the HR-V’s cabin a quieter place, especially on the highway.
Read our Honda HR-V Expert Review or see 2025 Honda HR-V models for sale near you.
Similarities
With a difference of only about $1,000 in the base price of these two, affordability may be an irrelevant consideration. Moreover, passenger space is nearly identical (though the Seltos can carry more cargo). Both also offer all-wheel drive (AWD).
Conclusion
The Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V occupy spots in our top tier of compact SUVs; consequently, this comparison is very close.
We’d advise shoppers weighing the two to test drive both in case something subjective tells you which is right for you.
If they come out tied even after a test drive, this one might come down to how long you expect to keep your car. Honda’s great resale value might sway you if you plan to sell it within a few years. If you don’t, a warranty that covers you for a decade might send you to your local Kia dealer.
But sometimes, there’s more than one right answer.
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 Kia Seltos vehicles and New 2025 Honda HR-V 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.
| 2025 Kia Seltos | 2025 Honda HR-V | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 146 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft $ 4,500 rpm | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT automatic | CVT automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 28 city/34 highway/31 combined mpg | 26 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 8-speed automatic; AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 103.5 inches | 104.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 172.6 inches | 179.8 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 72.4 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 63.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 35.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.4 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 37.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.5 inches | 56.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.7 inches | 55.2 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 26.6/62.8 cubic feet | 24.4/55.1 cubic feet |
