2026 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos delivers the very attributes sought out by subcompact SUV buyers: affordable pricing, sufficient interior space, cutting-edge tech, advanced safety features, and solid fuel economy. Furthermore, Kia models are protected by industry-leading warranties

In fact, we argue that the Seltos is every bit the qualified competitor in the subcompact class as the Sportage and Telluride are in their respective classes. As a result, we’ve consistently named it to a top spot on our annual list of Best Compact SUVs.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact SUVs, including the Kia Seltos.

Despite Kia giving the Seltos a major refresh for 2024, it improved it even further for 2025. Consequently, we expect at least some minor updates for 2026. Two changes we are fairly sure of: Because Kia pricing information for the 2026 Kia omits the off-road-ish X-Line trim, we suspect it’s been scuttled for 2026. Additionally, the entry-level LX trim now comes with front-wheel drive (FWD), making all-wheel drive (AWD) optional.

 On-Sale Date

We look for the 2026 Seltos to reach showrooms in the early fall of 2025.

Historically, among the four trims, the S grade is the sales leader. However, if we were picking, our nod would go to the EX. Its nominal price increase over the S brings goodies such as heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, a 10.25-inch digital driver-information display (replacing a 4.2-inch unit), upgraded seating surfaces, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, and more.

The Range-topping SX trim has a turbo engine and provides all-wheel drive as standard.

There are plenty of rivals — like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and Hyundai Kona — and most of them are priced similarly to the Seltos. A few, like the Chevy Trax, Hyundai Venue, Nissan Kicks, and Toyota Corolla Cross are priced below the Seltos.

Before buying a new Seltos SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying.

Kia Seltos resale values are above the class average. Remember, recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Most base engines in subcompact SUVs tend toward the timid. For example, the 146-horsepower example in the Seltos, which results in a placid standstill-to-60 mph time of about 9.6 seconds. However, that’s only a fraction behind the Honda HR-V. Even so, we’ve found the Seltos to be among the more lively and engaging subcompact SUVs around town, while enjoying the standout ride comfort and quiet cabin on the highway.

For added verve, there’s 195 hp in the turbocharged SX version. It also comes with a sweet 8-speed automatic transmission. We like this combination a lot. The current Seltos fixes most of the gripes we had after the thousands of miles we covered in our long-term tester.

Fuel Economy

The Seltos also turns in an above-average performance in the mileage derby. The popular duo of base engine and front-wheel drive runs to 31 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That can’t be topped by the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, or the Subaru Crosstrek. As a matter of fact, 31 mpg is at the top end of combined fuel economy in the class. Opting for all-wheel drive drops that number to 29 mpg. Electing the SX trim with its turbo engine and standard all-wheel drive delivers 25 mpg in combined driving.

We get that title might be overstating it; this is a subcompact SUV, after all. However, when measuring rear-seat legroom, as well as cargo room behind the rear seat and with the rear seat folded, the Seltos shines brightly among its subcompact rivals.

A clean and classy interior design greets everyone who steps into the Seltos, enhanced by a dashboard unit that houses a 10.25-inch touchscreen (except for the base LX, which has an 8-inch screen). Although there are some plastic pieces, we have never had an issue with the quality of materials. Moreover, we’ve always liked the outward vision, plus the comfort and space.

Our enthusiasm didn’t dim when we sat in the back. Rear legroom of 38 inches is generous for the class. The rear air vents are another positive, for humans and dogs alike.

We’ve also used the Seltos to move to a new house. Or at least contribute to the general hauling effort, thanks to its impressive-for-the-class cargo space. There’s 26.6 cubic feet of it behind the rear seats, opening out to 62.8 when those seats are folded. That beats the Honda HR-V and several other rivals quite handily.

The Seltos’ recent styling revisions still get the thumbs-up from us. Many of our owner reviews mention how attractive they find the Seltos. The subcompact footprint also helps make it easy to park and maneuver.

Spacious interior
The Seltos is among the more practical subcompact SUVs, thanks to its relatively roomy interior.

Panoramic dual-display unit
Two 10.25-inch screens — one for driver information, the other for the infotainment system — give the Seltos cabin a premium look and feel. We appreciate that they come standard on the EX trim and above.

Leather-wrapped steering wheel
This is standard on all but the base LX trim. It may not seem like much, but with today’s standards, we are put off when forced to grip a plastic steering wheel.

Digital Key
Using the Kia Connect phone app, the Seltos can be locked/unlocked, or started remotely. Friends and/or family can gain access within the same app via text message. This is optional in the top SX trim.

Bose audio with mood lighting
Most SUVs offer a premium audio system upgrade, but the one in the Seltos adds mood lighting for a more fun and high-tech cabin vibe. It comes in the SX trim.

Dynamic Driving Systems
This is Kia-speak for the bundle of advanced safety features found in every Seltos model. Among them are forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, high-beam assist, and more.

The first three grades of the Seltos have a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making an adequate 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. This engine is connected to an automatic transmission (of the continuously variable variety) that directs output to either the front wheels or all four. Front-wheel drive is the default setup in the LX, S, and EX, with all-wheel drive optional.

The SX model comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine developing 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, one of the most powerful in this subcompact SUV class. We appreciate that Kia uses a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission to send engine production to a standard all-wheel-drive system.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

Along with Hyundai and Mitsubishi, Kia offers some of the best warranties out there. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first — this includes roadside assistance. Powertrains are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Seltos only scored Acceptable and Marginal in the two newest safety tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS); although, it did take top scores of Good in three older crash tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded Seltos its highest 5-Star overall score. Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, plus lane-keeping assistance.