2026 Kia Seltos Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview
Kia's subcompact Seltos SUV may not be the most exciting option in this crowded segment, but it nails the basics that crossover buyers are looking for. Handsome exterior styling gives way to a straightforward and generously sized (for the segment) interior. Both of the Seltos's available engines are efficient, although you may want to go for the 195-hp turbo engine offered in upper trims, as the base 146-hp 2.0-liter is merely sufficient. All-wheel drive is available with the 2.0-liter and comes standard if you pick the turbo engine. Like other Kias, the Seltos is a value proposition, coming well-equipped even in the base S trim.
What's New for 2026?
No major changes are expected for the Seltos this year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Kia Seltos is expected to start around $27,000 and go up to $33,000 depending on the trim and options.
LX
$27,000 (est)
S
$27,000 (est)
EX
$28,000 (est)
X-Line
$31,000 (est)
SX
$33,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k
The best value lies with the Seltos's EX trim. The SX model comes loaded with almost everything, but the EX is well-equipped, too, and much cheaper. It includes faux-leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a power liftgate (when paired with all-wheel drive), heated front seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a dual-screen infotainment system with in-dash navigation. The top two trims come standard with the turbocharged four-cylinder, so if you value performance as much as we do, they're worth the extra coin.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Kia offers two different four-cylinder engines in the Seltos: a 2.0-liter that makes 146 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter that pumps out 195 horsepower. While the base engine is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the turbo comes with an eight-speed automatic. This optional powertrain offers a far quicker and more refined driving experience. All-wheel drive is standard on all but the S and EX trims, where it's optional. The Seltos isn't as entertaining to drive as competitors such as the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos, but it's among the more pleasant entries in its class thanks to its smooth ride.
0–60-MPH Times
We sampled the Seltos with the turbocharged 1.6-liter and found its power to be more than adequate. At our test track, the turbocharged Seltos scampered its way to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. We haven't tested the base 2.0-liter model, but we expect it to be considerably slower.
View Photos
Kia
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Seltos yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined with the 2.0-liter and front-wheel drive, 27/31/29 mpg with that engine and all-wheel drive, and 24/27/25 mpg for the all-wheel-drive turbo model. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, an all-wheel-drive Seltos with the turbocharged 1.6-liter managed 32 mpg. For more information about the Seltos's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
For a vehicle of this size, the Seltos offers plenty of space for people and cargo. The materials used throughout the cabin are refined enough to seem at home in the showroom next to the brand's excellent Telluride SUV. Interior ambient lighting is standard on the upscale SX model and can be set to pulse along with the music like the system Kia offers in the smaller Soul SUV. In our testing, we fit eight carry-on suitcases in the cargo hold and 20 with the rear seats folded.
View Photos
Kia
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Seltos's optional infotainment setup features a seamless glass panel stretching two-thirds of the way across the dashboard housing both a digital gauge display and an infotainment touchscreen. A smaller display with an analog gauge cluster is standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come on every model, but SiriusXM satellite radio and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot are options.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Kia offers a standard suite of driver-assistance tech on the Seltos, but higher-tech features such as adaptive cruise control are optional. For more information about the Seltos's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Standard adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Kia's warranty is the best in the industry, and the company continues to offer 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain coverage on its models. The only other rivals that can match it are SUVs from sister company Hyundai.
Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2024 Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $31,315/$31,490
Options: carpeted floor mats, $175
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 98 in3, 1598 cm3
Power: 195 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 195 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/11.0-in disc
Tires: Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91
235/45R-18 94V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 103.5 in
Length: 172.6 in
Width: 70.9 in
Height: 64.0 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53/46 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 63/27 ft3
Curb Weight: 3294 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.4 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 19.0 sec
120 mph: 34.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.2 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.9 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 130 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 166 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 25 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 32 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 420 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 26/25/27 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
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