Our Opinion - 2026 Kia Seltos Review Kia’s subcompact Seltos SUV meets the needs of crossover buyers, though it’s not the most original choice on the market. The attractive outside is matched by a simple and (for the class) roomy interior. The base 2.0-liter engine, with 146 horsepower, is fine, but you should opt for the 195-hp turbo engine that comes with higher trim levels. Both of the Seltos’ engines work well. All-wheel drive comes standard with the 2.0-liter engine and can also be added to the turbocharged engine. The base Seltos trim level, S, comes with a number of useful features, making it a good deal, similar to other Kia cars. What's New? It doesn’t appear that the Seltos will make any significant moves this season. Pros and Cons Pros Peppy performance from the turbocharged model. Modern, eye-catching interior design. Excellent value with plenty of features for the price. Cons Turbo version isn’t very fuel-efficient. Cabin noise can be intrusive. Some interior plastics feel low-quality. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Kia Selto is available with two different four-cylinder engines: a 2.0-liter engine producing 146 horsepower and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine generating 195 horsepower. The standard engine features a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while the turbo engine is equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s faster and more comfortable to drive with this extra engine. All-wheel drive is normal on all grades except the S and EX. The S and EX can choose to have it instead. The Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos are more enjoyable to drive than the Seltos, but the Seltos remains one of the most comfortable cars in its class, thanks to its smooth ride. Safety You can choose not to have high-tech features like adaptive cruise control, but Kia does include a basic set of driver-assistance technologies with the Seltos. The following are important safety features: Most automatic emergency braking systems can detect pedestrians and other road users. Standard lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist help ensure you stay within your lane. adaptive cruise control with a mode for moving partially on its own Internal and External Cargo Capacity For its size, the Seltos offers ample space inside for both people and cargo. The materials on the inside are high-end enough to look like they belong in a showcase next to the company’s great Telluride SUV. The more expensive SX model comes with standard interior lights that can be set to pulse in time with the music, a feature similar to what Kia’s smaller Soul SUV offers. During our tests, the trunk could hold eight carry-on bags and twenty bags when the back seats were folded down. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG With the 2.0-liter engine and front-wheel drive, the 2025 model achieved 28 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and an overall average of 31 mpg. It achieved 27/31/29 mpg with the engine and all-wheel drive and 24/27/25 mpg with the all-wheel-drive turbo version. The EPA has not yet announced the fuel economy of the 2026 Seltos. Driving the all-wheel-drive Seltos with its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, we recorded an average of 32 mpg on the highway while cruising at 75 mph. Infotainment and Connectivity Stretching two-thirds across the Seltos’ dashboard, the upgraded infotainment setup features a sleek glass panel that houses both the touchscreen interface and a digital gauge cluster. The standard version, by contrast, includes a smaller screen paired with traditional analog gauges. There are different versions with varying features, but all of them come equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Range, Charging, and Battery Life We tested the turbocharged 1.6-liter Seltos and found it to have sufficient speed. In our testing, the turbocharged Seltos accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds. We haven’t tried it yet, but the standard 2.0-liter version is expected to be significantly slower. Price and How to Choose The price of a 2026 Kia Seltos ranges from $27,000 to $33,000, depending on the model and optional extras. The best deal is on the Seltos EX model. The SX model has almost everything, but the EX is just as well-equipped and costs a lot less. This vehicle comes equipped with heated front seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a dual-screen entertainment setup with built-in navigation, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a power liftgate (offered on all-wheel-drive models), and synthetic leather upholstery, among other features. If you’re as enthusiastic about performance as we are, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the top two trims makes the upgrade worth every penny.
