Kia Seltos Review 2026: You’ll Love the Value

from the experts at Invoice Pricing

2026

Kia

Seltos

Essential | Kia | SUV

Shoppers who run the numbers on the 2026 Kia Seltos Review often come away surprised by how much the vehicle packs in at its price point: dual 10.25-inch displays, available all-wheel drive across most of the lineup, and a turbocharged top trim, all starting at $24,990.

Two powertrains are on offer. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 147 horsepower and pairs with a continuously variable transmission, available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive on the LX, S, and EX trims. The SX trim steps up to a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, routed through an eight-speed automatic and standard AWD. The turbo adds meaningful acceleration without a dramatic efficiency penalty, making it the most compelling configuration for drivers who want both capability and daily usability.

Inside, Kia gives the Seltos a thoughtful dual-screen layout pairing a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a matching digital instrument cluster on S trims and above. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the lineup, and the SX adds a Bose premium audio system, ambient lighting, and smart power liftgate. The cabin is practical rather than flashy, with storage that works for everyday use and rear-seat space that competes well for the class.

What's New

The 2026 Kia Seltos builds on the substantial redesign introduced for the 2024 model year, carrying forward the updated styling, expanded standard technology, and revised powertrain lineup with incremental refinements for this model year. A Nightfall Edition trim has been added, offering exclusive dark exterior styling elements, gloss-black accents, and an exclusive paint option that distinguishes it from the standard lineup. Standard safety content has been extended, with additional driver assistance features now included on lower trims compared to prior years. The dual 10.25-inch display setup that debuted with the redesign remains a centerpiece of the cabin, and Kia Connect with over-the-air update capability continues to be available on upper trims. No powertrain changes have been made for 2026, with the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder and 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder both carrying over unchanged from the prior year.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The S trim and above in the 2026 Kia Seltos feature a dual 10.25-inch panoramic display setup that integrates a digital instrument cluster alongside the central infotainment touchscreen. The base LX receives an 8.0-inch touchscreen that still includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. Navigation is built in on the S trim and above, and Kia Connect enables over-the-air software updates on EX and SX models. A six-speaker audio system comes standard, with a Bose premium sound system available on the SX trim. Climate controls retain physical buttons alongside the touchscreen for frequently used functions, reducing the need to navigate menus while driving. Wireless phone charging is included on EX and SX trims, and USB-C charging ports are provided in both rows. The interface is responsive and logically organized, with a relatively shallow menu structure that keeps core functions accessible without significant learning curve.

Kia Seltos Price and Invoice Pricing

2026 Kia Seltos Starting Price

The 2026 Kia Seltos starts at $24,990 as confirmed through the invoice pricing tool, with the lineup spanning four primary trims — LX, S, EX, and SX — across FWD and AWD configurations. The LX AWD is the entry point for buyers who want all-weather capability, while the S and EX trims add progressively more technology and comfort content. The SX is the performance-focused top trim and the only configuration available with the turbocharged engine, coming exclusively with AWD. A Nightfall Edition adds dark styling elements on top of the SX content for buyers who want a more distinctive appearance.

What Changes the Final Kia Seltos Price?

Moving from LX to SX covers a range of roughly $6,500 before any packages or options are added. Adding AWD to the LX, S, or EX costs approximately $1,500 to $2,200 depending on trim. The final price can also vary based on destination charges, optional packages, local dealer markup or discount, and available incentives at the time of purchase. Kia frequently offers subsidized financing and lease rates on the Seltos, which can affect the effective cost significantly compared to the sticker price alone.

How Invoice Pricing Helps Kia Seltos Shoppers

At price points ranging from $24,990 to over $31,000 for the SX, the gap between what the dealer paid and the sticker price can represent real negotiating room. Knowing the dealer-side cost reference for the specific trim and drivetrain you are considering gives you a factual baseline for any negotiation rather than a guess. To understand how invoice pricing works in the context of a purchase like this, read What Is Invoice Price and How It Works in 2026.

Where to Check Kia Seltos Invoice Pricing

Each Seltos trim and drivetrain combination carries its own invoice figure, and those numbers shift with incentive programs and regional demand. Running your specific configuration through the tool before visiting a dealership is the most reliable way to anchor your negotiation. The Dealer Invoice Price Lookup Guide walks through the process in detail. For the full Kia lineup and additional research tools, visit the Kia page on Invoice-Pricing.com.

Engine and Performance

The base powertrain across the LX, S, and EX trims is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on these trims, with all-wheel drive available as an option across all three. Kia’s AWD system uses torque vectoring to distribute power to the rear wheels when traction conditions require it, and it operates passively in everyday driving with no driver input needed. The SX trim is the performance-oriented configuration, using a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. Kia’s Highway Driving Assist, a semi-autonomous system combining adaptive cruise control with lane centering, is standard on the SX. Both engines accept regular-grade fuel. The base engine is well-suited for urban and suburban use, while the SX turbo adds genuine highway passing confidence without dramatically changing the vehicle’s character.

Fuel Economy and Range

Fuel economy for the 2026 Kia Seltos varies meaningfully across the lineup. The base LX FWD delivers EPA-estimated figures of 29 mpg city and 35 mpg highway for a combined 31 mpg, which is above average for the subcompact SUV segment. Adding all-wheel drive to the LX, S, or EX reduces that to 27 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for a 29 mpg combined rating. The S FWD configuration is the most efficient in the lineup and closely matches the LX FWD numbers. The SX AWD with the turbocharged engine is rated at 25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. All figures are EPA estimates on regular-grade fuel. Buyers prioritizing fuel economy will find the front-wheel-drive LX or S configurations the most practical choice, while the SX AWD delivers meaningful performance at a modest efficiency cost compared to the base engine.

Safety Features

The 2026 Kia Seltos received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in both the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover evaluation. IIHS results are mixed: the Seltos scored Good in the small overlap front test, Acceptable in the updated moderate overlap front test, and Marginal in the updated side crash test. Headlight ratings vary by trim, with the SX LED projectors earning an Acceptable rating while other trims received a Poor rating. Standard safety equipment across all trims includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, and Rear Occupant Alert. The S and EX trims add Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, and Safe Exit Warning. The SX adds Highway Driving Assist as standard. Kia’s suite of standard driver assistance features is broad for the price point and covers the most common collision scenarios without requiring an upper trim upgrade.

Cargo Space and Practicality

The 2026 Kia Seltos seats five with a practical, upright SUV seating position that provides good visibility in all directions. Rear-seat legroom is adequate for adults on shorter trips, though taller passengers may find the headroom limited by the sloped rear roofline. Cargo space behind the rear seat measures 26.6 cubic feet, which is competitive for the subcompact SUV class and significantly more usable than a comparable sedan. Folding the rear seat flat opens up a total of 62.8 cubic feet of cargo volume, making the Seltos capable of handling furniture, sports equipment, and weekend travel loads that would challenge smaller hatchbacks. The cargo floor is low and the opening is wide, making loading straightforward. Rear A/C vents are included on LX and above, keeping rear passengers comfortable on longer trips. A smart power liftgate is standard on the SX trim and makes hands-free cargo access practical when your hands are full.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Available AWD Across Most Trims. All-wheel drive is an option on the LX, S, and EX and standard on the SX, making it accessible at multiple price points. Few subcompact SUVs offer AWD this broadly, and Kia’s torque-vectoring system adds real confidence in wet and mixed conditions.
Dual 10.25-Inch Display Setup. From the S trim up, the Seltos matches or exceeds what competitors charge a significant premium for. The combination of a digital cluster and a full-size touchscreen gives the interior a modern feel that holds up well against more expensive alternatives.
Turbocharged SX Option. The 1.6-liter turbo in the SX AWD delivers 190 horsepower and genuinely improves the driving experience without requiring a move to a larger or more expensive vehicle. It is a meaningful step up from the base engine rather than a marginal one.
Strong Standard Safety Content. Forward Collision-Avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Following Assist, and Rear Occupant Alert are included on every Seltos, not reserved for upper trims. The standard safety package is comprehensive for the price class.
Competitive Cargo Space. At 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear folded, the Seltos delivers a genuinely useful cargo floor that serves everyday utility and weekend trips without compromise.

Cons

Mixed IIHS Side Crash Results. The Seltos received a Marginal rating in the updated IIHS side crash test, and all but the SX trim received a Poor headlight rating. For buyers who weight IIHS scores heavily in their decision, these results warrant attention alongside the strong NHTSA five-star overall rating.
CVT on Base Trims Lacks Engagement. The continuously variable transmission in the LX, S, and EX configurations is smooth in everyday driving but uninspiring when pushed. Buyers who enjoy a more responsive powertrain will find the SX turbo and eight-speed automatic a substantially better experience.
Turbo Engine Only on SX AWD. The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is not available as a standalone option on lower trims — it comes only with the SX package and standard AWD. Buyers who want the turbo but fewer features have no mid-tier option.
Rear Seat Headroom Is Tight. The Seltos’s sloped rear roofline compromises headroom for taller rear passengers, particularly on longer trips. Buyers regularly carrying tall adults in the back seat should evaluate this in person before committing.
LX Gets a Smaller 8-Inch Screen. The base LX trims retain the smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen rather than the 10.25-inch display available from the S trim up. The capability gap is modest given wireless CarPlay is still standard, but buyers expecting the larger screen at the entry price will need to step up.

The 2026 Kia Seltos delivers a compelling mix of practicality, technology, and all-weather capability at a price point where most competitors ask you to compromise on at least one of those things. Before you head to a dealership, take a moment to check the invoice price on the specific Seltos trim and drivetrain you are considering.

Is the 2026 Kia Seltos SX AWD worth the upgrade over the EX AWD?

The SX AWD is the most complete version of the Seltos and the only way to get the turbocharged engine, but whether the premium is justified depends on how you use the vehicle. For drivers who want the performance upgrade and regularly drive in mixed weather, the turbo and standard AWD combination makes a strong case. For everyday commuting and occasional road trips, the EX AWD offers a strong balance of features and efficiency at a lower price. Before committing to either trim, running both configurations through the invoice pricing tool gives you the negotiating baseline to determine how much of the price difference is dealer margin versus genuine product cost.

Written by Invoice Pricing