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The Kia Seltos is one of the smaller SUVs from the Korean brand, with only the Soul being smaller. It competes in the crowded small SUV segment against rivals like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and Volkswagen Taos. If you are looking for a small yet spacious, dependable SUV that can be upgraded with turbocharged power and comes with a great warranty, the Seltos or Seltos SX might be the right fit.
Photo: Jim Resnick
Trim levels for the four-door Seltos SUV start with the LX and include the S, EX, and SX, the latter also offering a 190-horsepower turbocharged engine. Base prices range from the mid-$20,000s to the low $30,000s, including the destination charge.
For this 2026 Seltos review, Kia provided a test vehicle equipped with SX trim and the following options:
The test vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $33,835, including the $1,445 destination charge to ship the SUV from the Gwangju, Korea, assembly plant to your dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Kia manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Jim Resnick
The 2026 Seltos' exterior remains unchanged from the previous model year, but the SX trim is the only one to feature LED elements in the front lighting. This includes headlights, fog lights, and the diffuse light strip across the front of the vehicle. The SX also features 18-inch wheels and a unique grille.
Inside, Kia utilizes a substantial amount of piano black trim on the lower center of the dashboard and the front portion of the center console. However, there is an issue. The automaker employs low quality plastic for the dashboard top, door panels, and lower sections of the center console.
There are also visible depressions on the passenger-side dashboard where the airbag deploys from. These depressions resemble seams on the back side of the plastic molding, where the design allows the airbag to break through and deploy quickly. Many cars have this same design and engineering; however, it is more noticeable in the Seltos.
These are all aesthetic considerations in regards to the materials used in the cabin. On the other hand, the Seltos SX's switchgear feels much more high-quality and precise. Lights, wipers, and all the other controls and switches sit exactly where you expect them. The drive mode selector is located near the gear lever. Refined-looking digital gauges appear on the 10.3-inch instrument screen.
The Seltos imparts a feeling of spaciousness for a small crossover SUV, and the figures confirm this impression. With 99.6 cubic feet, the Seltos has more passenger space than its competitors, including the Honda HR-V (98.7 cubic feet) and the Mazda CX-30 (93.8 cubic feet).
The SX seats feature a full SynTex trim, Kia’s synthetic alternative to leather. The Seltos S combines SynTex and cloth, while the LX uses only cloth. Although SynTex looks good, it has a slightly sticky feel. It is almost too grippy and therefore, it takes more effort to slide into position behind the wheel. The front seats are both heated and ventilated, which is a nice feature in this affordable segment.
Sadly, the front seats also become tiring on long drives. Thigh support is lacking, and the limited lumbar adjustment, only available on the driver's side, cannot make up for that.
There is good news in the back, though, with plenty of rear seat comfort and space for an extra small SUV. I am 6 feet one inch tall, and with the driver's seat set for me, legroom in the back is just shy of sufficient. Two USB-C charging points and vents also enhance rear seat comfort.
Kia includes a small bin in the center console up front. It is sufficient, and water bottles fit in door pockets, but there is not much space for other personal items on a road trip. The Seltos offers 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, compared to the Honda HR-V's 24.4 cubic feet. With the seats folded, the Seltos' cargo space increases to 62.8 cubic feet.
Photo: Jim Resnick
The Seltos' infotainment system is beautifully simple and works well with both the built-in apps and smartphone mirroring via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Kia Connect provides connected services via a subscription, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. This system includes the following:
The Seltos SX's dashboard has two separate 10.3-inch displays: one for instruments and another for infotainment. However, it resembles a large glass screen, similar to those found in some luxury vehicles, such as BMW, Cadillac, and Mercedes. The dashboard design feels very premium, which is a pleasant surprise in an affordable vehicle.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard across the Seltos lineup. Pairing my iPhone was easy, both wirelessly and via cable, and it automatically reconnected each time I got back into the vehicle. The SX trim features a unique eight-speaker Bose audio system, which is not available on other trims. However, the Bose stereo sounded only decent. It lacked definition and did not have much sparkle.
Kia's infotainment system is a prime example of user friendly design. Whether running native apps or controlling your phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, navigation is easy. Small details also matter; Kia uses large fonts for easy reading and processes inputs quickly.
 Photo: Jim Resnick
Powered by a 190-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, the SX is the highest trim level of the Seltos. The turbocharged four-cylinder pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while other trims use a continuously variable automatic transmission. The SX comes exclusively with all-wheel drive (AWD), which is optionally available on LX, S, and EX trims. The SX also features 18-inch wheels, larger than those on the LX, S, or EX.
While 190 hp might not seem like much today, it is definitely effective in the Seltos SX above about 3,000 rpm, when it suddenly wakes up like an aggressively caffeinated dog. However, the overall impression of the powertrain is complicated.
The eight-speed transmission behind the turbocharged four-cylinder does not always enable the engine to perform at its best. Downshifts happen only when you deeply press the throttle, even in Sport mode.
Additionally, the eight-speed’s torque converter (an automatic’s rough equivalent to a manual’s clutch) does not slip enough to let the engine rev up into its power band from a complete stop. Sport mode does not help here, either. With some turbo lag and the transmission's tight torque converter, things work together to slow down the full acceleration you want, and delay the response when you want it.
There is also another minor annoyance. At steady speeds of 40 to about 60 mph, smoothly modulating the SX's throttle is challenging. At these typical speeds, regardless of how gently you use your right foot, the SX's throttle exhibits an on-off jerkiness that I have not seen in any other Kia I have tested.
When the Seltos SX comes to life after the hesitations above, it delivers impressive power. Choosing Sport mode keeps the transmission in at least one gear lower than in Normal or Smart, but that is an inefficient way to respond to sluggishness, as it reduces fuel efficiency.
Happily, the Seltos performs and feels better in braking than in many throttle-related aspects. Sharp emergency stops reveal nothing but effectiveness and predictability. Meanwhile, everyday driving shows very smooth pedal modulation.
The SX's steering will not rival a Porsche's, but it provides good accuracy and feedback about what happens where the tire contacts the road. Suspension tuning leans slightly toward comfort, but the SX handles twisty roads decently, up to a point. The tires Kia uses—all-season Kumho 235/45R18s—do not excel when it comes to hard cornering grip.
Keeping in mind the Seltos' mission as a small, affordable vehicle, the SX produced minimal road noise from wind, tires, bumps, and rough surfaces. There was a slight rattle in the back, especially over big bumps. I could not find or fix it, though.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) combined driving cycle, the Seltos SX achieves a fuel economy of 25 mpg. Non-turbo AWD Seltos SUVs (LX, S, and EX trims) average 29 mpg combined, while front-wheel-drive Seltos SUVs obtain 31 mpg on the same combined cycle. During my mileage test, I achieved a real-world fuel economy of 26.1 mpg in mixed driving conditions. That number is slightly better than the official rating, but only marginally. Considering the Seltos' small size, it remains relatively low.
 Photo: Jim Resnick
Kia equips all 2026 Seltos SUVs except the base LX with its suite of Drive Wise standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), a generous offering in this price-sensitive small SUV segment. These include the following:
The Seltos SX enhances the standard ADAS package with several premium features:
Junction Turning Detection—Kia’s name for intersection turn assistance—monitors intersections for potential collisions and applies the brakes if needed. Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go automatically resumes driving when the vehicle ahead starts moving again. Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, also known as traffic sign recognition, adjusts the cruising speed to match the posted speed limit.
The Seltos SX test vehicle performed remarkably with all ADAS active. No false warnings appeared throughout my test. Smart Cruise Control responded seamlessly to vehicles merging on the highway. Meanwhile, the lane centering assistance system kept the car well centered—even on secondary roads. This is an impressive performance, especially for a vehicle of this price.
Notably, the Seltos can maintain control on the highway without steering input for an extended period. Curious, I timed it. With my hands hovering over the wheel, the system issued a steering prompt after 30 seconds. On the second attempt, the alert appeared at 27 seconds; on the third attempt, it appeared at 24 seconds. While I cannot be certain that the system progressively shortens its tolerance, it did seem to do so.
At the time of writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had crash tested the 2026 Kia Seltos.
According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Buick Encore GX ranks highest in the Small SUV segment. The Kia Soul ranks second, and the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Ford Bronco Sport rank third (in a tie).
According to the JD Power 2025 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Mini Countryman ranks highest in the Small SUV segment. The Hyundai Kona and the Buick Envista are the next highest-ranked models.
Other 2026 Seltos competitors include the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and Nissan Kicks.
