2025 Kia Seltos review
The Kia Seltos is the South Korean brand’s compact crossover that slots between the Soul and Sportage, but brings a more traditional SUV style. Two powertrains are offered, including a high-performance turbocharged engine in the top-level SX trim. For 2026, all but the SX trim are offered with front- or all-wheel drive—all-wheel drive is standard on the SX. Higher-grade trims get dual 10.25-inch displays for the infotainment and the gauge cluster screens, with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ standard on all trim levels. The Seltos also comes with an extensive list of advanced driver-assistance features.
Explore the evolution of the Kia Seltos
Get our expert take on used Kia Seltos models, or view year-by-year changes.
First generation Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos arrived on the scene with rugged styling, raised ground clearance, and all-wheel drive featuring torque vectoring on all but the base S trim. Kia already had the Soul and Sportage, so the Seltos was designed to add some adventurousness to the lineup. At the same time, the small Kia delivered a premium cabin with a surprising amount of space for passengers and cargo, although the seats are somewhat stiff. An eight-inch touchscreen display was standard, with higher trims getting a 10.25-inch screen, and in 2024, the Seltos upgraded to the high-tech panoramic display.
The small Kia was offered initially with two engine options, including a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder for the top-level SX. While the turbo engine had more oomph, neither offered strong performance. Kia remedied this issue in 2024 with a more powerful turbo delivering 195 horsepower in the SX and new X-Line trim, substantial for a vehicle of this size.
Model highlights
Rugged styling and capability
High-tech panoramic display (added in 2024)
Powerful turbocharged engine (upgraded in 2024)
Standard Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™
Torque-vectoring all-wheel drive with center-locking differential
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2021 - present
2026 Kia Seltos
Highlights
Front-wheel drive available
New lower-priced LX FWD trim level added
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2025 Kia Seltos
2024 Kia Seltos
Highlights
Refreshed exterior styling
New panoramic display screen available
More powerful turbo engine for SX trim
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2023 Kia Seltos
2022 Kia Seltos
Highlights
New Nightfall edition
Upgraded advanced driver-assist features
Additional standard equipment
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2021 Kia Seltos
Perry Stern has been writing about cars for almost 30 years and has been an enthusiast for much longer than that. Contributing to multiple automotive publications, Perry drives almost every new car on the market, ranging from base-level Kias to exotic high-performance Lamborghinis. But his favorite is still the 2006 Mazda Miata parked in his garage.
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