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Kia Seltos
MotorTrend says entry-level versions of the 2026 Kia Seltos carry over with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four developing 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and that the most rugged-looking 2026 Seltos is the X-Line trim, which returns with black 18-inch wheels, black exterior trim accents, black roof rails, and gunmetal gray front and rear skidplates. Car and Driver says Kia offers two different four-cylinder engines in the Seltos, the 146-hp 2.0-liter and a turbocharged 1.6-liter making 190 hp, with the EPA rating the base engine and all-wheel-drive version at 27 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, and notes the Kia Seltos Hybrid is new for the 2027 model year, touting an efficient hybrid powertrain and a design similar to the larger Kia Telluride. J.D. Power says Kia equips all 2026 Seltos SUVs except the base LX with its suite of Drive Wise standard advanced driver assistance systems, a generous offering in this price-sensitive small SUV segment, and that at the time of writing, neither NHTSA nor IIHS had crash tested the 2026 Kia Seltos.
Engine options and the X-Line trim
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says entry-level versions of the 2026 Kia Seltos carry over with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four developing 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and that the most rugged-looking 2026 Seltos is the X-Line trim, which returns with black 18-inch wheels, black exterior trim accents, black roof rails, and gunmetal gray front and rear skidplates.
Fuel economy and an upcoming hybrid
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says Kia offers two different four-cylinder engines in the Seltos, the 146-hp 2.0-liter and a turbocharged 1.6-liter making 190 hp, with the EPA rating the base engine and all-wheel-drive version at 27 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, and notes the Kia Seltos Hybrid is new for the 2027 model year, touting an efficient hybrid powertrain and a design similar to the larger Kia Telluride.
Standard driver assistance, no crash test yet
J.D. Power (opens in a new tab) says Kia equips all 2026 Seltos SUVs except the base LX with its suite of Drive Wise standard advanced driver assistance systems, a generous offering in this price-sensitive small SUV segment, and that at the time of writing, neither NHTSA nor IIHS had crash tested the 2026 Kia Seltos.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the turbocharged Kia Seltos have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says 190 hp from the 1.6-liter turbo engine.
Is there a hybrid Kia Seltos?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says yes, new for the 2027 model year.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2027 Kia Seltos is built around 2.0L four-cylinder, 1.6L turbo four-cylinder, or 1.6L hybrid (1.6L GDI plus 32-kW electric motor), rated at 141 / 147 / 190 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2027 U.S. lineup has 5 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2027 Seltos seats 5 and is a Subcompact SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2027 Seltos.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2027 Kia Seltos
MY2027 is an all-new, fully redesigned Seltos generation (1.8 in. longer, 1.1 in. wider, 2.4 in. longer wheelbase), styled to echo the redesigned 2027 Telluride. Base engine is now 147 hp (2.0L); the turbo 1.6L drops slightly to 190 hp with a new 8-speed automatic (replacing the prior dual-clutch); a first-time Seltos Hybrid pairs a 1.6L GDI engine with a 32-kW electric motor for 141 hp/195 lb-ft via a 6-speed DCT.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
4 indexed Kia Seltos model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Kia Seltos | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Kia Seltos | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Kia Seltos | 2025 record → | |
| 2021 Kia Seltos | 2021 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Kia Seltos.
The Kia Seltos is a crossover SUV manufactured by Kia since 2019. It is positioned between the smaller Stonic, Soul, or Sonet and the larger Sportage in Kia's global SUV lineup. The first-generation Seltos is designated as a global product with three variations introduced for different markets.
- Safety
- The SP2 Seltos received a five-star rating from Australasian New Car Assessment Program, and a four-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Awards
- News & World Report ranked the Kia Seltos at No. 4 on its list of Best Subcompact SUVs for 2022, giving it a score of 8.2 out of 10.
Source: Kia Seltos (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Kia Seltos at a glance
- Production
- 2019−present
- Model years
- 2021−present (North America)
- Class
- Subcompact crossover SUV (B) (2019–present), Compact crossover SUV (C) (2026–present)
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Also called
- Kia KX3 (China, 2019–2023)
Kia Seltos generations
The Kia Seltos has been redesigned in 2025, gaps of 6 years, an average of 6.0 years between generations. The current generation (second generation, SP3) began in 2025.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | SP2 | 2019–2025 | The Seltos started as two concept cars, the SP Concept, which was showcased at the New Delhi 2018 Auto Expo in February 2018, and the SP Signature showcased at the 2019 Seoul Motor Show in March 2019. |
| Second generation | SP3 | 2025–present | The second-generation Seltos was unveiled simultaneously in Korea, India, Europe, and America on 10 December 2025, marking a significant redesign seven years after the original model. |
NHTSA rated the 2025 Kia Seltos overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Kia Seltos, most often about unknown or other (3), forward collision avoidance (3), exterior lighting (3).
Year by year
The Kia Seltos across 7 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Kia Seltos | 26–30 | $2,150–$2,500 | 3 | |||
| 2026 Kia Seltos | 25–29 | $2,150–$2,500 | 2 | 5 stars | ||
| 2025 Kia Seltos | 25–31 | $2,000–$2,500 | 3 | 12 | 5 stars | |
| 2024 Kia Seltos | 26–31 | $2,000–$2,400 | 3 | 2 | 42 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Kia Seltos | 27–31 | $2,000–$2,300 | 3 | 2 | 45 | 4 stars |
| 2022 Kia Seltos | 27–31 | $2,000–$2,300 | 3 | 1 | 72 | 4 stars |
| 2021 Kia Seltos | 27–31 | $2,000–$2,300 | 3 | 2 | 363 | 4 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Kia Seltos, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 2027 | 2 to 3 | 27.0 to 28.0 | Labels: Seltos FWD; Transmissions: Automatic (AV-S1); Drives: Front-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Transmissions: Automatic (AV-S8) |
| 2025 to 2026 | 3 to 2 | 28.0 to 27.0 | Labels: Seltos FWD; Drives: Front-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | |
| 2024 to 2025 | 28.5 to 28.0 | |||
| 2023 to 2024 | 29.0 to 28.5 | Transmissions: Automatic (S8) | Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S7) |
Buying used
What the Kia Seltos recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | power train (automatic transmission); air bags | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2023 | 2 | power train (automatic transmission); engine and engine cooling | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2022 | 1 | engine and engine cooling | None |
| 2021 | 2 | engine; engine and engine cooling | None |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2023, campaign 23V-531 (Jul 2023): power train (automatic transmission). An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
- 2024, campaign 23V-531 (Jul 2023): power train (automatic transmission). An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 286 | 53% | 2021 (224) |
| unknown or other | 91 | 17% | 2021 (46) |
| electrical system | 89 | 16% | 2021 (47) |
| power train | 88 | 16% | 2021 (68) |
| engine and engine cooling | 52 | 10% | 2021 (43) |
| fuel/propulsion system | 29 | 5% | 2021 (26) |
Trim by trim
Every 2027 Kia Seltos trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 3,318 | – | 28 | $26,485 |
| S | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 3,373 | – | 28 | $27,885 |
| EX | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 3,373 | – | 28 | $29,885 |
| X-Line S | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 3,373 | – | 28 | $30,485 |
| X-Line SX | AWD | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbocharged) | 190 | 195 | 3,549 | – | 26 | $34,285 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2027 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Kia Seltos model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbocharged) | 147–190 | 3,318–3,549 | – | 13.2 |
| 2026 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbocharged) | 147–190 | 3,109–3,248 | – | 13.2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbocharged) | 146–195 | 3,109–3,248 | – | 13.2 |
| 2024 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 146–195 | 2,936–3,247 | – | 13.2 |
| 2023 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 146–175 | 2,948–3,317 | – | 13.2 |
| 2022 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 146–175 | 2,948–3,317 | – | – |
| 2021 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 146–175 | 2,948–3,317 | – | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Kia Seltos.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0W-20 (4.54 qt) Smartstream G2.0; 0W-20 (5.07 qt) Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi | DOT 4 | 79–94 lb-ft | R-1234yf | – |
| 2026 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2025 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2024 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2023 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Kia Seltos: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 12 | ||
| 2024 | 2 | 42 | powertrain, airbags |
| 2023 | 2 | 45 | powertrain, engine cooling |
| 2022 | 1 | 72 | engine cooling |
| 2021 | 2 | 363 | engine, engine cooling |
| 2020 | not available | ||
| 2019 | not available | ||
| 2018 | not available | ||
| 2017 | not available | ||
| 2016 | not available | ||
| 2015 | not available |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Kia Seltos?
Federal recall records don't single out a best Kia Seltos model year: recall counts across the 4 published model years checked here stay within a normal range of this nameplate's own average (about 1.8 recalls per year), with no year standing out as notably higher or lower. Recall count is one input, not a purchase verdict. It says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record.
Q02What are common recall-related problems on the Kia Seltos by model year?
2024: powertrain, airbags. 2023: powertrain, engine cooling. 2022: engine cooling. 2021: engine, engine cooling.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Engine and cooling, Transmission and drivetrain, Buying, records and recalls.
Compared with
Models this Kia Seltos is most often compared with.
Nearest Kia models
Other Kia models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2027 Seltos come in?
The 2027 Kia Seltos (subcompact SUV) comes in 5 trims: LX, S, EX, X-Line, Hybrid.
Q02What are the 2027 Seltos trims?
The 2027 Kia Seltos trims are LX, S, EX, X-Line, Hybrid, listed from the entry LX up to the top Hybrid.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2027 Seltos use?
The 2027 Kia Seltos is built around 2.0L four-cylinder, 1.6L turbo four-cylinder, or 1.6L hybrid (1.6L GDI plus 32-kW electric motor), rated at 141 / 147 / 190 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2027 Seltos have?
The 2027 Kia Seltos is rated at 141 / 147 / 190 horsepower (2.0L four-cylinder, 1.6L turbo four-cylinder, or 1.6L hybrid (1.6L GDI plus 32-kW electric motor)).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2027 Seltos?
The 2027 Kia Seltos is offered with FWD / AWD.