Archived model-year dossier
2026 Kia Seltos
The 2026 Kia Seltos's FuelEconomy.gov record holds 2 EPA certification records across 1 model/option label (Seltos AWD), spanning All-Wheel Drive drivetrain and Regular fuel type across 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl SIDI, 2L 4-cyl). EPA classifies it under Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD vehicle class, built on Conventional powertrain technology. Across those configurations, expect combined efficiency of 25–29 MPG/MPGe, an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150–$2,500/yr. The site covers 4 model years of the Kia Seltos, 2021 through 2027, and this is the 2026. Every figure on this page belongs to the 2026 model year alone.
Configurations2
Model/option labels1
Combined efficiency25–29 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listed
Decision answers14
Trim-by-trim specifications
The 2026 Kia Seltos: 4 trims compared.
Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | EPA city / hwy / comb | Seats | Basic warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Automatic, IVT | AWD | 147 | 132 | 27 / 31 / 29 mpg | 5 | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| S | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Automatic, IVT | AWD | 147 | 132 | 27 / 31 / 29 mpg | 5 | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| EX | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Automatic, IVT | AWD | 147 | 132 | 27 / 31 / 29 mpg | 5 | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| SX | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbocharged) | Automatic, 8-Spd | AWD | 190 | 195 | 24 / 27 / 25 mpg | 5 | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Trim | Curb weight | Length | Height | Wheelbase | Ground clearance | Turning circle | Fuel tank | Front headroom | Front legroom | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | 3,109 lb | 172.6 in | 63.6 in | 103.5 in | 7.3 in | 34.8 ft | 13.2 gal | 40 in | 41.4 in | P215/55R17 |
| S | 3,109 lb | 172.6 in | 64.2 in | 103.5 in | 7.3 in | 34.8 ft | 13.2 gal | 40 in | 41.4 in | P215/55R17 |
| EX | 3,109 lb | 172.6 in | 64.2 in | 103.5 in | 7.3 in | 34.8 ft | 13.2 gal | 40 in | 41.4 in | P215/55R17 |
| SX | 3,248 lb | 172.6 in | 64.2 in | 103.5 in | 7.3 in | 34.8 ft | 13.2 gal | 40 in | 41.4 in | P235/45R18 |
Equipment by trim
Which 2026 Kia Seltos trim has what.
Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.
| Equipment | LX | S | EX | SX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | ||||
| Anti-theft alarm | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Blind-spot alert | – | Std | Std | Std |
| Child door locks | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Child-seat anchors | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hill-descent control | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hill-start assist | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Pedestrian detection | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rearview camera | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Electronic stability control | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Traction control | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Technology | ||||
| Bluetooth audio streaming | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hands-free calling | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Navigation system | – | Std | Std | Std |
| Premium audio system | – | – | – | Std |
| Satellite radio | – | Std | Std | Std |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Steering-wheel audio controls | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Touchscreen | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Voice recognition | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Comfort | ||||
| Heated front seats | – | Std | Std | Std |
| Heated mirrors | – | Std | Std | Std |
| Power driver's seat | – | – | Std | Std |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | – | Std | Std | Std |
| Front and rear climate zones | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Cup holders | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Folding rear seat | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Exterior and convenience | ||||
| Alloy wheels | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Fog lights | – | Std | Std | Std |
| Privacy glass | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear spoiler | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Roof rails | – | Std | Std | Std |
| 12-volt power outlet | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power windows | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote keyless entry | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Proximity keyless entry | – | Std | Std | Std |
| Push-button start | – | Std | Std | Std |
| Cruise control | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear-window defroster | Std | Std | Std | Std |
Complete certification table
2 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49505Seltos AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8) | Regular | 24 | 27 | 25 | N/A |
| 49506Seltos AWD | 2L 4-cylConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 27 | 31 | 29 | N/A |
Model-specific answer center
14 answers for this exact family-year.
Q01What changed on the 2026 Kia Seltos versus the 2025 Kia Seltos?
Model year
Against the 2025 Kia Seltos: Model/option labels no longer listed: Seltos FWD. Drive designations no longer listed: Front-Wheel Drive. EPA size classes no longer listed: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD. Certification records went from 3 to 2. Midpoint combined efficiency moved from 28.0 to 27.0 MPG/MPGe.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02Which current models share the 2026 Kia Seltos's EPA class?
Comparison
Class peers of the 2026 Kia Seltos in the current EPA data include 2026 Acura MDX, 2026 Acura RDX, 2026 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale, 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale eAWD, 2027 Audi Q3, and 87 more.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q03What size wheels does the 2026 Kia Seltos have?
Wheels and tires
The 2026 Kia Seltos's wheel diameter is 17 inches on the LX, S and EX and 18 inches on the SX. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q04How do the 2026 Kia Seltos trims differ from one another?
Trims
The S has blind-spot alert, fog lights, heated front seats and 7 more as standard equipment over the LX. The EX has a power driver's seat as standard equipment over the S. The SX has 190 hp against 147 and a premium audio system as standard equipment over the EX.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q05What suspension does the 2026 Kia Seltos use?
Brakes and suspension
MotorTrend describes the 2026 Kia Seltos's suspension this way. Front: a MacPherson-type strut design. Rear: a multi-link design. Source: MotorTrend, read 2026-09-25.
Q06How did the 2026 Kia Seltos do in IIHS crash tests?
Safety
IIHS rated the 2026 Kia Seltos: Good in the small overlap front test, Acceptable in the updated moderate overlap front test, Marginal in the updated side test. IIHS states the rating applies to 2021-26 and 2024-26 models, based on a test of the 2021 Kia Seltos EX 4-door 4wd. Grades run Good, Acceptable, Marginal, Poor. Source: IIHS vehicle ratings, read 2026-09-24.
Source: iihs.org (opens in a new tab)
Q07How many people does the 2026 Kia Seltos LX FWD seat?
Specifications
CarBuzz lists 5 seats for the 2026 Kia Seltos LX FWD.
Source: CarBuzz model-year specification page
Q08How much cargo space does the 2026 Kia Seltos LX FWD have?
Specifications
CarBuzz lists 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space for the 2026 Kia Seltos LX FWD.
Source: CarBuzz model-year specification page
Q09What warranty does the 2026 Kia Seltos LX FWD come with?
Specifications
CarBuzz lists the 2026 Kia Seltos LX FWD with basic coverage of 60 months or 60,000 miles, powertrain coverage of 120 months or 100,000 miles, corrosion coverage of 60 months or 100,000 miles and roadside assistance of 60 months or 60,000 miles.
Source: CarBuzz model-year specification page
Q10What is the GVWR of the 2026 Kia Seltos LX 4dr SUV?
Specifications
CarDealerships.com lists a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,969 pounds for the 2026 Kia Seltos LX 4dr SUV.
Source: CarDealerships.com model-year specification page
Q11What is the payload capacity of the 2026 Kia Seltos LX 4dr SUV?
Specifications
CarDealerships.com lists a maximum payload of 1,032 pounds for the 2026 Kia Seltos LX 4dr SUV.
Source: CarDealerships.com model-year specification page
Q12How quickly does the 2026 Kia Seltos accelerate from 0 to 60 mph?
Specifications
The most recent instrumented 0 to 60 mph test of this model that 0-60Specs.com lists is of earlier model years than the 2026 Kia Seltos: 7.1 seconds for the 2025 Kia Seltos SX Turbo 4x (Car and Driver).
Source: 0-60Specs.com model-year specification page
Q13What does the 2026 Kia Seltos cost across its trims?
Pricing
Kelley Blue Book's national base prices for the 2026 Kia Seltos run from $25,285 for the LX to $32,985 for the SX, across 4 trims. Those figures include the destination charge.
Source: Kelley Blue Book
Q14What brake fluid, refrigerant and key-fob battery does the 2026 Kia Seltos use?
Maintenance
The 2026 Kia Seltos owner's manual names DOT 4 brake fluid. Source: 2026 Kia Seltos owner's manual. The 2025 model year has the same figure.
Source: Manufacturer owner's manual
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2026 Kia Seltos.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.
Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.
01 · NHTSASafety ratings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck open safety recalls by 17-character VINOfficial VIN remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAQuery another year, make, model and option1984–current browser →
FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology
Other model years
Compare the Kia Seltos across model years.
Ownership desk
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