2027 Kia Seltos

Xiomara Gerardo

Excellent

The new 2027 Kia Seltos is an excellent little SUV, with an appealing base price, lots of standard features, and a surprisingly roomy cabin given the small footprint. An underpowered base engine makes the Seltos feel particularly slow, but if you don't mind the lack of speed, you should otherwise be quite happy with the Seltos.Read full review

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Kia Seltos for Sale

Price

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$25,855

28 for sale near you

Edmunds suggested price is based on sales in OH thru 9/21/26, including destination fee, but not other dealer fees. Final assembly in South Korea.

Pros

Roomy seating and cargo space for this size SUV
Easy-to-use controls
Comes well stocked with convenience and technology features

Cons

Slow acceleration makes highway entrance ramps a chore
Climate system can struggle a bit on hot days to keep you cool

What's new

The Seltos is fully redesigned for 2027
Bigger than before, with more interior space
Styling inspired by the larger Telluride
2027 Seltos kicks off the vehicle's second generation

Kia Seltos Video Shorts

by Edmunds Test Team

Overview

Written by automotive expert Alex Nishimoto

Updated: 9/22/2026

The 2027 Kia Seltos is an extra-small SUV slotting below the Sportage in the brand's lineup. It's still the brand's least expensive SUV, but it's getting an upsized makeover for 2027. The distance between the front and rear wheels has grown by 2.4 inches, and the exterior adopts a boxier, more upright design inspired by the three-row Telluride. This gives the Seltos a more spacious interior with some of the best rear seat legroom, headroom and cargo space in its class. Inside, the Seltos gets a new dual-screen instrument display and infotainment setup also inspired by the Telluride. Powertrains for the most part carry over from the previous generation and include a lackluster base 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a slightly peppier turbocharged 1.6-liter. New for 2027, however, is a Seltos hybrid model, which we review separately. Check out our test team's Expert Rating to get our full report on this impressive new Kia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Reese Counts

Excellent

7.8

out of 10

We drove the 2027 Kia Seltos on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

5.7/10

How does it drive? Let's get the disappointing bit out of the way first: The Kia Seltos is slow. A front-wheel-drive Seltos with the standard engine we reviewed was one of the slowest new cars we've tested in years. If it's loaded with passengers or cargo, the Seltos feels sluggish, especially on the highway. Even the optional turbo engine (only available on the top trim) doesn't add much pep to the Seltos' step. While no small SUV is particularly quick, the Seltos stands out for being particularly slow. Panic-braking performance was also a bit lackluster, though the brakes feel fine in day-to-day driving.

On the upside, the Seltos rides reasonably well for a small SUV. While it's not plush, it absorbs most bumps and ruts and provides a relatively relaxed highway ride. Parking is a breeze thanks to the light steering and excellent outward visibility. The upright windows provide a great outward view, and available features like blind-spot cameras and a surround-view monitor help visibility even more.

Kia offers a good number of driver aids with the Seltos, including adaptive cruise control and lane centering. These features worked well in our testing and were unobtrusive.

Comfort

8.4/10

How comfortable is it? The Seltos might be Kia's smallest SUV, but it's among the most spacious crossovers in its class. That's especially true in the rear, where even passengers over 6 feet tall will have reasonable headroom and legroom. The boxy, upright shape gives the Seltos plenty of shoulder room, too. The seats are well padded and supportive, with decent adjustment. While only the driver's seat has power adjustments, even the rear seats have adjustable seatbacks.

Our test team found that installing a child seat is easier than in most small SUVs. There are anchors on the outboard rear seats and three across the rear seatbacks. There's decent space to move around and install a larger rear-facing seat.

The Seltos' interior is well organized. It's not a big SUV, so all of the controls are within easy reach. The steering wheel blocks some of the climate settings, but thankfully, Kia places the switches for the temperature and fan settings within easy sight. The climate control itself is easy to use, though we found the fans had to run full blast to keep the car cool on a hot day.

In-cabin tech

9.7/10

How’s the tech? The Seltos comes with some of the best tech you'll find in a small SUV. The standard 12.3-inch touchscreen features a clean, intuitive menu system that doesn't require a big learning curve. Kia even has some fun ways to customize the interface. We found the standard navigation system to be lackluster, but we did like that it's easy to connect a smartphone thanks to the Seltos' standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both have wireless functionality, and there are USB-C ports in both rows. Most trims also include a wireless charging pad up front.

Storage & cargo

8.7/10

How’s storage and cargo? The Seltos features 27.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 64.2 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down. That's more than most other compact or extra-small SUVs. The Seltos' boxy shape makes the cargo area usable, too. The Seltos sits higher than a sedan but lower than most SUVs, meaning it's easy to load stuff into the Seltos. The low hatch also helps in parking garages.

Storage in the front of the cabin isn't quite as nice. The Seltos is narrow, so the center console is deep but not overly spacious. We wish it had the configurable cupholders found in some other Kias to help open up the space. That said, there are still plenty of small pockets for your sunglasses or smartphone.

Value

8.7/10

Is it a good value? With a base price of around $26,000, the Seltos is one of the most affordable new vehicles you can buy today. Pricing for a loaded trim can approach $40,000, but our midlevel front-wheel-drive EX test vehicle carried an as-tested price of $31,805 and was missing little in the way of features. Standard features include a solid list of driver aids, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and LED headlights. While it's not cheap, the optional turbocharged engine is a rarity in this class.

As with all Kias, the Seltos comes with an excellent five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Build quality is solid, and while it's not a premium SUV, the Seltos is well assembled and less spartan than some other affordable SUVs.

MPG

5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Seltos is available with two engines. The standard engine gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined with front-wheel drive; opting for all-wheel drive drops the estimate to 28 mpg combined. The optional turbocharged engine only comes with all-wheel drive and is a bit thirstier, with an EPA estimate of 26 mpg combined. Those are average figures, especially for a small SUV.

X factor

7/10

Kia's smallest SUV might be its best-looking. The Seltos has the looks and feel of a pint-sized Telluride, Kia's largest three-row SUV. The combination of bold styling with diminutive proportions gives the Seltos a more premium, grown-up vibe than some other small SUVs, many of which have distinct but divisive designs. The fact that the design doesn't hurt utility is a big plus for this class, too. We just wish the Seltos were a bit more capable or better to drive. If the X-Line package added real off-road capability or if the base engine wasn't so underwhelming, we'd be even more charmed by the Seltos.

Save as much as $1,117 with Edmunds

2027 Kia Seltos pricing in Columbus, OH

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Deals & Buying Tips for the 2027 Kia Seltos for October

The 2027 Kia Seltos has plenty of new supply and only light discounts, so this is more of a fair-price play than a deep-bargain moment.

Buyers are paying about $400 under MSRP on average, and there are no general customer cash rebates right now, so the Edmunds Suggested Price is just a little below sticker. Trim discounts are pretty consistent, though the X-Line SX looks slightly better at around 2% off MSRP.
There are about 16,100 new Seltos models listed nationwide, which is plentiful supply for a new vehicle. The S trim has the most availability, so it should be easiest to shop, while LX and X-Line SX stock is much thinner.
New Seltos models are taking about 25 days to sell versus an 18-day market average, which points to softer new-vehicle demand. That gives you some room to negotiate, especially on slower-moving trims like the EX.
If you’re financing, the best promo is 3.99% for 48 months for qualified buyers. That is far below typical market rates and can save you real money over the life of the loan.

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2027 Kia Seltos trim level differences

The 2027 Kia Seltos is an extra-small crossover SUV offered in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, X-Line S and X-Line SX. All but the X-Line SX come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque) paired to a continuously variable transmission. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder (190 hp, 195 lb-ft) mated to an eight-speed automatic is reserved for the top X-Line SX trim. The LX, S and EX trims come standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. X-Line versions get all-wheel drive as standard. Compare the 2027 Kia Seltos trim levels in-depth.

Which Seltos trim level does Edmunds recommend?

The base Seltos LX is already well equipped, but we think it's worth paying a little extra for the S trim. For a modest increase in price, you get some nice upgrades such as larger 18-inch wheels, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a wireless charging pad and more advanced driver aids. We think it's the best value of the Seltos lineup.

Other extra-small SUVs to consider

The Kia Seltos competes with other popular options such as Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Nissan Kicks, Toyota Corolla Cross and Volkswagen Taos. These are all solid choices, though the Seltos might win you over by way of its roomy interior and overall value. There's also the Hyundai Kona. The Kona and Seltos share some mechanical similarities and effectively serve as our top-rated extra-small SUVs.

Kia Seltos Reviews

Owner Reviews

5.0

5 reviews

5(100%)

4(0%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

See all 5 reviews of the Kia Seltos

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Nicely equipped for the money!!

Ranger770, 09/23/2026

2027 Kia Seltos EX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

All the standard safety features are included across every trim level. The ride is nice and refined for a sub $30k small SUV however it’s not going to win any races for sure. It’s got some pep with the non turbo FWD but it definitely could use 50 more ponies when you need to get moving in a hurry. The seats are comfortable with the leather-ish material. Nice that it has mostly physical …

With waiting for!!!

D. Lyle, 09/23/2026

2027 Kia Seltos S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

I waited over a year for the 2027 Seltos to arrive. I must say it was worth the wait. Great value for the money. The "S" model is the best buy for the buck. It is a baby Telluride. Quite impressed.

2027 KIA Seltos X Line SX

Shan Honeycutt , 09/17/2026

2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

We purchased this SUV a week ago and there aren't any complaints. This SUV is perfect for a smaller family that needs the AWD feature, and will get to enjoy the luxury safety/driving assistance the Seltos offers. We chose the X LINE SX and we're so glad we did. The heated seats and steering wheel will come in handy in a couple of months. For this to be our first new car purchase, im …

2027 Seltos xline S

JC, 07/29/2026

2027 Kia Seltos X-Line S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Love my frost blue seltos!

Helpful shopping links

2027 Kia Seltos video

The NEW Kia Seltos vs. Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross

Can you get a spacious, feature-packed subcompact SUV for under $30,000? We test the new Kia Seltos against the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross to find out.

2027 Kia Seltos Features & Specs

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,990
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$160/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2027 Kia Seltos has no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2027 Kia Seltos

Where the Kia Seltos ranks:

#2 in X-Small SUVs

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Safety

Key safety features on the Seltos include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

Research other Seltos years

FAQ

Is the Kia Seltos a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2027 Seltos both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.8 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2027 Seltos gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Seltos has 27.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia Seltos. Learn more

What's new in the 2027 Kia Seltos?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2027 Kia Seltos:

The Seltos is fully redesigned for 2027
Bigger than before, with more interior space
Styling inspired by the larger Telluride
2027 Seltos kicks off the vehicle's second generation

Learn more

Is the Kia Seltos reliable?

To determine whether the Kia Seltos is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Seltos. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Seltos's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2027 Kia Seltos a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2027 Kia Seltos is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2027 Seltos and gave it a 7.8 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2027 Seltos gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2027 Seltos is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2027 Kia Seltos?

The least-expensive 2027 Kia Seltos is the 2027 Kia Seltos LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $24,990.

Other versions include:

LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $24,990
S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $26,390
LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $26,690
S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $28,090
EX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $28,390
X-Line S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $28,990
EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $30,090
X-Line SX 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $32,790

Learn more

What are the different models of Kia Seltos?

If you're interested in the Kia Seltos, the next question is, which Seltos model is right for you? Seltos variants include LX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT), S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT), LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT), and S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of Seltos models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$160/mo

$228/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

2027 Kia Seltos

Price

Pros

Cons

What's new

Kia Seltos Video Shorts

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Driving experience

Comfort

In-cabin tech

Storage & cargo

Value

MPG

X factor

LX

S

EX

X-Line S Most Popular

X-Line SX

Deals & Buying Tips for the 2027 Kia Seltos for October

2027 Kia Seltos trim level differences

Which Seltos trim level does Edmunds recommend?

Other extra-small SUVs to consider

Kia Seltos Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2027 Kia Seltos video

2027 Kia Seltos Features & Specs

Reliability

Recalls

Where the Kia Seltos ranks:

Check a dealer's price

Safety

Key safety features on the Seltos include:

FAQ

Is the Kia Seltos a good car?

What's new in the 2027 Kia Seltos?

Is the Kia Seltos reliable?

Is the 2027 Kia Seltos a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2027 Kia Seltos?

What are the different models of Kia Seltos?

Cost to Drive