The Kia Seltos has been on sale for several years now and has grown into its role as a value-forward subcompact SUV with well-behaved driving dynamics, a spacious interior, solid standard technology features, and an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
2025 Kia Seltos Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2025 Kia Seltos
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2025 Kia Seltos
The Seltos saw a mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year, which brought significant changes to its interior and exterior styling, powertrains, and more. Updates for the 2025 model year are less dramatic and include a few new features for higher trim levels and new wheels for the near-entry-level S trim.
Design
The Seltos features Kia’s signature “tiger nose grille,” which is flanked by sharp headlight units and unique LED daytime running lights (DRLs). Higher trims have fog lights mounted in the outer bumper. A variety of wheel choices are available, depending on the trim, and some configurations offer two-tone paint.
Powertrain
Kia offers two powertrain options for the 2025 Seltos. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front- or all-wheel drive (FWD or AWD). A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is available that produces 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Neither engine is particularly engaging or exciting, but the turbo mill makes a better companion in almost every situation, though its fuel economy ratings aren’t up to speed with the base engine’s numbers. The ride quality and handling are firmer than expected, but the Seltos remains comfortable in most scenarios.
Interior
The five-seat Seltos comes standard with cloth upholstery, but synthetic leather is available. Heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel are also available. Cargo space in the Seltos is generous for the class, measuring 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and up to 62.8 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.
Technology
Kia equips the 2025 Seltos with an 8-inch touchscreen, as well as a 4.2-inch display in the gauge cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with six speakers and Bluetooth. Available tech includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless charging, SiriusXM radio, a Bose audio system, remote start, and more.
Safety
The 2025 Kia Seltos missed out on a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but it comes with a decent number of standard features. These include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, driver-attention warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure alert, a rearview camera, rear-seat alert, and pedestrian and cyclist detection. Kia also offers adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and parking sensors.
Pricing and Release Date
As of the time of this writing, the 2025 Kia Seltos starts at $26,085 for the base LX trim. The mid-range EX costs $27,585, and the top SX starts at $32,585.