The Kia Seltos was introduced for the 2021 model year with a clear mission to fill the gap between the quirky Soul and the sleeker, more grown-up Sportage. It did exactly that, slotting neatly into Kia's lineup as a subcompact crossover that punched well above its weight.
Under the skin, the Seltos shares its platform with the Hyundai Kona, but carved out its own identity with its larger footprint and a more rugged personality. Kia described it as "rugged refinement"—tough on the outside, but with a surprisingly premium interior at this price point. And for those who want to stand out in a parking lot, the Seltos is available in bright exterior colors such as “Neptune Blue” and “Starbright Yellow” and, depending on the color, a contrasting gloss black or white roof.
The Seltos goes up against some tough competition, including the Subaru Crosstrek, the Toyota Corolla Cross, the Mazda CX-30, and the Honda HR-V. It holds its own with a high-quality cabin, refined driving dynamics, and generous passenger and cargo space considering its compact dimensions.
An all-new, second-generation Seltos was unveiled in late 2025, adopting Kia's latest design language with a much edgier look than the first. It's available with gas engines or a hybrid powertrain, and is due to arrive in U.S. dealerships in 2026. We’ll add it to this guide once more details are available.
Kia Seltos Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Kia Seltos Pros and Cons
- Kia Seltos Generations
- First Generation (2021-Current)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kia Seltos years are the best?
The best examples of the Kia Seltos are the later, post-facelift, 2024 to 2026 model years, particularly the SX trim level with the turbocharged engine and improved eight-speed automatic transmission. The technology around the vehicle was updated, too, with features such as Kia Connect and Digital Key allowing drivers to use their smartphones to control various functions.
What are the worst Kia Seltos years?
The 2021 model year is the worst, because it was the first year of production and Kia had a few bugs to work out. Models with the naturally aspirated powertrain were subject to a major recall that could lead to engine failure if left unaddressed.
Is a used Kia Seltos a good deal?
Yes, a used Kia Seltos can be a great deal. When new, the Seltos delivered impressive specs at a reasonable MSRP, and that trend continues on the used market. A pleasant driving experience, efficient powertrains, and a practical interior make the Seltos a great choice.
Kia Seltos Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Intuitive controls
- Practical packaging
- Nicely refined chassis
Cons:
- Noisy cabin
- Clunky dual-clutch transmission
- Base engine feels underpowered
Kia Seltos Generations
First Generation (2021-Present)
The first-generation Kia Seltos quickly made a strong case for itself in one of the most crowded and competitive segments in the market. The Seltos launched in early 2020 for the 2021 model year, in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX—and navigating them can be tricky. The base Kia Seltos LX came standard with an active torque-vectoring all-wheel drive (AWD) system, but missed out on the full suite of Kia's active safety features. The S flipped that equation; it was front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) as a $1,500 option, and came standard with the complete safety suite, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.
The EX trim hit the sweet spot for most buyers, with standard all-wheel drive, the full safety suite, active driver assistance features, and upgrades such as the larger 10.3-inch infotainment screen, premium faux-leather Syntex upholstery with heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power sunroof. At the top of the range, the Kia Seltos SX added the turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, a Bose premium sound system, smart cruise control, highway driving assist, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The base powertrain was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower, paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)—a type of continuously variable transmission (CVT). It was not a thrilling setup, but it was smooth and delivered impressive fuel economy, giving up to 31 miles per gallon (mpg) in FWD form. Those who wanted a bit more punch could opt for the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which bumped output to 175 hp and 195 pound-feet of torque, and was paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission available on the top-of-the-line SX trims. A brief S Turbo variant was also offered for the 2021 model year only, adding the turbo engine and sporty 18-inch alloy wheels to the S trim package.
Inside, the Seltos genuinely impressed. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the cabin was spacious and well thought out, offering more room than most rivals' interiors and reclining seats for rear passengers. The cargo area was flexible, with an adjustable load board and a flat floor with the rear seats folded down. Standard equipment included an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, while EX and SX buyers got a larger 10.3-inch touchscreen display, a wireless phone charger, and a rear USB charging port. The ride struck a nice balance too—controlled and comfortable, with 7.2 inches of ground clearance giving it a confident, planted feel on rougher roads while still maintaining a pleasant driving experience.
Kia made steady improvements to the Seltos over the years. For 2022, the whole lineup gained a few additional active safety features as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. A new Nightfall Edition also arrived that year, adding blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. For 2023, acoustic windshield glass was added across the range to reduce wind noise, and the larger 10.3-inch screen became an optional add-on for the S trim.
The bigger news came for the 2024 Kia Seltos, which was meaningfully updated inside and out. Styling was sharpened with more distinctive front and rear ends, higher trims gained full-LED projector headlights featuring Kia's signature Starmap design, and a new light bar tied the rear end together. The turbocharged engine was retuned to produce 195 hp (with the same 195 lb-ft of torque), and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission was swapped out for a conventional eight-speed torque converter automatic. Inside, all trims received Kia's panoramic display, combining two 10.25-inch screens into one seamless panoramic setup for the instrument display and infotainment. For improved smartphone connectivity, Kia Connect and a USB-C port were added. All Kia Seltos models received a few new standard safety features such as forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitors, while rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist was limited to the S and higher trims.
A new Kia Seltos X-Line trim level also joined the lineup, targeting adventure-minded buyers with a unique front end, gunmetal finishes, blacked-out wheels, Syntex seat trim, and standard roof rails. Finally, the Kia Seltos EX was now available in FWD with the AWD system turning into a $1,500 option. The range-topping SX trim got optional ventilated front seats when equipped with the SX Sunroof Package. Changes for 2025 and 2026 were modest. The turbo engine was slightly retuned to 190 horsepower, the EX and the SX gained a smart power liftgate, and interior materials were improved across the board.
The Seltos has a solid overall reputation for reliability, but there are a few things worth knowing before you buy, particularly if you're looking at the earlier model years. The 2021 and 2022 Seltos models with the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine and the IVT transmission have a known issue with the piston rings. In less severe cases, it shows up as the engine burning a little more oil than it should and, left unaddressed, it can lead to significant engine damage. Kia issued a recall to address this problem, and affected vehicles are eligible for an engine replacement. Before purchasing any pre-2024 Seltos with the naturally aspirated engine, it is essential to confirm that this recall has been completed. A quick VIN check on Kia's website or through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall database will reveal all.
The good news is that the later model years are considerably more dependable. The 2024 and newer Seltos, particularly those equipped with the revised 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and the new eight-speed automatic transmission, have been much more reliable and are therefore the safest bets for used buyers.
Pricing for the Seltos varies depending on model year, trim, and condition, but there's genuine value to be found across the range. Pre-facelift models from 2021 to 2023 are the most affordable, with 2021 examples averaging around $16,000 and 2023 models sitting closer to $20,000. Because of the engine reliability concerns mentioned above, base 2.0-liter CVT models can often be found at a discount—buyers should just be sure the piston ring recall has been addressed. The refreshed 2024-and-up models carry a premium, with prices starting around $23,000 and climbing to roughly $29,000 for a fully loaded SX.
