Used 2022 Kia Seltos for Sale nearBakersfield, CA

How much does the 2022 Kia Seltos cost?

Prices have softened 9.59% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,477 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and prices.

Is the 2022 Kia Seltos a good car?

Yes — the 2022 Kia Seltos earns a 4.83/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, smooth ride, and impressive fuel economy, and they also like the advanced features and handling. In use-case terms, that lines up well if you want a small crossover that feels practical, easy to live with, and well equipped for everyday driving.

The trade-offs are the irritating transmission, cheap-feeling interior materials, and noise. Even so, the Seltos is positioned as a value-focused compact SUV with spaciousness, easy-to-use technology, and a great warranty, which helps offset some of those compromises.

Only 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market is usable but selective.

Is the 2022 Kia Seltos reliable?

Owners rate it 4.83/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for comfort, smooth ride quality, and impressive fuel economy. The expert notes also support that impression by highlighting the Seltos as a practical, value-oriented small SUV with a strong warranty and plenty of everyday usability.

Kia’s warranty coverage is a meaningful ownership perk, and the model’s fuel economy should help keep running costs manageable. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that transmission behavior, cabin noise, and interior wear may matter more as mileage climbs.

What should I look for when buying a used 2022 Kia Seltos?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the transmission behavior, cabin condition, and any signs of excessive road-noise-related wear. If possible, test the vehicle on rough pavement and at highway speeds so you can judge ride quality and noise for yourself.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX each bring different equipment levels, and the base setup leaves out some of the richer features found higher up. The Nightfall Edition adds blacked-out styling, a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission, and more robust roof rails, while the SX is the most feature-rich choice.
• Powertrain: The LX, S, and EX use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, while the Nightfall Edition and SX use a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft. The turbo engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the base engine uses a CVT.
• Safety package: The Seltos includes forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and Rear Occupant Alert. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the EX and optional on the S, while adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist require the SX.
• Infotainment: The available 10.25-inch touchscreen includes Bluetooth for two devices, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, a six-speaker stereo, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The standard 8-inch system on the LX and S trims offers wireless smartphone connectivity.
• Fuel efficiency: The Nightfall Edition returns 27 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle matched that figure on evaluation.

Which 2022 Kia Seltos trim should I buy?

The 2022 Kia Seltos is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Seltos formula with the base engine and standard AWD. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it leaves you with fewer convenience and tech upgrades than the higher trims.
• S: This trim is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds more flexibility, including the option of front-wheel drive or AWD, and it can be equipped with the larger touchscreen. If you want to keep costs in check while still getting a well-rounded setup, this is the trim to focus on.
• EX: This is the smarter pick if you want more standard equipment and a stronger safety story, since it adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It also gets the 10.25-inch touchscreen as standard, which makes it a strong everyday upgrade.
• Nightfall Edition: Choose this if you want the turbocharged engine, the dual-clutch transmission, and the blacked-out styling treatment. It is the most distinctive-looking version and the one that feels most special from behind the wheel.
• SX: This is the top choice if you want the most complete feature set, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist. It is the trim to buy if you want the most advanced safety and convenience tech.

The safety package expands as you move up the range, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on the EX and adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist reserved for the SX.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2022 Kia Seltos?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,477 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.59% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,655, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2022 Kia Seltos's resale value?

The current average of $17,655 sits slightly below last year's $19,528.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can help you buy more confidently now but may also limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you purchase at a strong price and keep the vehicle in clean condition, you should be better positioned than someone who buys near the top of the range. The current spread also means future sellers may need to price competitively to stand out.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.83/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2022 Kia Seltos safe?

The 2022 Kia Seltos SX earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and the model earns a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Kia equips the Seltos with forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and Rear Occupant Alert. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the EX and optional on the S, while adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist are reserved for the SX.

A key caveat is that not every version qualifies for the IIHS honor because of headlight performance differences, so trim choice matters if safety is a priority.

Should I buy a 2022 Kia Seltos or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2022 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2022 if:

• 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.59% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.83/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Kia expands availability of the 10.25-inch touchscreen and driver-assist tech across more trims.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $15,839, the 2021 costs less than the current year's $17,655 average.
• It offers a more polished, high-quality cabin with strong infotainment and safety tech.

The 2022 is the better pick if you want the newer market position, broader feature availability, and a strong mix of value and safety. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2021 is still appealing and may be the smarter buy for price-sensitive shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.