Is the 2027 Kia Seltos a good car?

The 2027 Kia Seltos earns an 8.17/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, and Technology.

Kia’s redesign gives you a more upright, boxier small SUV with a roomier cabin, best-in-class rear legroom, and a larger cargo area than before. It also adds a strong tech story, including a 30-inch panoramic display and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so the Seltos feels more modern and more useful than a typical entry in this class.

The trade-offs are clear, though: the standard 2.0-liter engine is slow when you need quick passing or merging power, and the ride can feel soft and springy on rough roads. The top X-Line SX is more satisfying, but it also pushes the price up quickly.

Good and great deals make up 30.5% of listings, so there’s still some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2027 Kia Seltos reliable?

The 2027 Kia Seltos is presented as a brand-new redesign with a generous warranty package, which helps support long-term ownership confidence. Kia backs it with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, and five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance coverage.

The expert data also points to a practical, well-packaged small SUV with modern safety and convenience tech, plus a powertrain lineup that should be familiar to Kia shoppers. The upcoming hybrid is described as the more appealing efficiency play, while the current gas models are framed as adequate rather than exciting.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the current gas lineup may feel less satisfying over time if you prioritize smooth, strong everyday performance.

What should I look for when buying a used 2027 Kia Seltos?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97.3% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re looking at a higher-mileage example or a trim with more equipment. Focus on condition, feature operation, and whether the vehicle has the safety and convenience gear you want, since trim content varies meaningfully.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the most basic version, and it lacks blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Kia recommends stepping up to the S, which adds safe-exit warning.
• Powertrain: The standard setup uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a CVT, while the X-Line SX gets a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic, torque-vectoring AWD, a 4WD Lock function, and a Terrain driving mode.
• Safety package: Forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking with intersection turning assist, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control are standard. The Prestige Package on the X-Line SX adds Highway Driving Assist, a camera-based blind-spot monitor, a surround-view camera system, additional side parking sensors, and rear automatic braking.
• Infotainment: The cabin centers on a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and the panoramic display can also include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 5-inch climate control display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with Kia Connect connected services.
• Fuel efficiency: The X-Line SX is rated at 26 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

Which 2027 Kia Seltos trim should I buy?

The 2027 Kia Seltos is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, S, EX, X-Line S, and X-Line SX.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, but it’s the least appealing choice because it misses blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. You can buy it if price is your top priority, but it’s not the best value.
• S: This is the trim you should start with if you want the smartest balance of equipment and safety. It adds the safety gear Kia says the LX lacks, including safe-exit warning, so it’s the best-value pick for most shoppers.
• EX: This is the step-up choice if you want more comfort and convenience without jumping all the way to the sportier X-Line models. It keeps the Seltos’ roomy, tech-forward character while moving you closer to a more upscale feel.
• X-Line S: This trim is for buyers who want standard AWD and a more rugged-leaning setup without going all the way to the top turbo model. It’s the better fit if traction and a more adventurous look matter to you.
• X-Line SX: This is the most powerful and most feature-rich version, with the turbocharged engine and the available Prestige Package bringing the fanciest displays, premium audio, ventilated front seats, camera-based visibility aids, and Highway Driving Assist. It’s the right pick if you want the most complete Seltos experience and don’t mind paying for it.

For safety, the base LX is missing blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, so the S is the trim most buyers should target.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2027 Kia Seltos?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient and compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 452 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 97.3% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2027 Kia Seltos safe?

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Kia equips the Seltos with a broad standard safety suite that includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking with intersection turning assist, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The standard hands-on-detection steering wheel is designed to reduce system warnings and keep you engaged.

The main caveat is that the base LX trim does not get blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert, which is why Kia recommends moving up to the S. On the X-Line SX, the Prestige Package adds Highway Driving Assist, a camera-based blind-spot monitor, a surround-view camera system, additional side parking sensors, and rear automatic braking.

Should I buy a 2027 Kia Seltos or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2027 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2027 if:

• 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97.3% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• The redesigned model adds a more spacious cabin, stronger tech, and a broader powertrain mix, while the expert verdict says it is one of the best small SUVs on the market.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Seltos with the biggest jump in space, technology, and overall polish, the 2027 is the one to target. If you’re more price-sensitive, you may want to wait for a better deal or focus on a lower trim, since the top versions climb quickly in price and the current gas powertrains are still the weakest part of the package.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.