New & Used 2027 Kia Seltos for Sale nearSanta Cruz, CA

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.

It stands out as a roomy small SUV with a bold redesign, a more upright shape, and a cabin that leans hard into space and tech. Kia’s own positioning and our test-drive notes point to a compact crossover that feels more substantial than its size suggests, with best-in-class rear legroom, a larger cargo area, and a strong feature set for shoppers who want practicality with a more rugged personality.

The trade-offs are real, though. The standard 2.0-liter engine is slow when you need quick merging or passing power, and the ride can feel soft and springy at times. The base trim also misses some safety equipment that many shoppers will want.

Even so, 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you a decent market to shop in.

Is the 2027 Kia Seltos reliable?

The 2027 Kia Seltos is presented as a new-generation model with a familiar gas-engine lineup and a broader mix of powertrain choices, which suggests Kia is building on an established formula rather than starting from scratch. The overview also emphasizes a practical, mainstream mission, and the expert notes point to a vehicle that is thoughtfully packaged and aimed at everyday use.

The performance notes describe the standard 2.0-liter setup as adequate for typical small-SUV driving, while the turbocharged version brings stronger response and more satisfying acceleration. Kia’s generous 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty also help reduce ownership anxiety for used buyers.

If you plan to keep the vehicle long term, the main risk is that the standard powertrain may feel strained in demanding driving, so condition and maintenance history matter more if you want a trouble-free ownership experience.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or a trim with more equipment. Focus on how the cabin electronics, driver-assistance features, and suspension feel in real-world use, since those are the areas most likely to shape your day-to-day satisfaction.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX trim lacks blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the S trim adds a safer-feeling equipment mix and safe-exit warning. The higher trims also bring more upscale display and comfort features, so you should compare equipment carefully if you want the best value.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 147 horsepower and uses a CVT, while the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder brings stronger output and pairs with an eight-speed automatic and torque-vectoring AWD on the X-Line SX.
• Safety package: Standard equipment 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 base LX misses blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Infotainment: The cabin features a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Kia Connect connected services. The panoramic display setup also includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 5-inch climate control display on equipped models.
• 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 also the trim where you give up blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It makes sense only if your budget is tight and you’re willing to keep the equipment list basic.
• S: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the safety equipment the LX misses, including safe-exit warning, while keeping the Seltos’ core practicality intact.
• EX: Choose this if you want a more comfort- and tech-oriented daily driver without jumping all the way to the sportier or more expensive X-Line models.
• X-Line S: This is the better pick if you want standard AWD and a more rugged setup without going to the top trim.
• X-Line SX: This is the most powerful and most feature-rich version, with the turbocharged engine and the most upscale available equipment. It’s the one to buy if you want the strongest performance and don’t mind paying for it.

The safety package note is simple: the LX misses blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, so the S trim is the smarter starting point for most used buyers.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 457 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 97.4% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2027 Kia Seltos safe?

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

The Seltos comes with a generous standard driver-assistance 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. Kia’s Highway Driving Assist is available with the Prestige Package on the X-Line SX, and that package also adds a camera-based blind-spot monitor, surround-view camera system, additional side parking sensors, and rear automatic braking.

The main caveat is that the base LX trim does not get blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert, so you should step up if those features matter to you.

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:

• 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• The redesigned model adds a more spacious cabin, stronger tech, and a broader powertrain lineup, with the hybrid still on the way.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Seltos with the most room, the most advanced cabin, and the freshest design, the 2027 is the one to target. If you’re more price-sensitive and don’t need the latest updates, a nearby model year may still make sense, but the 2027 is the better choice if you value the redesign and can wait for the right deal.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.