2025 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, resulting in subtle yet effective design updates. The refreshed model featured updated headlight and grille designs, with a light strip connecting the smaller taillight assemblies, giving the vehicle a modernized appearance without a significant price increase. The test model showcased the new “Pluton Blue” paint, which added a sharp aesthetic. Inside, the Seltos introduced two new interior colors, “Gentle Brown” and “Midnight Green,” although the test model retained the standard black interior. A significant interior change was the large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

The 2025 Ford Explorer continued its sleek design with a refreshed front end, enhancing its rugged and handsome appearance. The rear featured new LED taillights that bled into the liftgate, connected by a trim strip with the SUV’s name. The interior updates significantly improved the Explorer's ambiance, making it competitive in its segment. Ford reduced the available trim levels from eight to four, including the new base trim Active, sporty ST-Line, luxurious Platinum, and performance-tuned ST. Prices ranged from $39,755 to $55,505, excluding the destination charge. During a driving event in Michigan, the ST-Line with RWD and additional packages was tested, showcasing its appealing design and features.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The base LX trim came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), while the S and EX trims offered front-wheel drive (FWD) with optional AWD. The X-Line and SX trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The turbocharged engine provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in 40-to-60 mph situations, and handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engine options. Most trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer ST and optional Platinum trim boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. All Explorers had a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD), with an optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) system. The ST-Line test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Explorer’s powertrain provided quick acceleration, and the 10-speed automatic delivered decisive shifts. The ST-Line’s performance was enhanced with larger wheels and performance brakes, offering a delightful ride and handling experience.

The 2024 Kia Seltos provided up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 26.6 cubic feet with the seats in use. The SX trim offered a hands-free power liftgate. The Seltos featured an upright seating position with ample headroom, providing solid driver visibility and good rear legroom. The front seating area included decently sized in-door cupholders and cubbies, while the SX trim came with a removable cargo cover.

The 2025 Ford Explorer seated six people in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, heated power-adjustable front seats, and the optional Premium Package, adding ambient lighting, massage seats, and a power-folding third-row seat. The front seats were comfortable, with breathable fabric inserts. The second-row captain’s chairs were equally comfortable, while the third row was less accommodating for adults. Cargo space measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 85.8 cubic feet.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent large digital bezel across its trim lineup, with screen sizes varying by trim. The base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with physical controls for volume and climate. The SX trim offered an upgraded eight-speaker Bose stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

The 2025 Ford Explorer introduced the Ford Digital Experience, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and web browser apps were available. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems by Bang & Olufsen, with 10 speakers in the ST-Line and 14 speakers in the Platinum and ST trims. The Ford Digital Experience was user-friendly, with Google Maps and Google Assistant integration.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-follow assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. The S trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The SX trim included smart cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and highway driving assist.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured Ford CoPilot 360+, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist and other driver assistance systems. The ST-Line and higher trims offered Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, adding a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. BlueCruise performed well in testing, though it occasionally required driver intervention. The NHTSA had not fully rated the 2025 Explorer, but it earned five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.