Kia Seltos vs Lexus TX

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of trim levels tailored to different powertrains, including the TX 350, 500h hybrid, and 550h+ plug-in hybrid. The 550h+ stood out with its standard panoramic glass roof and striking Matador Red Mica paint. Most models featured 20-inch wheels, but the 550h+ boasted 22-inch wheels that filled the wheel wells impressively. The design retained the large spindle grille, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting that spanned the vehicle's width. Inside, the TX provided two interior color options, with the PHEV adding a dark brown called Peppercorn. Ambient lighting and suede trim added warmth, but the overall material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics present. The redesigned door handles, which reacted to pressure rather than pulling out, were a unique touch, though some might have preferred more attention to cabin detail.

The 2027 Kia Seltos, available in LX, S, EX, X-Line S, and X-Line SX trims, offered a stylish and practical design. The X-Line SX, with its turbocharged engine and AWD, was the top-tier model, featuring a Prestige Package with advanced features like a Harman Kardon sound system and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos' styling drew inspiration from the Kia EV9 and Telluride, resulting in a compact SUV that looked technical and tough. Inside, the Seltos continued the theme with a panoramic display screen, intuitive controls, and quality materials. The Saturn Black interior, though dark, was complemented by thoughtful features like a wireless smartphone charger and a smart hands-free power liftgate. The Seltos excelled in urban environments, offering easy maneuverability and impressive outward visibility.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of powertrains, with the base model producing 317 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The 550h+ plug-in hybrid, however, delivered an impressive 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. The onboard seven-kilowatt charger allowed for a full battery charge in under three hours. The TX provided various drive options, including electric-only, hybrid, and gasoline-only modes, along with Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom drive modes. The 550h+ offered a quiet and smooth ride, with a capable AWD system that could distribute power between the front and rear wheels. The suspension handled bumps and potholes with ease, making it an ideal choice for long road trips.

The 2027 Kia Seltos featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT for most trims, producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The X-Line SX, however, introduced a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system. The Seltos offered a satisfying driving experience, with a fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in combined city and highway driving. While the powertrain could feel lazy in Normal mode, switching to Sport mode improved responsiveness. The Seltos excelled in urban environments, with its compact size and impressive visibility making it easy to park and maneuver.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ provided standard luxury features, including multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support, while the climate controls were mostly on the screen, with physical dials for temperature adjustment. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. All TX models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2027 Kia Seltos impressed with its interior space, accommodating four large adults comfortably. The cargo area was practical, offering up to 27.8 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Seltos featured heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and thoughtful storage solutions. The Prestige Package added a "relaxation seat" mode for the driver and a smart hands-free power liftgate. The Seltos' interior was well-equipped, with rear air conditioning vents, dual USB charging ports, and a center armrest with cupholders.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch color touchscreen, though some features lacked polish, such as the inability to manually input satellite radio stations. The steering wheel controls were multi-functional but confusing, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto sometimes conflicted with the native audio system. The TX offered a clear back-up camera with an available bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system for automated parking. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, the TX ensured devices stayed charged.

The 2027 Kia Seltos boasted a panoramic display with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The Seltos featured a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert and a hands-on-detection steering wheel for lane-centering assist. The Prestige Package added a camera-based blind-spot monitor and a surround-view camera system, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2026 Lexus TX came standard with Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and Proactive Driving Assist. The TX 350 and 500h earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA, while the IIHS gave the TX an "Acceptable" rating for the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side and a "Good" rating for the passenger’s side.

The 2027 Kia Seltos offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Prestige Package added a camera-based blind-spot monitor and a surround-view camera system. At the time of writing, the NHTSA and IIHS had not published safety ratings for the 2027 Seltos.