The Kia Seltos has been a small SUV favorite since its introduction in 2019, nevertheless it gained’t be lengthy earlier than this technology is moved alongside.
It has been up to date in its nearly seven-year life cycle, however the first-generation Seltos is visibly one of many oldest fashions in Kia’s lineup, with the Korean model’s newest hybrids and electrical autos (EVs) firmly pushing it into the background.
That may quickly change although, as Kia is gearing up for the world reveal of the next-gen Seltos in just some weeks. Notably, it’s anticipated to deliver hybrid energy and a brand new EV-inspired front-end design, as evidenced by prototypes noticed in circulation since early 2025.
The brand new mannequin will doubtless arrive in Australia someday in 2026, and till then the unique compact SUV will proceed to be accessible, together with variants just like the one you see on take a look at right here: the 2026 Kia Seltos S.
It’s the entry-level model and it’s in style amongst not solely personal patrons but additionally companies, which accounted for one-fifth of Seltos gross sales to date in 2025.
General, the Seltos continues to carry out respectably inside Australia’s small SUV section, posting middle-of-the-road gross sales figures alongside cheaper and extra trendy rivals.
Run-out offers might quickly deliver financial savings for patrons of the unique Seltos, so is that this the one you need to go for?
How a lot does the Kia Seltos price?
The S opens the Seltos vary at $31,250 earlier than on-road prices.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Kia Seltos S FWD | $31,250 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos Sport FWD | $34,450 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos Sport+ FWD | $37,550 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD | $41,070 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos GT-Line FWD | $43,250 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos GT-Line AWD | $46,670 |
Australia’s small SUV section is densely populated, and there are a good few rivals for the Seltos. This contains base-spec variants of fashions just like the MG ZS, Chery Tiggo 4, GWM Haval Jolion, Honda HR-V, and Mazda CX-30.
The three Chinese language rivals (ZS, Tiggo 4, and Jolion) all begin under $27,000 drive-away, with the Chery the most cost effective at $23,990 drive-away. The Japanese opponents, in the meantime, are costlier.
Honda’s entry-level HR-V X is priced at $34,900 drive-away, whereas the CX-30 G20 Pure prices $34,060 earlier than on-roads.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
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What’s the Kia Seltos like on the within?
Very primary, and adorned with solely the best of onerous plastics.
Sure, it could be unreasonable to count on lavish appointments in a automotive like the bottom Seltos – which nonetheless requires you to show a key to begin it – however some softer cabin surfaces wouldn’t go amiss. Locations just like the door armrests are very elbow-unfriendly, with no padding in any way.
Equally, it’s fitted with a plastic-clad steering wheel. It doesn’t really feel notably nice to carry and contributes to the widely low cost vibe of the cabin, however once more it isn’t essentially misplaced.
If nothing else, every part within the cabin is completely purposeful, making it straightforward to hop in and get settled when you’re coming from another automotive. It gained’t really feel such as you’re stepping again into the Darkish Ages both, as there’s nonetheless some first rate tech to utilize.
In the course of the dashboard you’ll discover an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen. It seems small by right this moment’s requirements however nonetheless provides wi-fi cellphone connectivity, which we used with Apple CarPlay and located to be dependable throughout our week with the automotive.
The identical might be mentioned for the display screen itself and its native infotainment system basically. Dated because the graphics are, the shortage of the a number of in-depth menus present in newer Kias makes the system super-easy to grasp and function – and there are a handful of shortcut buttons on both aspect to simplify issues additional.
Kia has discovered a method to strip issues again much more for the instrument cluster, which is about so simple as a digital unit will get nowadays. Then once more, the one actually digital a part of this show is the 4.2-inch panel within the center, which reveals driver-assist and trip-computer info.
It’s flanked by merely offered speedo and tacho shows, whereas varied different icons and gauges are scattered round elsewhere. Once more, it’s not notably flashy, however the no-frills method lends itself to easy performance.
We like that there’s nonetheless a primary local weather management setup with solely three bodily dials and two buttons. It doesn’t get a lot simpler to make use of than this, although it’s a reminder that this iteration of the Seltos is now getting fairly outdated.
As for consolation and practicality, the Seltos can also be first rate. The material-appointed seat trim has old-school patterns that hark again to Korean automobiles from 20-odd years in the past, and the seats themselves are moderately comfy.
Handbook adjustment is expectedly customary, nevertheless it’s nonetheless straightforward sufficient to get into a superb driving place. The one issues that detract from seating consolation are these onerous plastic armrests, however you’ll nonetheless discover the automotive’s ergonomics are moderately good.
In any other case, there are small bottle holders within the doorways, a slim centre console with a guide handbrake and two cupholders, plus a barebones storage field underneath the center armrest. Cellphone-oriented facilities are restricted to a 12V outlet, USB-A and USB-C ports forward of the gear selector, and you’ll nearly suit your cellphone within the cubby under.
The rear seats are usable, although the automotive’s compact physique doesn’t provide a lot area. Two adults will nonetheless match okay within the rear, however you gained’t wish to go three abreast – particularly given there’s a sizeable driveline hump within the center.
There are two air vents on the again of the centre console, together with two USB-C ports and a wierd cut-out for storing smaller objects. It’s a really primary area, with out even a fold-down armrest, nevertheless it’s marginally extra sensible than rivals just like the CX-30, which doesn’t have any USB connectivity for second-row occupants.
The boot, in the meantime, is pretty beneficiant. In comparison with the CX-30’s quoted 317-litre capability, the Seltos’s 468L area seems and feels rather more usable.
The squared-off rear-end gives loads of vertical cargo capability, and the huge, sq. boot ground provides ample baggage area. There’s solely a small drop from the load lip, and with a few cargo hooks you’ll have the ability to make it give you the results you want.
Higher but, there’s a space-saver spare wheel underneath the ground, even when it appears like Kia might have shoehorned in a full-size wheel as an alternative.
| Dimensions | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Size | 4385mm |
| Width | 1800mm |
| Peak | 1630mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630mm |
| Cargo capability | 468L (rear seats up) 1428L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Being a front-wheel drive Seltos variant, the S is powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with 110kW of energy and 180Nm of torque. Drive is distributed by way of a repeatedly variable computerized transmission (CVT).
| Specs | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L naturally aspirated 4cyl petrol |
| Energy | 110kW |
| Torque | 180Nm |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Drive sort | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 1310kg |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 6.9L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 6.0L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 50L |
| Gasoline requirement | 91-octane common unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 157g/km |
| Emissions customary | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capability | 1100kg |
There are two all-wheel drive variations of the Seltos accessible, which improve to a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with 146kW and 265Nm. These fashions substitute the CVT with an eight-speed torque converter computerized.
Our week with the automotive primarily concerned freeway driving, which is why our comparatively frugal gas consumption studying was under Kia’s official declare. There was nonetheless some inner-town errand-running together with low-speed driving, nevertheless, making the determine fairly acceptable within the absence of a hybrid system.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
How does the Kia Seltos drive?
The Seltos S is a fleet-spec automobile, so there’s no shock it doesn’t do something notably outstanding.
That’s not a dig at Kia both, as a result of this base Seltos isn’t a foul automotive to drive in any respect. For one, we have been impressed by its well-sorted experience and dealing with setup, which supply better consolation, composure and maturity than ought to moderately be anticipated from an SUV at this finish of the market.
It handles bumps confidently and compliantly, exhibiting off a persistently sure-footed manner, due to well-tuned suspension and the chunkier rubber and comparatively small alloy wheels of the S working collectively to soak issues up with ease.
Equally, these thicker sidewalls are good at maintaining highway noise down, even when they make the automotive look just a little under-tyred. It’s subsequently acceptably quiet inside, although there’s already a powerful baseline for cabin insulation given the muted inside wind noise too.
Dealing with can also be higher than we anticipated. We wouldn’t name the Seltos S sporty, nevertheless it’s extra competent at taking turns than you may realise, and it’s straightforward to drive because of this.
Supporting that’s steering that feels comparatively heavy whereas providing first rate suggestions. It makes the automotive really feel substantial and a bit prefer it has old-school hydraulic energy steering (even whether it is electrical), supplying you with one thing to do as an alternative of throwing round a limp tiller.
These points of the Seltos are all strong, nevertheless it’s the engine the place a few of these fleet vibes are most obvious. The two.0-litre ticker in front-wheel drive variants like this one is pretty wheezy, and whereas it’s highly effective for many intents and functions, it’s not notably sonorous.
The identical might be mentioned for the CVT, which is once more competent however unremarkable. Sensibility is a phrase that involves thoughts for the Seltos S; it’s right here to function a easy A to B runabout, and it’s commendable that Kia hasn’t gone out of its method to overdo something.
Granted, all of that basically solely applies to the bottom S examined right here, because the top-spec GT-Line is much extra glitzy. So it could possibly be argued that the most cost effective Seltos is just a little underwhelming, and it actually lacks the ultimate layer of polish seen on rivals just like the Toyota Corolla Cross.
That is largely evident in its security gear. For one, the Hyundai Motor Group’s incessant pace restrict warning continues to be current, however as a result of this isn’t among the many newest batch of Hyundai and Kia merchandise, the Seltos lacks the useful button shortcut to rapidly disable it.
Meaning you’ll must dive into the menus to disable the audible warning each time you drive the automotive, however at the least you are able to do it whereas on the transfer. It’s a small but annoying flashback when you’ve pushed nearly another new Kia.
Our different important gripe is with the automotive’s passive lane-keep system, which is overreactive. It’ll usually pipe up even when you’re nowhere close to crossing into the following lane, and it’s particularly obnoxious on rural roads the place lane markings are sometimes inconsistent.
Moreover, there’s no adaptive cruise management for Seltos variants under the Sport+, solely a standard, barebones system. No less than which means it’s dependable.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
What do you get?
The S is the muse of the four-grade Kia Seltos vary.
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2026 Kia Seltos S tools highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Spare-saver spare wheel
- Computerized halogen headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- Halogen daytime operating lights
- Rear fog mild
- Matte black grille mesh
- Physique-coloured door handles
- Physique-coloured, power-folding aspect mirrors
- Roof rails
- Rear spoiler
- Shark fin antenna
- Fabric upholstery
- Six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster display screen
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker sound system
- 12V energy outlet in entrance console
- USB-A and USB-C retailers in entrance console
- Two USB-C retailers behind centre console
- Handbook air-conditioning
- Second-row air vents
- Handbook handbrake
- Folding key
Seltos Sport provides:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size spare wheel
- Windscreen and entrance door Photo voltaic Glass
- Halogen (projector-style) entrance fog lights
- Premium steering wheel
- Premium gear shifter
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Sounds of Nature
- Kia Join (seven-year complimentary service)
- Local weather management
- Driver window one-touch up and down
Seltos Sport+ provides:
- Heated aspect mirrors
- Privateness glass
- Proximity entry and push-button begin
- AEB bicycle owner avoidance and junction turning help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Electrical park brake with auto-hold
- Fabric and synthetic leather-based upholstery
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- LED inside lights
- Illuminated vainness mirrors
- Entrance centre console armrest sliding operate
- Rear centre armrest
Seltos GT-Line provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- LED daytime operating lights
- LED entrance fog lights
- LED positioning lights
- LED rear mixture tail-lights
- Premium Gloss Black grille mesh
- Satin silver belt line
- Tilt and slide sunroof (not accessible with two-tone paint)
- Energy tailgate
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Premium synthetic leather-based upholstery
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- 10-way energy driver’s seat with two-way energy lumbar assist and two-position reminiscence
- Eight-way energy entrance passenger seat
- Head-up show
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Eight-speaker Bose premium sound system
- Heated, flat-bottom steering wheel
- Inside ambient lighting
- Parcel shelf
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
Is the Kia Seltos protected?
On the time of writing, the Kia Seltos boasts a five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on testing carried out in 2019. This may expire by 2026.
| Class | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 83 per cent |
| Weak highway person safety | 61 per cent |
| Security help | 70 per cent |
Commonplace security tools highlights:
- 6 airbags, incl:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver consideration monitor
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Clever Pace Restrict Help
- Lane Following Help (lane centring)
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear-view digital camera
- Protected exit warning
- Tyre-pressure monitoring system
Sport+ and GT-Line grades obtain AEB with bicycle owner avoidance and junction help, in addition to adaptive cruise management and a useful lead-vehicle departure alert.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
How a lot does the Kia Seltos price to run?
The Kia Seltos is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | Service-activated (as much as 8 years) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Common annual service price over 7 years | $438.9 |
| Complete capped-price service price | $3072 |
Particular person capped-price service prices for two.0-litre Kia Seltos autos are as follows:
| Service | Worth |
|---|---|
| 12 months, 15,000km | $292 |
| 24 months, 30,000km | $498 |
| 36 months, 45,000km | $357 |
| 48 months, 60,000km | $618 |
| 60 months, 75,000km | $329 |
| 72 months, 90,000km | $629 |
| 84 months, 105,000km | $349 |
For context, a base Mazda CX-30 prices $3237 to service over seven years, averaging $462.43 per service annually, whereas a petroleum GWM Haval Jolion will price you simply $1840 to service over 5 years, averaging $368.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Seltos
The Seltos continues to justify its standing as a protected selection within the small SUV world.
Though it now looks as if a relic within the context of Kia’s trendy lineup, we admire its bodily controls and lack of pointless tech gimmicks. All the pieces is fitted for a cause, and it’s a very simple automotive simply to get in and drive – so it’s no shock that almost half of all Seltos autos offered in October 2025 went to enterprise patrons.
The extra apparent fleet vibe on the entry degree means the Seltos S in all probability isn’t the most effective decide for a household wagon, as is the case with most different base-spec rivals. As an alternative, we’d advocate stepping up one mannequin grade to the Sport.
The identical mechanical setup carries over, nevertheless it provides bigger screens and nicer supplies, making it extra personable – and it simply seems nicer with bigger wheels. Weirdly, based on Kia’s spec sheet it solely has wired Apple CarPlay, nevertheless it’s nonetheless logically a superb purchase with out spending GT-Line cash.
And when you don’t want the newest and biggest tech, you could possibly rating an awesome run-out deal on an outgoing Sport when the all-new Seltos attracts nearer.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Kia Seltos. Click on right here to get an awesome deal.
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