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Ford Bronco vs Kia Seltos

2026 Ford Bronco vs 2026 Kia Seltos — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Ford Bronco

2026 Ford Bronco

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS0 – 6Kia Seltos wins 6 of 6 categories
Kia Seltos

2026 Kia Seltos

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Kia Seltos is more fuel-efficient: 29 vs 20 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,050 a year less in fuel for the Kia Seltos (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Kia Seltos is the bigger car, about 7 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Kia Seltos has had fewer recall campaigns (4 vs 50).

The two cars

The 2026 Ford Bronco is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.7L 6-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 165 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,288 lb (2dr 2.3l SUV).

The 2026 Kia Seltos is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive. It measures about 172 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,186 lb (AWD 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Bronco and the 2023 Seltos have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2021 Seltos.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

20 MPG
Best combined MPG
29 MPG
19 city
City / highway MPG (best)
27 city
$3,350
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,300

Performance & space

165 in
Length
172 in
79.5 in
Width
70.9 in
72 in
Height
63.8 in
4,288 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
2,893 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
13
9
Recalls (2026)
0
50
Recalls, all years since 2005
4
11
Owner complaints (latest year)
4

Interest

26,704
Wikipedia views, 30 days
19,599

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2023
–
Year to avoid
2021

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Ford Bronco if…

  • You want something easier to park (7 in shorter)

Choose the Kia Seltos if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (29 vs 20 MPG)
  • You want more room (7 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (4 vs 50 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Ford Bronco

  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 20 MPG combined, 23% below the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG.
  • 9 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

2026 Kia Seltos

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Ford Bronco specs →Full 2026 Kia Seltos specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →