DecodedCars2021 Kia Seltos
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- AWD 4dr SUV, AWD Turbo 4dr SUV, FWD 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 147–175 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 31 combined · 29 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 172 in
- Curb weight
- 2,893–3,318 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2021 small SUV (26.4 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Kia Seltos is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive 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).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (29 city / 34 highway), 17% better than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 377 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Gwang-Ju, South Korea
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Seltos configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWD 4dr SUV | 172 in | 70.9 in | 63.8 in | 103.5 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,186 lb | 59/41 |
| AWD Turbo 4dr SUV | 172 in | 70.9 in | 63.8 in | 103.5 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,318 lb | 59/41 |
| FWD 4dr SUV | 172 in | 70.9 in | 63.8 in | 103.5 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 2,893 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seltos FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 34 / 31 | +17% | $2,150 | 285 |
| Seltos AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 31 / 29 | +21% | $2,300 | 314 |
| Seltos AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 30 / 27 | +13% | $2,500 | 331 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia SELTOS SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
| 2021 Kia SELTOS SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.1% |
Similar 2021 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Seltos (this car) | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime | 38 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 Honda CR-V | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2021 Ford Bronco | 21 MPG | Not rated | 20 |
| 2021 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · Feb 17, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V099000 · 137,256 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
- Risk
- Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
Engine · Apr 13, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V259000 · 147,249 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
- Risk
- A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
Not every 2021 Kia Seltos is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Kia Seltos buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 231 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 67 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 45 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 42,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Kia Seltos. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Seltos years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Seltos | 30 | – | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2026 Seltos | 29 | 172 in | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 13 |
| 2024 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 47 |
| 2023 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 47 |
| 2022 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 76 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →