DecodedCars2026 Kia Seltos
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- AWD 4dr SUV, AWD Turbo 4dr SUV, FWD 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 27 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 172 in
- Curb weight
- 2,893–3,318 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
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).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (27 city / 31 highway), 12% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2026
- Best combined MPG down from 31 to 29
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Seltos →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Gwang-Ju, Gyeonggi Province
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2026 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 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 31 / 29 | +12% | $2,300 | 309 |
| Seltos AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 27 / 25 | -3% | $2,700 | 350 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Kia Seltos.
Similar 2026 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kia Seltos (this car) | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Ford Escape | 40 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Jeep Compass | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona | 31 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2026 Kia Seltos.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2026 Kia Seltos is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Seltos years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Seltos | 30 | – | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 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 |
| 2021 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 377 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →