2025 Kia Seltos

2025 is a carry-over year for the facelifted first-generation (SP2) Seltos: the volume LX/S/EX trims use the 2.0L Atkinson four at 146–147 hp, with the 1.6L turbo confined to the X-Line and SX. That sits just below the floor of the SUV band.

The volume 2.0L makes 132 lb-ft high in the rev range, barely above the bottom of the SUV band. The turbo's 195 lb-ft is only on the two top trims.

The 2.0L with the IVT and AWD runs to 60 mph in about 9.6 seconds (8.8 s FWD), slow even for the class; the turbo X-Line/SX is much quicker but not the volume configuration.

The 2.0L is smooth and quiet at cruise but must be revved hard to make progress, where it turns buzzy; response is adequate rather than eager. The 1.6T is markedly more responsive but limited to X-Line and SX.

Kia's IVT simulates eight steps, muting the usual CVT rubber-band feel in town, though hard acceleration still brings drone. The turbo trims' conventional 8-speed automatic shifts cleanly.

Kia publishes no US trailer-weight rating for the Seltos and offers no factory tow package, so it scores as not tow-capable. Overseas ratings do not apply to the US model.

AWD is standard on the 2025 LX, EX, X-Line and SX and optional on the S, so nearly every Seltos sold has it. The system adds a selectable Lock mode and a multi-link rear suspension, which is more than most rivals offer.

7.3 inches of ground clearance, AWD Lock mode and the rugged-styled X-Line trim make it fine for snow and gravel roads, but there is no low range, no locker and no real underbody protection. It is a light-duty, pavement-first crossover.

There are two gas engines, the 2.0L with the IVT and the 1.6T with an 8-speed, but no hybrid, PHEV or EV in the US for 2025. The turbo is limited to the two top trims.

AWD is standard on most 2025 trims, so the 2.0L AWD is the representative configuration at 29 mpg combined. The FWD S reaches 31 and the turbo X-Line/SX drop to 25.

This is the EPA city rating for the 2.0L AWD. With no hybrid assist, city economy is respectable but well short of electrified rivals.

This is the EPA highway rating for the 2.0L AWD. The FWD version does notably better at 34 mpg.

Range is computed from the 13.2-gallon tank and the 29 mpg combined rating. The small tank limits total range despite decent economy.

This is the EPA's published annual fuel cost for the 2.0L AWD at 15,000 mi/yr on regular fuel. It is mid-pack for a non-hybrid subcompact SUV.

Both 2025 powertrains, including the 1.6L turbo, run on 87-octane regular, so there is no premium penalty anywhere in the lineup. With no flex-fuel or plug-in option, it stops short of the top of the band.

NHTSA rates the 2025 Seltos 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal and side and 4 stars rollover (15.1% rollover risk) — the facelifted SP2 structure introduced for 2024.

No IIHS award for 2025: Good in the small overlap front test but only Acceptable in the updated moderate overlap test and Marginal in the updated side test.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (car/pedestrian/cyclist), Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist and Driver Attention Warning are standard on every trim, but blind-spot and rear cross-traffic start at S and adaptive cruise is SX-only.

IIHS rates the standard FCA Poor in the higher-speed vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 test; the Acceptable pedestrian result is the only mitigating factor.

Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (with active braking) are standard from S upward, and SX adds Blind-Spot View Monitor, but the base LX lacks both.

Lane Keeping Assist plus Lane Following Assist centering is standard across the range including LX, generous for the price; reviewers find it holds the lane well with minimal wander.

Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Highway Driving Assist are confined to the top SX; volume LX/S/EX/X-Line buyers get basic cruise, a notable gap versus subcompact rivals that make ACC standard.

No hands-free highway driving system is offered on any 2025 Seltos; Highway Driving Assist is hands-on only.

The halogen projectors on the volume LX/S/EX/X-Line trims are rated Poor by IIHS; only the SX's LED projectors reach Acceptable, and no configuration earns Good. Standard High Beam Assist helps slightly.

Upright, boxy greenhouse with tall side glass and a squared-off hatch gives above-average sightlines for the class; rear camera standard, rear parking sensors on EX/SX, Surround View and Blind-Spot View Monitor on SX.

IIHS rates LATCH ease of use Acceptable — two outboard LATCH sets plus a center tether with anchors that take some digging; the rear seat is roomy for a subcompact but not three-across wide.

Two-row, five-seat subcompact SUV; no larger configuration offered.

Upright, boxy greenhouse gives generous front headroom for the class; the available sunroof costs 1.5 in.

Front legroom is adequate but below larger compact SUVs.

Tall roofline yields rear headroom on par with compact SUVs a class above.

38 in of rear legroom is among the best in the subcompact segment.

Two-row SUV with no third row offered on any trim.

Strong for a subcompact (beats Kona/Trax-class rivals) but low against the SUV-wide band.

Competitive for a subcompact, small against the full SUV band.

Two-level adjustable cargo floor with underfloor tray, cargo cover and 60/40 fold-down seats; console and door bins are ordinary, with no standout innovations.

Supportive front seats and a rear bench with good leg and head room; 10-way power driver seat with lumbar only on upper trims, cloth manual seats on LX/S.

Firm suspension stays composed but transmits sharp bumps, and some testers found it jumpy on broken backroads.

Reviewers split: some call the cabin solid and quiet, others note road noise and engine drone from the 2.0L IVT when pushed — about average for subcompact SUVs.

Heated front seats and dual-zone climate on upper trims; ventilated seats and heated wheel limited to SX; no rear heated seats; remote climate start via Kia Connect.

For 2025 the entry Seltos is the LX, sold only with AWD (the front-drive LX did not arrive until 2026), at $24,690 before destination — still among the cheapest AWD SUVs on sale in the US.

The S AWD is the expected volume configuration — it adds blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts over the LX for a small premium — at $26,690 plus $1,395 destination. The trim-mix assumption is our estimate, hence MEDIUM.

Industry estimates put Seltos maintenance around $520/yr over the first five years (~$2,600), plus roughly $1,600 in typical wear and unscheduled repair; the 5yr/60k basic warranty covers most component failures inside the window, and the volume 2.0L NA engine is simple and inexpensive to service.

Residual projections for the first-generation Seltos cluster near 48% (CarEdge, KBB) with iSeeCars higher at ~56%; we blend to ~50%, at or slightly below the subcompact-SUV norm, as Kia residuals still trail Toyota/Honda/Subaru.

Kia's 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty applies to the 2025 Seltos — two years longer than the 3yr/36k mainstream norm.

The 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty leads the mainstream field; it applies to the original owner, with a 5yr/60k term for subsequent owners.

No complimentary scheduled maintenance on the 2025 Seltos, unlike ToyotaCare (2yr/25k) or Hyundai's 3yr/36k plan; buyers do get an unusually long 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan and a Kia Connect trial, putting it in the 'basic roadside only' band.

$28,085 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (50% retained, or about $14,043) leaves about $14,043 in depreciation. Add the projected $4,200 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $18,243 in total.

Both major sources are positive for the 2025 model year: J.D. Power rates its quality and reliability 'Great' and Consumer Reports' reliability page rates the 2025 Seltos above average for its model year. That sits in the upper part of the average band rather than in top-tier territory, because the generation's 2.0L engine recall still weighs on long-run predictions.

Kia has been an upper-middle brand in the dependability studies for several years and was still climbing in 2025. It ranked just outside the top ten that year, so it is not a consistent top-5 brand.

NHTSA lists no recall that covers the 2025 model year. The generation's record is still heavy, though: an engine recall with fire risk whose remedy is under federal audit, an airbag recall and an oil-pump-controller recall on 2023–2024 cars. That puts it in the lower half of the average band.

The record is mixed. The volume 2.0L MPI with IVT comes from the engine family behind the 2021–2023 oil-ring failures, although 2025 production falls after the affected build window. The 1.6T's switch in 2024 from the trouble-prone 7-speed DCT to an 8-speed torque-converter automatic lowers the risk on the turbo trim.

The cabin matches its roughly $25k price. Hard plastics cover the dash top, door panels and lower console, and only the mid-dash is soft-touch. The plastics are well grained, and upper trims add synthetic leather and ambient lighting.

Assembly is a relative strength. Reviewers note tight panel gaps and a solid feel, and J.D. Power's quality score, which counts owner-reported defects, is strong for the class.

Kia has about 800 US dealers, which gives nationwide coverage. Service satisfaction is about average for mass-market brands, and J.D. Power rates the Seltos dealership experience 'Average'.

Parts are high-volume, shared with Hyundai's small crossovers, and routine maintenance is cheap. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty covers the expensive failures for first owners. The aftermarket is less deep than Toyota's or Honda's.

Volume LX/S trims use the 8-in unit; the 10.25-in navigation screen arrives from EX up.

Kia's interface is quick and logically laid out, and the 8-in unit keeps physical shortcut buttons; reviewers rate it among the easier systems in the class.

CarPlay/Android Auto standard on every trim; wireless on the 8-in base unit, while sources report the 10.25-in navigation unit is wired-only — sources conflict, hence medium confidence.

Native navigation and Kia Connect cloud voice on EX and up; base trims rely on phone projection.

Basic six-speaker audio on most trims; an 8-speaker Bose system with mood lighting is available on the top trim.

Full 10.25-in digital cluster on EX and up; LX/S use analog gauges with a 4.2-in TFT.

Navigation/map and infotainment updates on the connected 10.25-in unit; no whole-vehicle OTA program on this generation.

Kia Connect app offers remote lock/unlock, remote start with climate, and vehicle locate on connected trims; digital key sharing limited to the SX.

USB ports front and rear and a wireless charging pad on higher trims; no household outlet.

Smart key with push-button start and Smart Power Liftgate on EX AWD and up; remote start via the app; base trims use a conventional key fob.

Rear camera standard, rear parking sensors on EX/SX, and Surround View plus Blind-Spot View Monitor only on SX.

No head-up display offered on any 2025 Seltos trim.

Tall, square doors and 38 in of rear legroom make rear-facing seats workable, and the cargo hold swallows a stroller; LATCH only rated Acceptable.

NHTSA 5-star overall and standard FCA/LKA, but IIHS updated side test Marginal, vehicle-to-vehicle AEB Poor, halogen headlights Poor on most trims, and blind-spot warning absent on base LX.

Roomy rear seat and class-leading cargo for four on a trip, but firm ride, engine drone and thin rear amenities limit long-haul comfort.

Compact, light-steering and easy to see out of; the 2.0L IVT is smooth in traffic though slow from a stop.

Regular fuel and 29–31 mpg combined on the 2.0L make it cheap to commute in for an AWD-capable crossover.

Short footprint, tight ~34.8-ft turning circle and good glass make it easy in the city; sensors and 360 camera reserved for upper trims.

No US tow rating and only subcompact cargo space; not a work vehicle.

Simple naturally aspirated 2.0L and long warranty, but a light-duty commuter crossover with no fleet or hard-use reputation.

Cargo tie-downs, adjustable floor and roof rails on some trims; no onboard power or work upfit ecosystem.

About 380 miles of range and decent seats, but firm ride, engine drone and Highway Driving Assist only on SX limit it as a mile-eater.

AWD with center-lock mode on most trims and 7.3 in clearance handle gravel and snow, plus the X-Line trim adds styling, but no towing for toys.

60/40 split rear seat, two-level floor and roof rails make it flexible for a subcompact; no hitch option limits bike/cargo carriers.

Secure and responsive with a well-tuned stability system, though body roll is noticeable when pushed.

Light and accurate enough for city driving, but offers little feedback.

Reviewers describe strong, predictable brakes; no published 2025 instrumented stop distance found.

The volume 2.0L IVT is smooth with simulated shifts but slow from a stop (≈9.6 s 0–60 AWD); the 1.6T/8AT on X-Line and SX is much livelier.

The 2.0L drones coarsely under load through the IVT; acceptable at cruise.

Very tight turning circle for an SUV.

Upright seating, big windows and physical climate controls give an easy, commanding position; power adjustment only on upper trims.

Pleasant and nimble but the volume 2.0L makes it an appliance; the 195-hp turbo trims add genuine zest.

The 2025 LX comes standard with AWD at $26,085 delivered — rare in the class — plus an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a broad standard driver-assist suite (AEB with pedestrian/cyclist detection, lane-keeping and lane-following assist, driver attention warning). Heated seats, the 10.25-inch nav screen, digital cluster and wireless charging wait for EX and above, so it is competitive rather than loaded.

Strong content-for-price: standard AWD at about $26k, a 195-hp 1.6L turbo available on X-Line/SX that out-muscles most single-engine rivals, and the segment's longest powertrain warranty. KBB names it a multi-year Best Buy winner on space, equipment and safety for the money.

Five trims (LX, S, EX, X-Line, SX) in seven configurations spanning about $6,500, with FWD or AWD on S and EX and two engines; the X-Line gives a cheaper route to the turbo than the SX. The gap is that LX is AWD-only and the turbo is still tied to the two top trims.

A steady mid-pack seller: about 60,000 US units in 2024 and roughly 56,800 in 2025, well behind volume subcompacts like the Trax, Crosstrek and HR-V, with a gently declining trajectory late in the generation.

Kia's image has risen sharply on the back of the Telluride, EV9 and Sportage and record US sales, comfortably above the segment's weakest badges, but it still trails Toyota, Honda and Subaru on resale reputation.

Kia routinely backs the Seltos with modest cash-back, subsidized APR and lease offers, and 2025 inventory carried extra discounting once the 2026 arrived; not desperation pricing, but real buyer-side room to negotiate.

2025 is the fifth US model year of the first-generation Seltos (launched for 2021) but only one year past the 2024 facelift, which brought the refreshed styling, the 195-hp turbo and the larger screens. Current but not cutting-edge, with the redesigned second generation unveiled in December 2025.

Well-regarded without being the benchmark: KBB gives it a 4.7 expert rating, ranks it among the best 2-row SUVs and has repeatedly named it a Best Buy, while Edmunds is cooler at 6.4/10 over the base engine and ride. No 10Best or NACTOY-level award and rarely an outright comparison winner.