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Check out our comprehensive review of the 2025 Kia Seltos for details on the cabin, technology, amenities, and safety of this second-generation crossover.
2025 Kia Seltos – kia.com | Shop 2025 Kia Seltos on Carsforsale.com
What is New for the 2025 Kia Seltos?
On sale since 2021, the Kia Seltos enters the 2025 model year with a host of small improvements over the 2024 model like an updated interior featuring nicer materials and finishes. Positioned above the Soul and below the Sportage in Kia’s lineup, all 2025 Seltos’ now come with an auto up/down driver’s window. S trim adds two-tone 17” alloy wheels and in EX or SX guise, the Seltos gains a hands-free tailgate and rear parking sensors.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.5/10
Powertrain
Score
10/8
Interior
Score
8.5/10
Technology
Score
8.5/10
Value
Score
9/10
The Breakdown
Spacious cargo hold
Modern good looks
AWD included on base model
Overly dark cabin g
Lack of a hybrid option
Base model is lightly outfitted
Kia’s signature blend of value in compact form
2025 Kia Seltos Specs
- 146 horsepower from base engine
- 132 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 26.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 62.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- NHTSA 5-star overall rating
- 10.25” central touchscreen
- 10 years of powertrain coverage
2025 Kia Seltos Powertrain 8/10
Kia fits the entry-level 2025 Seltos with a naturally aspirated 2.0L inline-4 making 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a CVT to spin the front wheels. However, the base LX model comes standard with AWD, which is optional on the S and EX variants. It then becomes standard again on the top-level X-Line and SX models.
Those two range-toppers also come with a more powerful 1.6L turbocharged four good for 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with an 8-speed automatic. Every 2025 Seltos comes with a MacPherson strut front suspension. FWD models ride on a torsion beam rear-end design, while the AWD Seltii sport a multi-link rear setup.
Fuel economy is generally solid even without a hybrid option. The base FWD Seltos earns 31 mpg combined, a figure that drops by 2 when AWD is added. With the more potent engine, the combined fuel economy rating comes in at 25 mpg.
2025 Kia Seltos Interior 8.5/10
Though squarely in the compact segment, the 2025 Kia Seltos has a commendable 38.5” of back seat legroom. The cabin is a bit dark with black the only upholstery whether you go with cloth, Syntex, or a blend of the two. All models come with an acoustic laminated windshield and rear air vents, but automatic climate control doesn’t show up until the S model.
Cargo space is a Seltos strong point with a maximum of 63 cubic feet. That’s quite a bit more than the 55 cubic feet a Subaru Crosstrek, which we compare to the Seltos here, offers. Getting back there requires flipping down the 60/40 rear seats or manually raising the tailgate, which has hands-free operation on SX models.
2025 Kia Seltos Technology Features 8.5/10
In base form, the 2025 Kia Seltos comes with an 8” central touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. S models gain a 10.25” display, while the EX and above also feature a fully digital gauge cluster. The Bose 8-speaker audio system is, however, reserved for the top-dog Seltos SX.
Across the board, the 2025 Seltos comes with 8 airbags, forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, and a driver attention monitor. Adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous capability is offered and the NHTSA awarded the latest Seltos five stars in its overall safety category.
2025 Kia Seltos Trims & Pricing
LX – $24,590
The 2025 Seltos LX rides on 17” alloy wheels and features halogen headlights. Interior amenities include black cloth upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a 6-speaker audio system.
S – $25,090
For only an extra $500, S models gain heated side mirrors, roof rails, and available two-tone paint. These value-packed variants also feature a leather-wrapped steering wheel, navigation, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
EX – $26,090
The midpack Seltos EX sports heated front seats, Syntex upholstery, a power-operated driver’s seat, and a wireless phone charging pad.
X-Line – $29,290
Channeling its larger off-road-ish stablemates in name only, the Seltos X-Line looks the part with black 18” wheels and all manner of black accents inside and out. From here on up, the more powerful engine is also standard.
SX – $31,090
The range-topping 2025 Kia Seltos SX is loaded with LED headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and traffic sign recognition. An optional $800 package adds a sunroof, climatized front seats, and digital key tech.
2025 Kia Seltos Overall Value 9/10
The 2025 Kia Seltos in S trim is a killer value at a bit more than $25,000. That puts it thousands below the base Subaru Crosstrek, though in fairness, the Subaru does offer a healthy dose of true off-road capability that the Kia can’t match. But if you’re looking for a comfy daily driver with plenty of modern tech, the Kia is hard to beat. Particularly its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that so few competitors offer.
Carsforsale.com Overall Score 8.5/10
2025 Kia Seltos Exterior – kia.com | Shop 2025 Kia Seltos on Carsforsale.com
It’s hard to find things not to like about the 2025 Seltos other than the lack of a hybrid powertrain. Kia offers plenty of other models as hybrids, so why not turn the Seltos into a hypermiler? Aside from that, the price point is bargain basement, there’s a lot of room inside, and Kia’s warranty is unbeatable. It would be nice if the Seltos could be dressed up on this inside with some more enticing color options, but hey, perhaps that’s the price of, well, pricing greatness. That said, it doesn’t hurt to check out the latest new car incentives for a good deal.
FAQ’s About the 2025 Kia Seltos
Does the Seltos have a hybrid engine?
No, the 2025 Seltos does not offer a hybrid model.
How much cargo space does the Seltos have?
The Seltos has a maximum cargo space of 63 cubic feet.
Is the Seltos AWD?
Kia sells the 2025 Seltos as either FWD or AWD.
