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The Kia Seltos has been a small SUV favorite since its introduction in 2019, nevertheless it received’t be lengthy earlier than this era is moved alongside.
It has been up to date in its nearly seven-year life cycle, however the first-generation Seltos is visibly one of many oldest fashions in Kia’s lineup, with the Korean model’s newest hybrids and electrical autos (EVs) firmly pushing it into the background.
That will quickly change although, as Kia is gearing up for the worldwide reveal of the next-gen Seltos in only a few weeks. Notably, it’s anticipated to carry hybrid energy and a brand new EV-inspired front-end design, as evidenced by prototypes noticed in circulation since early 2025.
The new mannequin will seemingly arrive in Australia someday in 2026, and till then the unique compact SUV will proceed to be accessible, together with variants just like the one you see on take a look at right here: the 2026 Kia Seltos S.
It’s the entry-level model and it’s common amongst not solely non-public consumers but in addition companies, which accounted for one-fifth of Seltos gross sales up to now in 2025.
Overall, the Seltos continues to carry out respectably inside Australia’s small SUV section, posting middle-of-the-road gross sales figures alongside cheaper and extra fashionable rivals.
Run-out offers may quickly carry financial savings for consumers of the unique Seltos, so is that this the one you must go for?
How a lot does the Kia Seltos price?
The S opens the Seltos vary at $31,250 earlier than on-road prices.
| Model | Price earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Kia Seltos S FWD | $31,250 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos Sport FWD | $34,450 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos Sport+ FWD | $37,550 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD | $41,070 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos GT-Line FWD | $43,250 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos GT-Line AWD | $46,670 |
Australia’s small SUV section is densely populated, and there are a good few rivals for the Seltos. This consists of base-spec variants of fashions just like the MG ZS, Chery Tiggo 4, GWM Haval Jolion, Honda HR-V, and Mazda CX-30.
The three Chinese rivals (ZS, Tiggo 4, and Jolion) all begin beneath $27,000 drive-away, with the Chery the most cost effective at $23,990 drive-away. The Japanese rivals, in the meantime, are costlier.
Honda’s entry-level HR-V X is priced at $34,900 drive-away, whereas the CX-30 G20 Pure prices $34,060 earlier than on-roads.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
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What is the Kia Seltos like on the within?
Very primary, and adorned with solely the best of onerous plastics.
Yes, it will be unreasonable to anticipate lavish appointments in a automobile like the bottom Seltos – which nonetheless requires you to show a key to begin it – however some softer cabin surfaces wouldn’t go amiss. Places just like the door armrests are very elbow-unfriendly, with no padding by any means.
Similarly, it’s fitted with a plastic-clad steering wheel. It doesn’t really feel significantly nice to carry and contributes to the widely low cost vibe of the cabin, however once more it isn’t essentially misplaced.
If nothing else, all the things within the cabin is completely useful, making it simple to hop in and get settled in case you’re coming from every other automobile. It received’t really feel such as you’re stepping again into the Dark Ages both, as there’s nonetheless some first rate tech to utilize.
In the center of the dashboard you’ll discover an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen. It seems to be small by at this time’s requirements however nonetheless provides wi-fi cellphone connectivity, which we used with Apple CarPlay and located to be dependable throughout our week with the automobile.
The identical might be stated for the display itself and its native infotainment system generally. Dated because the graphics are, the shortage of the a number of in-depth menus present in newer Kias makes the system super-easy to know and function – and there are a handful of shortcut buttons on both facet to simplify issues additional.
Kia has discovered a method to strip issues again much more for the instrument cluster, which is about so simple as a digital unit will get nowadays. Then once more, the one actually digital a part of this show is the 4.2-inch panel within the center, which reveals driver-assist and trip-computer info.
It’s flanked by merely offered speedo and tacho shows, whereas numerous different icons and gauges are scattered round elsewhere. Again, it’s not significantly flashy, however the no-frills method lends itself to easy performance.
We like that there’s nonetheless a primary local weather management setup with solely three bodily dials and two buttons. It doesn’t get a lot simpler to make use of than this, although it’s a reminder that this iteration of the Seltos is now getting fairly previous.
As for consolation and practicality, the Seltos can also be first rate. The cloth-appointed seat trim has old-school patterns that hark again to Korean automobiles from 20-odd years in the past, and the seats themselves are moderately snug.
Manual adjustment is expectedly normal, nevertheless it’s nonetheless simple sufficient to get into a great driving place. The solely issues that detract from seating consolation are these onerous plastic armrests, however you’ll nonetheless discover the automobile’s ergonomics are moderately good.
Otherwise, there are small bottle holders within the doorways, a slender centre console with a handbook handbrake and two cupholders, plus a barebones storage field below the center armrest. Phone-oriented facilities are restricted to a 12V outlet, USB-A and USB-C ports forward of the gear selector, and you’ll nearly suit your cellphone within the cubby beneath.
The rear seats are usable, although the automobile’s compact physique doesn’t supply a lot house. Two adults will nonetheless match okay within the rear, however you received’t need to go three abreast – particularly given there’s a sizeable driveline hump within the center.
There are two air vents on the again of the centre console, together with two USB-C ports and a wierd cut-out for storing smaller objects. It’s a really primary house, with out even a fold-down armrest, nevertheless it’s marginally extra sensible than rivals just like the CX-30, which doesn’t have any USB connectivity for second-row occupants.
The boot, in the meantime, is pretty beneficiant. Compared to the CX-30’s quoted 317-litre capability, the Seltos’s 468L house seems to be and feels rather more usable.
The squared-off rear-end offers loads of vertical cargo capability, and the vast, sq. boot ground provides ample baggage house. There’s solely a small drop from the load lip, and with a few cargo hooks you’ll be capable to make it give you the results you want.
Better but, there’s a space-saver spare wheel below the ground, even when it looks like Kia may have shoehorned in a full-size wheel as an alternative.
| Dimensions | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Length | 4385mm |
| Width | 1800mm |
| Height | 1630mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630mm |
| Cargo capability | 468L (rear seats up) 1428L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
What’s below the bonnet?
Being a front-wheel drive Seltos variant, the S is powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with 110kW of energy and 180Nm of torque. Drive is distributed by a repeatedly variable automated transmission (CVT).
| Specifications | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L naturally aspirated 4cyl petrol |
| Power | 110kW |
| Torque | 180Nm |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Drive sort | Front-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 1310kg |
| Fuel economic system (claimed) | 6.9L/100km |
| Fuel economic system (as examined) | 6.0L/100km |
| Fuel tank capability | 50L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane common unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 157g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capability | 1100kg |
There are two all-wheel drive variations of the Seltos accessible, which improve to a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with 146kW and 265Nm. These fashions substitute the CVT with an eight-speed torque converter automated.
Our week with the automobile primarily concerned freeway driving, which is why our comparatively frugal gasoline consumption studying was beneath Kia’s official declare. There was nonetheless some inner-town errand-running together with low-speed driving, nevertheless, making the determine fairly acceptable within the absence of a hybrid system.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
How does the Kia Seltos drive?
The Seltos S is a fleet-spec car, so there’s no shock it doesn’t do something significantly exceptional.
That’s not a dig at Kia both, as a result of this base Seltos isn’t a nasty automobile to drive in any respect. For one, we had been impressed by its well-sorted experience and dealing with setup, which supply larger consolation, composure and maturity than ought to moderately be anticipated from an SUV at this finish of the market.
It handles bumps confidently and compliantly, displaying off a persistently sure-footed manner, due to well-tuned suspension and the chunkier rubber and comparatively small alloy wheels of the S working collectively to soak issues up with ease.
Similarly, these thicker sidewalls are good at retaining street noise down, even when they make the automobile look a bit of under-tyred. It’s subsequently acceptably quiet inside, although there’s already a robust baseline for cabin insulation given the muted inside wind noise too.
Handling can also be higher than we anticipated. We wouldn’t name the Seltos S sporty, nevertheless it’s extra competent at taking turns than you may realise, and it’s simple to drive in consequence.
Supporting that’s steering that feels comparatively heavy whereas providing first rate suggestions. It makes the automobile really feel substantial and a bit prefer it has old-school hydraulic energy steering (even whether it is electrical), supplying you with one thing to do as an alternative of throwing round a limp tiller.
Those facets of the Seltos are all strong, nevertheless it’s the engine the place a few of these fleet vibes are most obvious. The 2.0-litre ticker in front-wheel drive variants like this one is pretty wheezy, and whereas it’s highly effective for many intents and functions, it’s not significantly sonorous.
The identical might be stated for the CVT, which is once more competent however unremarkable. Sensibility is a phrase that involves thoughts for the Seltos S; it’s right here to function a easy A to B runabout, and it’s commendable that Kia hasn’t gone out of its method to overdo something.
Granted, all of that basically solely applies to the bottom S examined right here, because the top-spec GT-Line is much extra glitzy. So it may very well be argued that the most cost effective Seltos is a bit of underwhelming, and it definitely lacks the ultimate layer of polish seen on rivals just like the Toyota Corolla Cross.
This is essentially evident in its security gear. For one, the Hyundai Motor Group’s incessant pace restrict warning continues to be current, however as a result of this isn’t among the many newest batch of Hyundai and Kia merchandise, the Seltos lacks the helpful button shortcut to rapidly disable it.
That means you’ll must dive into the menus to disable the audible warning each time you drive the automobile, however at the least you are able to do it whereas on the transfer. It’s a small but annoying flashback in case you’ve pushed nearly every other new Kia.
Our different essential gripe is with the automobile’s passive lane-keep system, which is overreactive. It’ll usually pipe up even in case you’re nowhere close to crossing into the subsequent lane, and it’s particularly obnoxious on rural roads the place lane markings are sometimes inconsistent.
Additionally, there’s no adaptive cruise management for Seltos variants beneath the Sport+, solely a standard, barebones system. At least which means it’s dependable.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
What do you get?
The S is the muse of the four-grade Kia Seltos vary.
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2026 Kia Seltos S tools highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Spare-saver spare wheel
- Automatic halogen headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Halogen daytime operating lights
- Rear fog gentle
- Matte black grille mesh
- Body-coloured door handles
- Body-coloured, power-folding facet mirrors
- Roof rails
- Rear spoiler
- Shark fin antenna
- Cloth upholstery
- Six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster display
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker sound system
- 12V energy outlet in entrance console
- USB-A and USB-C shops in entrance console
- Two USB-C shops behind centre console
- Manual air-conditioning
- Second-row air vents
- Manual handbrake
- Folding key
Seltos Sport provides:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size spare wheel
- Windscreen and entrance door Solar Glass
- Halogen (projector-style) entrance fog lights
- Premium steering wheel
- Premium gear shifter
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- Sounds of Nature
- Kia Connect (seven-year complimentary service)
- Climate management
- Driver window one-touch up and down
Seltos Sport+ provides:
- Heated facet mirrors
- Privacy glass
- Proximity entry and push-button begin
- AEB bike owner avoidance and junction turning help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Electric park brake with auto-hold
- Cloth and synthetic leather-based upholstery
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- LED inside lights
- Illuminated self-importance mirrors
- Front centre console armrest sliding perform
- Rear centre armrest
Seltos GT-Line provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- LED daytime operating lights
- LED entrance fog lights
- LED positioning lights
- LED rear mixture tail-lights
- Premium Gloss Black grille mesh
- Satin silver belt line
- Tilt and slide sunroof (not accessible with two-tone paint)
- Power tailgate
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Premium synthetic leather-based upholstery
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- 10-way energy driver’s seat with two-way energy lumbar assist and two-position reminiscence
- Eight-way energy entrance passenger seat
- Head-up show
- Wireless cellphone charger
- Eight-speaker Bose premium sound system
- Heated, flat-bottom steering wheel
- Interior ambient lighting
- Parcel shelf
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
Is the Kia Seltos protected?
At the time of writing, the Kia Seltos boasts a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on testing carried out in 2019. This will expire by 2026.
| Category | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Child occupant safety | 83 per cent |
| Vulnerable street consumer safety | 61 per cent |
| Safety help | 70 per cent |
Standard security tools highlights:
- 6 airbags, incl:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver consideration monitor
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
- Lane Following Assist (lane centring)
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear-view digicam
- Safe exit warning
- Tyre-pressure monitoring system
Sport+ and GT-Line grades obtain AEB with bike owner avoidance and junction help, in addition to adaptive cruise management and a helpful lead-vehicle departure alert.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
How a lot does the Kia Seltos price to run?
The Kia Seltos is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
| Servicing and Warranty | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | Service-activated (as much as 8 years) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Average annual service price over 7 years | $438.9 |
| Total capped-price service price | $3072 |
Individual capped-price service prices for two.0-litre Kia Seltos autos are as follows:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| 12 months, 15,000km | $292 |
| 24 months, 30,000km | $498 |
| 36 months, 45,000km | $357 |
| 48 months, 60,000km | $618 |
| 60 months, 75,000km | $329 |
| 72 months, 90,000km | $629 |
| 84 months, 105,000km | $349 |
For context, a base Mazda CX-30 prices $3237 to service over seven years, averaging $462.43 per service every year, whereas a petroleum GWM Haval Jolion will price you simply $1840 to service over 5 years, averaging $368.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
CarExpert’s Take on the Kia Seltos
The Seltos continues to justify its standing as a protected alternative within the small SUV world.
Although it now looks like a relic within the context of Kia’s fashionable lineup, we admire its bodily controls and lack of pointless tech gimmicks. Everything is fitted for a cause, and it’s an easy automobile simply to get in and drive – so it’s no shock that just about half of all Seltos autos bought in October 2025 went to enterprise consumers.
The extra apparent fleet vibe on the entry degree means the Seltos S in all probability isn’t the very best choose for a household wagon, as is the case with most different base-spec rivals. Instead, we’d suggest stepping up one mannequin grade to the Sport.
The identical mechanical setup carries over, nevertheless it provides bigger screens and nicer supplies, making it extra personable – and it simply seems to be nicer with bigger wheels. Weirdly, in response to Kia’s spec sheet it solely has wired Apple CarPlay, nevertheless it’s nonetheless logically a great purchase with out spending GT-Line cash.
And in case you don’t want the newest and biggest tech, you may rating an important run-out deal on an outgoing Sport when the all-new Seltos attracts nearer.
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