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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 technology 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 can quickly change although, as Kia is gearing up for the worldwide reveal of the next-gen Seltos in just some weeks. Notably, it’s anticipated to convey hybrid energy and a brand new EV-inspired front-end design, as evidenced by prototypes noticed in circulation since early 2025.
The brand new mannequin will doubtless arrive in Australia someday in 2026, and till then the unique compact SUV will proceed to be out there, together with variants just like the one you see on check right here: the 2026 Kia Seltos S.
It’s the entry-level model and it’s fashionable amongst not solely personal consumers but additionally companies, which accounted for one-fifth of Seltos gross sales to date in 2025.
Total, 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 might quickly convey financial savings for consumers of the unique Seltos, so is that this the one it is best to go for?
How a lot does the Kia Seltos price?
The S opens the Seltos vary at $31,250 earlier than on-road prices.
| Mannequin | Worth 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 language rivals (ZS, Tiggo 4, and Jolion) all begin under $27,000 drive-away, with the Chery the most affordable at $23,990 drive-away. The Japanese opponents, 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 towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
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What’s the Kia Seltos like on the within?
Very primary, and adorned with solely the best of exhausting plastics.
Sure, it could be unreasonable to anticipate lavish appointments in a automotive like the bottom Seltos – which nonetheless requires you to show a key to start out it – however some softer cabin surfaces wouldn’t go amiss. Locations just like the door armrests are very elbow-unfriendly, with no padding in anyway.
Equally, 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 pieces within the cabin is completely purposeful, making it straightforward to hop in and get settled in case you’re coming from every other automotive. It received’t really feel such as you’re stepping again into the Darkish Ages both, as there’s nonetheless some respectable tech to utilize.
In the course of the dashboard you’ll discover an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen. It seems 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 automotive.
The identical will 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 grasp and function – and there are a handful of shortcut buttons on both aspect to simplify issues additional.
Kia has discovered a technique to strip issues again much more for the instrument cluster, which is about so simple as a digital unit will get as of late. 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 data.
It’s flanked by merely offered speedo and tacho shows, whereas numerous different icons and gauges are scattered round elsewhere. Once more, it’s not significantly flashy, however the no-frills strategy 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 outdated.
As for consolation and practicality, the Seltos can be respectable. The material-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 fairly snug.
Handbook adjustment is expectedly commonplace, nevertheless it’s nonetheless straightforward sufficient to get into a superb driving place. The one issues that detract from seating consolation are these exhausting plastic armrests, however you’ll nonetheless discover the automotive’s ergonomics are fairly good.
In any other case, there are small bottle holders within the doorways, a slim centre console with a guide handbrake and two cupholders, plus a barebones storage field underneath the center armrest. Cellphone-oriented facilities are restricted to a 12V outlet, USB-A and USB-C ports forward of the gear selector, and you may nearly suit your cellphone within the cubby under.
The rear seats are usable, although the automotive’s compact physique doesn’t supply a lot area. Two adults will nonetheless match okay within the rear, however you received’t wish 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 gadgets. It’s a really primary area, 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. In comparison with the CX-30’s quoted 317-litre capability, the Seltos’s 468L area seems and feels far more usable.
The squared-off rear-end supplies loads of vertical cargo capability, and the broad, sq. boot ground provides ample baggage area. There’s solely a small drop from the load lip, and with a few cargo hooks you’ll have the ability to make it give you the results you want.
Higher but, there’s a space-saver spare wheel underneath the ground, even when it appears like Kia might have shoehorned in a full-size wheel as a substitute.
| Dimensions | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Size | 4385mm |
| Width | 1800mm |
| Top | 1630mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630mm |
| Cargo capability | 468L (rear seats up) 1428L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s underneath 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 via a repeatedly variable automated transmission (CVT).
| Specs | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L naturally aspirated 4cyl petrol |
| Energy | 110kW |
| Torque | 180Nm |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Drive sort | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 1310kg |
| Gas financial system (claimed) | 6.9L/100km |
| Gas financial system (as examined) | 6.0L/100km |
| Gas tank capability | 50L |
| Gas requirement | 91-octane common unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 157g/km |
| Emissions commonplace | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capability | 1100kg |
There are two all-wheel drive variations of the Seltos out there, which improve to a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with 146kW and 265Nm. These fashions exchange the CVT with an eight-speed torque converter automated.
Our week with the automotive primarily concerned freeway driving, which is why our comparatively frugal gasoline consumption studying was under 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 towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How does the Kia Seltos drive?
The Seltos S is a fleet-spec automobile, so there’s no shock it doesn’t do something significantly outstanding.
That’s not a dig at Kia both, as a result of this base Seltos isn’t a foul automotive to drive in any respect. For one, we had been impressed by its well-sorted experience and dealing with setup, which supply higher consolation, composure and maturity than ought to fairly be anticipated from an SUV at this finish of the market.
It handles bumps confidently and compliantly, exhibiting off a constantly 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.
Equally, these thicker sidewalls are good at holding highway noise down, even when they make the automotive look a little bit under-tyred. It’s due to this fact acceptably quiet inside, although there’s already a powerful baseline for cabin insulation given the muted inside wind noise too.
Dealing with can be higher than we anticipated. We wouldn’t name the Seltos S sporty, nevertheless it’s extra competent at taking turns than you would possibly realise, and it’s straightforward to drive in consequence.
Supporting that’s steering that feels comparatively heavy whereas providing respectable suggestions. It makes the automotive 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 a substitute of throwing round a limp tiller.
These features of the Seltos are all stable, nevertheless it’s the engine the place a few of these fleet vibes are most obvious. The two.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 will 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 technique to overdo something.
Granted, all of that actually solely applies to the bottom S examined right here, because the top-spec GT-Line is way extra glitzy. So it could possibly be argued that the most affordable Seltos is a little bit underwhelming, and it definitely lacks the ultimate layer of polish seen on rivals just like the Toyota Corolla Cross.
That is largely evident in its security gear. For one, the Hyundai Motor Group’s incessant velocity 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 useful button shortcut to shortly disable it.
Which means you’ll should dive into the menus to disable the audible warning each time you drive the automotive, however not less than 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 important gripe is with the automotive’s passive lane-keep system, which is overreactive. It’ll usually pipe up even in case you’re nowhere close to crossing into the following lane, and it’s particularly obnoxious on rural roads the place lane markings are sometimes inconsistent.
Moreover, there’s no adaptive cruise management for Seltos variants under the Sport+, solely a conventional, barebones system. A minimum of meaning it’s dependable.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What do you get?
The S is the inspiration of the four-grade Kia Seltos vary.
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2026 Kia Seltos S gear highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Spare-saver spare wheel
- Automated halogen headlights
- Automated high-beam
- Halogen daytime working lights
- Rear fog gentle
- Matte black grille mesh
- Physique-coloured door handles
- Physique-coloured, power-folding aspect mirrors
- Roof rails
- Rear spoiler
- Shark fin antenna
- Fabric upholstery
- Six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster display
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker sound system
- 12V energy outlet in entrance console
- USB-A and USB-C retailers in entrance console
- Two USB-C retailers behind centre console
- Handbook air-conditioning
- Second-row air vents
- Handbook handbrake
- Folding key
Seltos Sport provides:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size spare wheel
- Windscreen and entrance door Photo voltaic 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 tv for pc navigation
- Sounds of Nature
- Kia Join (seven-year complimentary service)
- Local weather management
- Driver window one-touch up and down
Seltos Sport+ provides:
- Heated aspect mirrors
- Privateness glass
- Proximity entry and push-button begin
- AEB bicycle owner avoidance and junction turning help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Electrical park brake with auto-hold
- Fabric and synthetic leather-based upholstery
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- LED inside lights
- Illuminated self-importance mirrors
- Entrance centre console armrest sliding operate
- Rear centre armrest
Seltos GT-Line provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- LED daytime working 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 out there with two-tone paint)
- Energy 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
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Eight-speaker Bose premium sound system
- Heated, flat-bottom steering wheel
- Inside ambient lighting
- Parcel shelf
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
Is the Kia Seltos protected?
On the time of writing, the Kia Seltos boasts a five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on testing carried out in 2019. This may expire by 2026.
| Class | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Youngster occupant safety | 83 per cent |
| Weak highway consumer safety | 61 per cent |
| Security help | 70 per cent |
Commonplace security gear highlights:
- 6 airbags, incl:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver consideration monitor
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Clever Velocity Restrict Help
- Lane Following Help (lane centring)
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear-view digital camera
- Protected exit warning
- Tyre-pressure monitoring system
Sport+ and GT-Line grades obtain AEB with bicycle owner avoidance and junction help, in addition to adaptive cruise management and a useful lead-vehicle departure alert.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
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 Guarantee | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 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 |
| Common annual service price over 7 years | $438.9 |
| Complete capped-price service price | $3072 |
Particular person capped-price service prices for two.0-litre Kia Seltos autos are as follows:
| Service | Worth |
|---|---|
| 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 annually, 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 towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Seltos
The Seltos continues to justify its standing as a protected alternative within the small SUV world.
Though it now looks like a relic within the context of Kia’s fashionable lineup, we respect its bodily controls and lack of pointless tech gimmicks. All the things is fitted for a cause, and it’s an easy automotive 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 stage means the Seltos S in all probability isn’t the most effective choose for a household wagon, as is the case with most different base-spec rivals. As an alternative, 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 nicer with bigger wheels. Weirdly, in accordance with Kia’s spec sheet it solely has wired Apple CarPlay, nevertheless it’s nonetheless logically a superb purchase with out spending GT-Line cash.
And in case you don’t want the most recent and biggest tech, you would rating an ideal run-out deal on an outgoing Sport when the all-new Seltos attracts nearer.
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