Small but Mighty, the 2026 Kia Seltos Has Something for Everyone

Apr 13, 2026

The 2026 Kia Seltos is a subcompact SUV available in four trims with up to 195 horsepower and seating for five passengers.

In This Article

The 2026 Kia Seltos comes in four trim levels with a choice of a 147-hp four-cylinder or a 190-hp turbocharged engine.
Every 2026 Kia Seltos includes a robust suite of standard driver-assistance technology, and the top SX trim adds Highway Driving Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go.
Backed by Kia’s industry-leading powertrain warranty and bumper-to-bumper coverage, the 2026 Kia Seltos delivers exceptional peace of mind.

If you’ve been searching for a compact SUV that checks every box without breaking the bank, the 2026 Kia Seltos deserves a serious look. It’s bold, practical, and packed with technology that you’d expect to find in a much more expensive vehicle. Whether you’re navigating city streets, loading up for a weekend adventure, or simply wanting a reliable daily driver with standout style, the 2026 Seltos delivers in ways that continue to surprise its segment.

2026 Kia Seltos Overview

The 2026 Kia Seltos is a two-row subcompact SUV available in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX. Customers have a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, both of which deliver the traction needed to navigate through any weather condition. The commanding front-end design starts with a large grille area, flanked by various lighting signatures. A high beltline offers protection and great side vision, while the angular C-pillar glass helps reduce the side blind spot. All models ride on 17-inch alloy wheels, except for the SX, which rides on 18-inch wheels. Roof rails on the S trim and above add more utility when the load requires it, and EX and SX models add chrome trim around the side glass profile for a more luxurious look.

The 2026 Seltos is available in 10 exterior colors, including:

Dark Ocean Blue
Fusion Black
Snow White Pearl
Steel Gray
Clear White with a Black Roof
Gravity Gray
Mars Orange
Neptune Blue
Pluton Blue with a Black Roof
Pluton Blue

Multi-Port Performance

A 2.0-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine with multi-port fuel injection powers the LX, S, and EX trim levels, producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The range-topping 2026 Kia Seltos SX is only available with a 190-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and standard AWD.

Fuel Economy

Fuel efficiency is one of the stronger suits for the 226 Kia Seltos, particularly on the non-turbo trims. Front-drive models offer an EPA rating of 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. All-wheel drive LX, S, and EX models can achieve up to 27 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. The SX model, equipped with standard all-wheel drive, can achieve approximately 24 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.

Top Speeds

The turbocharged engine enables the 2026 Seltos to sprint from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, a notable improvement over the base engine’s eight-second time. For the base engine, Kia uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that sends output to either the front wheels or all four, while the SX’s 8-speed automatic provides a more satisfying experience and lets drivers take full advantage of the SUV’s performance potential. All 2026 Kia Seltos models with all-wheel drive feature a multi-link rear suspension, providing improved tracking on curvy roads and more flexibility when dealing with different conditions year-round. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard on all trim levels.

Premium Interior

The 2026 Kia Seltos can accommodate up to five passengers. LX models wear woven cloth upholstery, while S models add SynTex trim. EX and SX models wear full SynTex upholstery. SynTex is Kia’s synthetic leather material, offering a premium look and feel while being easier to clean than traditional leather.

S models and above have automatic climate control standards to keep everyone comfortable year-round, and rear seat passengers benefit from their own dedicated vents. Heated front seats are standard on EX and SX models, while optional on the S trim. Ventilated front seats are available on the SX model. You have up to 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which can be expanded to up to 62.8 cubic feet with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down. The cargo floor also reveals hidden storage for smaller items.

Intuitive Technology

The 2026 Kia Seltos features a clean panoramic-style dashboard that stretches in front of the driver. LX models receive an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while S models and above see that screen expand to 10.25 inches. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is found on EX and SX models. The 10.25-inch screen provides a stunning display for navigation, diagnostics, convenience, and entertainment, and an integrated blue light filter helps reduce eye strain and driver fatigue.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are connected to all 2026 Kia Seltos infotainment systems. Kia Connect enables these devices to fully integrate with your vehicle, and you can charge devices using multiple USB ports throughout the cabin. EX and SX models also offer wireless charging. Bose offers the ultimate in sound on the SX model, featuring eight premium speakers along with a sound mood lamp for an extra visual experience. The Kia app even lets you set climate control remotely, whether you’re at home or work.

Impressive Safety

The 2026 Kia Seltos doesn’t cut corners on safety, and it comes impressively equipped even at the base level. Standard driver-assist features include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane departure steering assist, lane-centering steering, a driver attention monitor, and automatic high beams.

Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist are standard on the S trim and above. Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Highway Driving Assist are standard on the SX trim. Rairdon’s Kia The SX also gains adaptive cruise control, front cross-traffic alert, and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist.

Price of the 2026 Kia Seltos

The 2026 Seltos offers tremendous value at every level of the lineup.For 2026, Kia added a new front-wheel-drive version of the base LX, lowering the SUV’s starting price by about $800 compared to the previous model year.

Here’s a breakdown of pricing by trim:

LX FWD: $23,790

LX AWD: $24,990

S FWD: $25,490

S AWD: $26,990

EX FWD: $26,490

EX AWD: $28,690

SX AWD: $31,490

Kia Warranty

Kia’s warranty program is one of the best in the business, and the 2026 Seltos benefits from full coverage. The Kia warranty program includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile basic limited warranty, a 5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty, and a 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan. That’s nearly double the coverage you’ll find from most competitors, and it means you can drive your new Seltos with confidence from the moment you leave the lot.

Test Drive a 2026 Kia Seltos at Lawton Kia

There’s no better way to experience everything the 2026 Kia Seltos has to offer than getting behind the wheel yourself. From the smooth ride and responsive handling to the modern tech and refined cabin, this is a vehicle that earns its reputation in real-world driving. Stop by Lawton Kia today to take a test drive and find the color, trim, and configuration that fits your lifestyle perfectly.

Our Kia models for sale include the Kia Telluride, Kia Niro, Kia Soul, Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento, Kia Carnival, Kia EV6, Kia K4, Kia K5, and the Kia Seltos.