The Kia Seltos has been a small SUV favourite since its introduction in 2019, but it won’t be long before this generation is moved along.
It has been updated in its almost seven-year life cycle, but the first-generation Seltos is visibly one of the oldest models in Kia’s lineup, with the Korean brand’s latest hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) firmly pushing it into the background.
That will soon change though, as Kia is gearing up for the global reveal of the next-gen Seltos in just a few weeks. Notably, it’s expected to bring hybrid power and a new EV-inspired front-end design, as evidenced by prototypes spotted in circulation since early 2025.
The new model will likely arrive in Australia sometime in 2026, and until then the original compact SUV will continue to be available, including variants like the one you see on test here: the 2026 Kia Seltos S.
It’s the entry-level version and it’s popular among not only private buyers but also businesses, which accounted for one-fifth of Seltos sales so far in 2025.
Overall, the Seltos continues to perform respectably within Australia’s small SUV segment, posting middle-of-the-road sales figures alongside cheaper and more modern rivals.
Run-out deals could soon bring savings for buyers of the original Seltos, so is this the one you should go for?
How much does the Kia Seltos cost?
The S opens the Seltos range at $31,250 before on-road costs.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 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 segment is densely populated, and there are a fair few rivals for the Seltos. This includes base-spec variants of models 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 start below $27,000 drive-away, with the Chery the cheapest at $23,990 drive-away. The Japanese competitors, meanwhile, are more expensive.
Honda’s entry-level HR-V X is priced at $34,900 drive-away, while the CX-30 G20 Pure costs $34,060 before on-roads.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
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What is the Kia Seltos like on the inside?
Very basic, and adorned with only the finest of hard plastics.
Yes, it would be unreasonable to expect lavish appointments in a car like the base Seltos – which still requires you to turn a key to start it – but some softer cabin surfaces wouldn’t go amiss. Places like the door armrests are very elbow-unfriendly, with no padding whatsoever.
Similarly, it’s fitted with a plastic-clad steering wheel. It doesn’t feel particularly pleasant to hold and contributes to the generally cheap vibe of the cabin, but again it isn’t necessarily out of place.
If nothing else, everything in the cabin is perfectly functional, making it easy to hop in and get settled if you’re coming from any other car. It won’t feel like you’re stepping back into the Dark Ages either, as there’s still some decent tech to make use of.
In the middle of the dashboard you’ll find an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen. It looks small by today’s standards but still offers wireless phone connectivity, which we used with Apple CarPlay and found to be reliable during our week with the car.
The same can be said for the screen itself and its native infotainment system in general. Dated as the graphics are, the lack of the multiple in-depth menus found in newer Kias makes the system super-easy to understand and operate – and there are a handful of shortcut buttons on either side to simplify things further.
Kia has found a way to strip things back even more for the instrument cluster, which is about as simple as a digital unit gets these days. Then again, the only truly digital part of this display is the 4.2-inch panel in the middle, which shows driver-assist and trip-computer information.
It’s flanked by simply presented speedo and tacho displays, while various other icons and gauges are scattered around elsewhere. Again, it’s not particularly flashy, but the no-frills approach lends itself to straightforward functionality.
We like that there’s still a basic climate control setup with only three physical dials and two buttons. It doesn’t get much easier to use than this, though it is a reminder that this iteration of the Seltos is now getting quite old.
As for comfort and practicality, the Seltos is also decent. The cloth-appointed seat trim has old-school patterns that hark back to Korean cars from 20-odd years ago, and the seats themselves are reasonably comfortable.
Manual adjustment is expectedly standard, but it’s still easy enough to get into a good driving position. The only things that detract from seating comfort are those hard plastic armrests, but you’ll still find the car’s ergonomics are reasonably good.
Otherwise, there are small bottle holders in the doors, a narrow centre console with a manual handbrake and two cupholders, plus a barebones storage box under the middle armrest. Phone-oriented amenities are limited to a 12V outlet, USB-A and USB-C ports ahead of the gear selector, and you can just about fit your phone in the cubby below.
The rear seats are usable, though the car’s compact body doesn’t offer much space. Two adults will still fit okay in the rear, but you won’t want to go three abreast – especially given there’s a sizeable driveline hump in the middle.
There are two air vents on the back of the centre console, along with two USB-C ports and a strange cut-out for storing smaller items. It’s a very basic space, without even a fold-down armrest, but it’s marginally more practical than rivals like the CX-30, which doesn’t have any USB connectivity for second-row occupants.
The boot, meanwhile, is fairly generous. Compared to the CX-30’s quoted 317-litre capacity, the Seltos’s 468L space looks and feels much more usable.
The squared-off rear-end provides plenty of vertical cargo capacity, and the wide, square boot floor offers ample luggage space. There’s only a small drop from the load lip, and with a couple of cargo hooks you’ll be able to make it work for you.
Better yet, there’s a space-saver spare wheel under the floor, even if it feels like Kia could have shoehorned in a full-size wheel instead.
| Dimensions | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Length | 4385mm |
| Width | 1800mm |
| Height | 1630mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630mm |
| Cargo capacity | 468L (rear seats up) 1428L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What’s under 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 power and 180Nm of torque. Drive is sent through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
| Specifications | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L naturally aspirated 4cyl petrol |
| Power | 110kW |
| Torque | 180Nm |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 1310kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 6.9L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 6.0L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 50L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 157g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capacity | 1100kg |
There are two all-wheel drive versions of the Seltos available, which upgrade to a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with 146kW and 265Nm. These models replace the CVT with an eight-speed torque converter automatic.
Our week with the car primarily involved highway driving, which is why our relatively frugal fuel consumption reading was below Kia’s official claim. There was still some inner-town errand-running including low-speed driving, however, making the figure quite acceptable in the absence of a hybrid system.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How does the Kia Seltos drive?
The Seltos S is a fleet-spec vehicle, so there’s no surprise it doesn’t do anything particularly remarkable.
That’s not a dig at Kia either, because this base Seltos isn’t a bad car to drive at all. For one, we were impressed by its well-sorted ride and handling setup, which offer greater comfort, composure and maturity than should reasonably be expected from an SUV at this end of the market.
It handles bumps confidently and compliantly, showing off a consistently sure-footed demeanour, thanks to well-tuned suspension and the chunkier rubber and relatively small alloy wheels of the S working together to soak things up with ease.
Similarly, those thicker sidewalls are good at keeping road noise down, even if they make the car look a little under-tyred. It’s therefore acceptably quiet inside, though there’s already a strong baseline for cabin insulation given the muted interior wind noise too.
Handling is also better than we expected. We wouldn’t call the Seltos S sporty, but it’s more competent at taking turns than you might realise, and it’s easy to drive as a result.
Supporting that is steering that feels relatively heavy while offering decent feedback. It makes the car feel substantial and a bit like it has old-school hydraulic power steering (even if it is electric), giving you something to do instead of throwing around a limp tiller.
Those aspects of the Seltos are all solid, but it’s the engine where some of those fleet vibes are most apparent. The 2.0-litre ticker in front-wheel drive variants like this one is fairly wheezy, and while it’s powerful for most intents and purposes, it’s not particularly sonorous.
The same can be said for the CVT, which is again competent but unremarkable. Sensibility is a word that comes to mind for the Seltos S; it’s here to serve as a simple A to B runabout, and it’s commendable that Kia hasn’t gone out of its way to overdo anything.
Granted, all of that really only applies to the base S tested here, as the top-spec GT-Line is far more glitzy. So it could be argued that the cheapest Seltos is a little underwhelming, and it certainly lacks the final layer of polish seen on rivals like the Toyota Corolla Cross.
This is largely evident in its safety gear. For one, the Hyundai Motor Group’s incessant speed limit warning is still present, but because this isn’t among the latest batch of Hyundai and Kia products, the Seltos lacks the handy button shortcut to quickly disable it.
That means you’ll have to dive into the menus to disable the audible warning every time you drive the car, but at least you can do it while on the move. It’s a small yet annoying flashback if you’ve driven almost any other new Kia.
Our other main gripe is with the car’s passive lane-keep system, which is overreactive. It’ll often pipe up even if you’re nowhere near crossing into the next lane, and it’s especially obnoxious on rural roads where lane markings are often inconsistent.
Additionally, there’s no adaptive cruise control for Seltos variants below the Sport+, only a traditional, barebones system. At least that means it’s reliable.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What do you get?
The S is the foundation of the four-grade Kia Seltos range.
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2026 Kia Seltos S equipment highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Spare-saver spare wheel
- Automatic halogen headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Halogen daytime running lights
- Rear fog light
- Matte black grille mesh
- Body-coloured door handles
- Body-coloured, power-folding side mirrors
- Roof rails
- Rear spoiler
- Shark fin antenna
- Cloth upholstery
- Six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker sound system
- 12V power outlet in front console
- USB-A and USB-C outlets in front console
- Two USB-C outlets behind centre console
- Manual air-conditioning
- Second-row air vents
- Manual handbrake
- Folding key
Seltos Sport adds:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size spare wheel
- Windscreen and front door Solar Glass
- Halogen (projector-style) front 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 control
- Driver window one-touch up and down
Seltos Sport+ adds:
- Heated side mirrors
- Privacy glass
- Proximity entry and push-button start
- AEB cyclist avoidance and junction turning assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Electric park brake with auto-hold
- Cloth and artificial leather upholstery
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- LED interior lights
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Front centre console armrest sliding function
- Rear centre armrest
Seltos GT-Line adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- LED front fog lights
- LED positioning lights
- LED rear combination tail-lights
- Premium Gloss Black grille mesh
- Satin silver belt line
- Tilt and slide sunroof (not available with two-tone paint)
- Power tailgate
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Premium artificial leather upholstery
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- 10-way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar support and two-position memory
- Eight-way power front passenger seat
- Head-up display
- Wireless phone 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 against its rivals, use our comparison tool
Is the Kia Seltos safe?
At the time of writing, the Kia Seltos boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2019. This will expire by 2026.
| Category | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 85 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 83 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 61 per cent |
| Safety assist | 70 per cent |
Standard safety equipment highlights:
- 6 airbags, incl:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver attention monitor
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
- Lane Following Assist (lane centring)
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear-view camera
- Safe exit warning
- Tyre-pressure monitoring system
Sport+ and GT-Line grades receive AEB with cyclist avoidance and junction assist, as well as adaptive cruise control and a handy lead-vehicle departure alert.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How much does the Kia Seltos cost to run?
The Kia Seltos is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
| Servicing and Warranty | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | Service-activated (up to 8 years) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Average annual service cost over 7 years | $438.9 |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3072 |
Individual capped-price service costs for 2.0-litre Kia Seltos vehicles 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 costs $3237 to service over seven years, averaging $462.43 per service each year, while a petrol GWM Haval Jolion will cost you just $1840 to service over five years, averaging $368.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Kia Seltos
The Seltos continues to justify its status as a safe choice in the small SUV world.
Although it now seems like a relic in the context of Kia’s modern lineup, we appreciate its physical controls and lack of unnecessary tech gimmicks. Everything is fitted for a reason, and it’s a very easy car just to get in and drive – so it’s no surprise that nearly half of all Seltos vehicles sold in October 2025 went to business buyers.
The more obvious fleet vibe at the entry level means the Seltos S probably isn’t the best pick for a family wagon, as is the case with most other base-spec rivals. Instead, we’d recommend stepping up one model grade to the Sport.
The same mechanical setup carries over, but it adds larger screens and nicer materials, making it more personable – and it just looks nicer with larger wheels. Weirdly, according to Kia’s spec sheet it only has wired Apple CarPlay, but it’s still logically a good buy without spending GT-Line money.
And if you don’t need the latest and greatest tech, you could score a great run-out deal on an outgoing Sport when the all-new Seltos draws nearer.
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