The Kia Seltos: a small SUV darling since bursting onto the scene in 2019. But all reigns eventually end, and the clock is ticking on this generation’s time in the spotlight.
Seven years young, the first-generation Seltos, while updated, now whispers rather than shouts amidst Kia’s dazzling lineup. The brand’s cutting-edge hybrids and electrifying EVs have undeniably stolen the spotlight, casting the Seltos into a nostalgic, if slightly faded, backdrop.
But hold on – the game’s about to change. Kia’s poised to unleash the next-generation Seltos upon the world in a matter of weeks. Spy shots have been circulating since early 2025, hinting at a bold new direction: a hybrid powertrain and a striking, EV-inspired front fascia. Prepare to be electrified.
The future is on the horizon. The allnew model is slated to land on Australian shores around 2026. Until then, the current compact SUV champion remains, including the everpopular Seltos S. Get ready to experience the <strong > 2026 Kia Seltos S</strong> , currently being put through its paces.
The Seltos’ entry-level model isn’t just a hit with individual drivers; it’s conquering the corporate world, too. A remarkable one in five Seltos sold this year landed in company fleets, proving its widespread appeal.
The Kia Seltos: A respectable performer in Australia’s crowded small SUV market, but is it enough? While sales remain steady, the Seltos finds itself in a fierce battle, caught between budget-friendly options and technologically advanced competitors, leaving some to wonder if ‘respectable’ is the ceiling for this contender.
<blockquote> Seltos Showdown: Is the original about to become the smartest buy with runout deals looming? </blockquote >
<strong > Option 2 (BenefitDriven):</strong >
<blockquote> Unlock Seltos Savings: Is Now the Time to Snag the Original at a Bargain Price? </blockquote >
<strong > Option 3 (Urgency & Curiosity):</strong >
<blockquote> The Seltos Secret: Runout deals are coming, but should <em > you</em> jump on the original? </blockquote >
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 |
Step into the arena of Australia’s small SUV market, a gladiatorial contest where the Seltos faces a horde of hungry rivals. Think budget-friendly bruisers like the MG ZS and Chery Tiggo 4, the surprisingly spacious GWM Haval Jolion, the ever-reliable Honda HR-V, and the stylish Mazda CX-30, all vying for the crown. It’s a rumble in the urban jungle, and only the toughest contenders will survive.
Forget breaking the bank for a new ride! Three Chinese contenders – the ZS, Tiggo 4, and Jolion – are shaking up the market, all cruising in under $27,000 drive-away. Chery leads the pack with a jaw-dropping $23,990 sticker price. Meanwhile, the Japanese giants are playing a different game, asking you to dig a little deeper into your pockets.
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 ourcomparison 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.
Let’s be real, the base Seltos isn’t rolling out the red carpet. You’re still twisting a key to ignite the engine, not exactly living in the lap of luxury. But a little love for our elbows wouldn’t hurt, would it? The door armrests? Brutal. Zero padding. Prepare for some serious discomfort on those longer drives.
The steering wheel, encased in uninspired plastic, offers a tactile experience akin to gripping a child’s toy. While perhaps fitting within the cabin’s budget-conscious aesthetic, it does little to elevate the driving experience, leaving you yearning for something – anything – more substantial.
Forget stone tools and dusty maps. Stepping into this cabin isn’t a trip back in time. Everything justworks, plain and simple, offering an effortless transition from your current ride. Plus, a dash of modern tech ensures you’re not entirely cut off from the digital world.
Nestled at the heart of the dashboard is an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, a seemingly modest display in today’s mega-screen era. Yet, its size belies its smarts. Wireless phone connectivity is a seamless gateway to your digital world. During our week-long test drive, Apple CarPlay paired effortlessly and held a rock-solid connection, proving that sometimes, less is indeed more.
Forget dazzling displays and labyrinthine menus! This infotainment system may sport graphics straight from yesteryear, but its simplicity is its genius. Navigating is a breeze, a welcome change from the tech overload of modern Kias. Plus, clever shortcut buttons flank the screen, putting essential controls at your fingertips. It’s refreshingly intuitive.
Kia’s instrument cluster embraces minimalism with a digital display pared down to its essence. The star of the show is a central 4.2-inch screen, your window into driver-assist features and trip data, cutting through the digital noise with refreshing simplicity.
The speedometer and tachometer stand as stoic sentinels, unadorned in their presentation. Other vital signs – fuel, temperature, and more – are sprinkled throughout the instrument panel like hidden clues. It’s an aesthetic that favors function over flamboyance, a testament to utilitarian clarity.
The Seltos’ climate controls offer refreshing simplicity. Three tactile dials and two buttons are all it takes, a user-friendly layout that’s hard to fault. However, this delightful ease of use also whispers a not-so-subtle truth: time marches on, and this Seltos generation is starting to show its age.
The Seltos doesn’t skimp on comfort or practicality either. Its cloth seats, while sporting a retro pattern reminiscent of Korean cars past, offer surprising comfort for everyday driving. It’s a nostalgic nod wrapped around a reasonably supportive seat.
While the seat adjustments are refreshingly straightforward, finding that sweet spot behind the wheel is surprisingly easy. The unforgiving plastic armrests are a minor niggle, but overall, the car’s layout prioritizes driver comfort and intuitiveness.
Forget sprawling consoles; this car keeps it cozy. Door pockets offer slim bottle slots, leading to a snug center console featuring a traditional handbrake and a pair of cupholders ready for your beverages. A minimalist storage box hides beneath the middle armrest. Tech connections are discreet: a 12V outlet, USB-A, and USB-C ports sit ahead of the gear shift. The tiny cubby below? Just big enough to cradle your phone.
The rear seats? Usable, yes. Spacious? Think cozy, not commodious. Two adults can squeeze in for shorter trips, but anything beyond that is pushing your luck. And forget about a third wheel – that prominent driveline hump demands center stage, leaving no room for extras.
The rear console offers bare-bones basics: air vents, a pair of USB-C ports, and a curious little nook begging for small treasures. Forget plush armrests; this is strictly function over frills. Still, it’s a slight upgrade over stingier competitors like the CX-30, which leaves back-seat passengers USB-deprived.
Forget squeezing luggage Tetris! The Seltos boasts a boot that makes the CX-30’s 317 liters feel like a glove compartment. With a whopping 468L of cargo capacity, the Seltos swallows suitcases, strollers, and weekend getaway gear with room to spare. Finally, an SUV that understands the meaning ofutility.
The upright rear transforms into a cavernous cargo hold, swallowing luggage with ease thanks to its wide, square opening. A minimal load lip makes loading a breeze, and a couple of strategically placed cargo hooks ensure your gear stays put, turning packing from a chore into child’s play.
Beneath the floor hides a space-saver spare, a welcome sight. Though, a nagging thought: with a bit of engineering magic, couldn’t Kia have squeezed in a full-sized one for true peace of mind?
| 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 ourcomparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
The Seltos S, a front-wheel-drive marvel, hums with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder heart. It unleashes 110kW of controlled power and 180Nm of eager torque, delivered to the road through a seamless Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) – a symphony of efficiency and responsiveness.
| 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 |
For those craving extra grip and a surge of adrenaline, the Seltos offers two all-wheel-drive variants. Prepare for a potent upgrade: a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder unleashing 146kW and 265Nm of torque. Ditching the CVT, these models embrace a responsive eight-speed torque converter automatic for seamless power delivery and exhilarating performance.
The Kia ate up highway miles this week, and our fuel consumption reflected that open-road diet, landing just south of Kia’s official numbers. City errands and stop-start traffic did creep in, but even with those low-speed nibbles, the mileage remained respectable especially considering the absence of a hybrid safety net.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison 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.
Seltos Sport pictured
Don’t mistake this for a jab at Kia. The base Seltos is surprisingly competent behind the wheel. Its expertly tuned ride and handling are particularly impressive, delivering a level of comfort, poise, and sophistication rarely found in SUVs at this price point.
The ride simply glides. Bumps? Potholes? The suspension, a finely-tuned orchestra, teams up with those sensible wheels and tires to turn road imperfections into mere whispers. Confidence is built-in, composure unwavering.
While the robust sidewalls might visually suggest a slightly undersized tire, they’re masterful at silencing the outside world. The cabin remains agreeably serene, a tranquility amplified by the car’s already exceptional insulation against wind whispers.
Forget expectations. The Seltos isn’t going to carve canyons, but it corners with a confidence that’ll surprise you. Think nimble, not neck-snapping. This unexpected agility, combined with its effortless steering, makes every drive – from mundane errands to weekend adventures – a genuinely enjoyable experience.
The steering isn’t light and lifeless; it possesses a satisfying heft and offers surprisingly good feedback. This imbues the car with a sense of reassuring solidity, reminiscent of the days of hydraulic power steering even though it’s electric. It gives the driver something tangible to engage with, a welcome change from merely twirling a numb wheel.
While the Seltos boasts commendable features, the engine reveals its rental-car roots. The 2.0-liter powering front-wheel-drive models, like this one, feels strained. It’s adequate for everyday driving, but the soundtrack is far from inspiring.
The CVT in the Seltos S is a quiet achiever, focused more on efficiency than thrills. "Sensible" perfectly captures this car’s essence. Kia hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel, and that’s its strength: a reliable, unfussy companion for everyday life.
The base Seltos S, while competent, doesn’t quite sparkle like its GT-Line sibling. Opting for the entry-level model means sacrificing some of the flash, and arguably, a degree of refinement found in competitors such as the Toyota Corolla Cross. It’s a solid starting point, but those seeking a truly polished experience might find it a tad underwhelming.
The Seltos prioritizes safety, sometimes to a fault. The persistent speed limit warning, a hallmark of the Hyundai Motor Group, makes its presence known. Unlike newer Hyundai and Kia models, however, the Seltos frustratingly omits the convenient button shortcut to silence this well-intentioned, but often intrusive, feature.
Prepare to be greeted by a persistent, chirping reminder every time you start the engine. You’ll be diving into the touchscreen menus to silence it on every drive. Thankfully, you can perform this digital exorcism while in motion. Still, it’s a frustrating echo of Kias past a quirky inconvenience that contrasts sharply with the otherwise refined experience.
However, prepare to wrestle with the lane-keep assist – a system so zealous, it anticipates lane departures that exist only in its over-cautious imagination. Stray from the center by a hair’s breadth, and it’ll chime in with the fervor of a hall monitor, a particularly grating experience on winding country roads where faded lane markers become its favorite phantom menace.
The Seltos skimps on adaptive cruise control below the Sport+ trim, leaving you with a decidedly old-school system. Silver lining? What it lacks in bells and whistles, it makes up for in tried-and-true dependability.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
What do you get?
The S is the foundation of the four-grade Kia Seltos range.
Seltos S
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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
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 ourcomparison tool
Is the Kia Seltos safe?
The Kia Seltos currently sports a five-star ANCAP safety badge, earned in 2019. But like a champion’s reign, this rating has an expiration date: 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:
- Front
- Front-side
- Curtain
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian detection
- Vehicle detection
- 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
Step up to the Sport+ and GT-Line, where smart safety takes center stage. Imagine a vigilant co-driver: Automatic Emergency Braking, now with cyclist detection and junction assist, acts as your proactive shield. Adaptive Cruise Control transforms highway driving into a relaxed experience, while a clever Lead-Vehicle Departure Alert ensures you’re never caught napping at the lights. These trims don’t just drive; they anticipate.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
How much does the Kia Seltos cost to run?
Peace of mind comes standard with the Kia Seltos. Drive with confidence knowing you’re covered by an industry-leading seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Plus, keeping your Seltos in top condition is easy with servicing only required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever milestone you reach 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 |
Ditch the pricey pit stops! Over seven years, a Mazda CX-30 will bleed you dry with $3237 in service fees, an annual average of $462. But for wallet-friendly wheels, the GWM Haval Jolion sips instead of guzzles cash. Over five years, expect just $1840 in maintenance – a meager $368 annually.
To see how the Kia Seltos stacks up against its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Kia Seltos
The Seltos continues to justify its status as a safe choice in the small SUV world.
The Kia Seltos: a breath of fresh air in a tech-obsessed world. While its modern siblings bristle with digital wizardry, the Seltos offers something increasingly rare: blissful simplicity. Forget hunting through endless menus; intuitive physical controls reign supreme. Every feature serves a purpose, making it an effortless joy to drive. Perhaps that’s why, in October 2025, nearly half of all Seltos models found homes with business buyers – proving that sometimes, the smartest tech is no tech at all.
Forget family road trips in the Seltos S. Its entry-level essence screams "rental car," a vibe that just doesn’t jive with weekend adventures. Want to escape the ordinary? Spring for the Sport trim – your family (and your sanity) will thank you.
Same reliable mechanics, elevated. Think bigger, brighter screens and richer materials that finally give it a soul. And those larger wheels? Chef’s kiss. Bizarrely, Kia skimped on wireless CarPlay, sticking with the cord. Still, even without splurging on the GT-Line, it’s a smart buy.
As the all-new Seltos approaches, savvy shoppers can snag incredible deals on the current Sport model – a smart play for those who prioritize value over having the absolute newest gadgetry.
childcareman.xyz can save you thousands on a new Kia Seltos. Clickhereto get a great deal.
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