Kia Seltos (2025)

Kelley Blue Book praises the 2025 Kia Seltos as a standout subcompact SUV that combines spaciousness, strong safety features, and competitive pricing to offer excellent value in its class. The review highlights Kia’s best-in-class warranties, refined interior materials, and practical cargo space, noting the Seltos’ comfortable ride and quiet cabin as key strengths. While the base 146-hp engine is described as adequate but not thrilling, the turbocharged variants deliver lively performance paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. The reviewer appreciates real-world usability, including driver assistance tech that performs well and thoughtful features like rear air vents and a digital key. Some minor drawbacks include all-wheel drive not being standard on popular trims and slightly slower acceleration compared to rivals. Overall, the Seltos is positioned as a well-rounded, stylish, and practical choice with strong resale value, making it a compelling option among competitors like the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30.

James Riswick from Autoblog highlights the 2025 Kia Seltos as a well-rounded subcompact SUV that impresses with its spacious interior, clever design touches, and strong safety features. Despite a somewhat awkward name, the Seltos stands out for its upgraded technology, including a user-friendly infotainment system and thoughtful storage solutions. The turbocharged engine delivers lively acceleration that outpaces many rivals, though at the cost of less-than-stellar fuel economy. While the base engine feels underpowered and the interior materials reveal the vehicle’s budget roots, the overall package remains competitive, especially given its generous cargo capacity and comfortable ride. Riswick notes that the Seltos is a smart alternative to segment peers like the Chevrolet Trax and Volkswagen Taos, though it no longer leads on value. The review balances enthusiasm for the Seltos’ strengths with measured critiques, offering a nuanced perspective that encourages buyers to look beyond the name and consider the SUV’s practical merits.

Adrian Taylor from U.S. News & World Report highlights the 2025 Kia Seltos as a bold and versatile subcompact SUV that offers strong value, spaciousness, and a well-crafted cabin for its price point. While the base 146-horsepower engine is underwhelming for highway driving, the available 195-horsepower turbo-four provides a more confident and engaging performance, albeit with reduced fuel efficiency. The Seltos impresses with its balanced handling, direct steering, and maneuverability, making it enjoyable in urban settings. The interior is roomy and functional, featuring a modern infotainment system with intuitive controls, though some hard plastics and control placements slightly detract from the experience. Safety ratings are mixed but generally positive, supported by a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. Taylor recommends the EX trim for its blend of amenities and efficiency. Overall, the review conveys a moderately positive and measured enthusiasm, praising the Seltos’ practicality and value while acknowledging its performance and refinement trade-offs.

David Gluckman from Car and Driver highlights the 2026 Kia Seltos as a solid, well-rounded subcompact SUV that excels at delivering value and practicality rather than excitement. While it may not be the most thrilling option in its segment, the Seltos impresses with handsome styling, a spacious and refined interior, and a smooth ride. The turbocharged 1.6-liter engine stands out for providing a notably quicker and more engaging driving experience compared to the base 2.0-liter engine, which is adequate but uninspiring. The review emphasizes the Seltos’s strong fuel efficiency, generous standard and optional features—especially in the EX trim—and industry-leading warranty coverage. Although it doesn’t match the driving dynamics of rivals like the Mazda CX-30, the Seltos offers a compelling balance of comfort, technology, and safety, making it a practical choice for buyers prioritizing value and versatility over sporty performance.

Josh Nevett from CarExpert highlights the 2025 Kia Seltos S as a practical, straightforward small SUV that remains easy to drive and spacious, offering solid value especially for those seeking simplicity over flashy features. While the base model’s 2.0-litre engine delivers smooth, confident performance with quiet operation and responsive handling, the Seltos shows its age against newer rivals, lacking polish and modern tech such as adaptive cruise control. The review praises its excellent parking manners, comfortable ride, and well-executed driver aids like lane centring, but criticizes intrusive and sometimes inaccurate active safety systems, particularly the speed limit warnings. Although the interior is functional, it feels budget-conscious and sparse compared to competitors. Nevett recommends stretching to the Sport trim for more comfort and tech upgrades but still regards the Seltos as a sensible choice over similarly priced rivals like the Mazda CX-3 and Mitsubishi ASX, especially for buyers valuing reliability and familiar driving dynamics.

CarsGuide offers a comprehensive and measured assessment of the 2025 Kia Seltos, highlighting its enduring appeal as a small SUV that balances style, space, and affordability. The reviews emphasize the Seltos’s smart design and surprisingly roomy cabin, making it a practical choice for urban families, especially those mindful of budget constraints. While the model has seen incremental price increases and feature updates since its earlier iterations, the coverage thoughtfully questions whether these changes are enough to maintain its competitive edge against rivals like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Nissan Qashqai. The long-term testing by Andrew Chesterton, including real-world urban family scenarios, provides valuable insights into the Seltos’s performance and usability. Overall, the tone is cautiously optimistic, recognizing the Seltos as a solid contender in a crowded segment but encouraging potential buyers to weigh its evolving value proposition carefully.