The subcompact SUV segment doesn’t get much attention next to flashy new EVs, but the Kia Seltos has quietly become one of the smartest buys in the class, and the 2026 model — out now at dealers — sharpens that pitch rather than reinventing it. This is not the full redesign some had expected; Kia is holding that for an all-new Seltos due in 2027, so what we drove is a well-sorted refresh with a genuinely useful new trim structure, a couple of small styling tweaks, and the same two engines buyers already know. That’s worth saying plainly up front, since “first drive” pieces are usually built around a clean-sheet car — this one is closer to a mid-cycle sharpening, and it should be judged that way.
What’s Actually New for 2026
The headline change is financial as much as mechanical: Kia added a front-wheel-drive-only LX trim, which pulls the Seltos’s starting price down to $23,790 before destination, according to Kia’s own U.S. pricing announcement. That’s a meaningful move in a segment where buyers cross-shop on sticker price first and features second. AWD remains available on the LX, S, and EX trims for roughly $1,200 to $2,200 depending on trim, while the range-topping SX is AWD-only and comes standard with the more powerful engine. Kia also added an EX Sunroof Package with new 17-inch gloss-black wheels, and that’s about the extent of the visual changes — anyone cross-shopping a 2024 or 2025 Seltos won’t need a spotter’s guide to tell them apart.
First Impressions and Design
Parked next to its bigger sibling, the Sportage, the Seltos still reads as the junior member of the family — tidy proportions, a tall greenhouse, and enough visual attitude in the front fascia and wheel arch cladding to look like it could handle light trail duty even though it’s aimed squarely at commuters and young families. The SX’s 18-inch wheels fill the arches nicely, while the base trims ride on 17s that leave a bit more sidewall for comfort. It’s not a car that turns heads, but it doesn’t need to; it looks like exactly what it is, which is an honest, well-proportioned small crossover.
Behind the Wheel: Engine and Performance
Kia carries over both familiar powertrains for 2026. The LX, S, and EX trims use a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 147 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission that sends power to the front wheels or, optionally, all four. It’s an engine built for quiet competence rather than excitement, and that’s exactly how it drives — adequate around town, a bit strained on a full highway on-ramp, but never harsh or coarse. The SX AWD swaps in a turbocharged 1.6-liter four making 190 horsepower, backed by an eight-speed automatic rather than a CVT, and the difference is immediately obvious from the first stab of the throttle. Where the base engine asks you to plan your merges, the turbo simply goes, with the eight-speed shifting crisply enough that the Seltos briefly feels like it’s punching above its price class. If there’s one clear takeaway from this drive, it’s that the SX’s turbo engine is the one worth budgeting for if driving enjoyment matters to you at all.
Ride, Handling, and Comfort
Ground clearance sits at 7.3 inches, enough to shrug off a rutted gravel driveway or a curb cut without drama, and the suspension leans toward comfort over sharpness — body control is decent through a curve, but this is a car tuned for absorbing potholes on a school run rather than carving a canyon road. Cabin noise is well managed for the class, and the ride never gets floaty even on the SX’s larger wheels. Fuel economy backs up the comfort-first tuning: the base engine returns an EPA-estimated 28 city/34 highway mpg in FWD form, while the turbocharged SX AWD trades some of that efficiency for its extra punch, landing closer to 24 city/27 highway.
Interior and Technology
This is where the 2026 Seltos genuinely competes above its price point. Dual 10.25-inch displays — one for instruments, one for infotainment — span the dash on higher trims, wrapped in a layout that still keeps physical buttons for climate control, which drivers who’ve fought with touch-only HVAC systems in rival cars will appreciate. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard across the range, and upper trims add Kia Connect with over-the-air update capability. Materials are unmistakably budget-friendly in the lower trims, but Kia dresses up the SX with heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and an available Bose audio system that outperforms what you’d expect at this price. Cargo space is respectable for the segment at 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and the Seltos continues to offer charging ports across all rows, a small but genuinely useful touch for road-trip families.
Safety
Every 2026 Seltos comes standard with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning, while higher trims add Blind-Spot View Monitor and Surround View Monitor. The outgoing model earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, and Kia is aiming to carry that momentum into the 2026 model year, though final 2026-specific IIHS testing should be confirmed directly with the institute before it’s cited as settled.
Price and Rivals
| Trim | Drivetrain | Engine | Starting MSRP* |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX | FWD | 2.0L 147 hp | $23,790 |
| LX | AWD | 2.0L 147 hp | ~$24,990 |
| S | FWD | 2.0L 147 hp | ~$25,490 |
| EX | FWD | 2.0L 147 hp | ~$26,490 |
| SX | AWD | 1.6L Turbo, 190 hp | ~$31,490 |
*Edmunds-listed MSRPs excluding destination; confirm exact figures with a local Kia dealer before purchase, as regional pricing can vary.
The Seltos’s most direct rivals are the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Subaru Crosstrek, and against that field, the Seltos’s combination of standard AWD availability across nearly every trim, dual-screen tech, and a genuinely quick turbo option is hard to match dollar for dollar. The Crosstrek edges it on off-road credibility, and the Kona pulls ahead on outright cabin polish, but few rivals in this price bracket offer a powertrain as engaging as the Seltos SX.
Early Verdict
[Add photo/alt text here — 2026 Kia Seltos first drive, front three-quarter exterior shot]
The 2026 Kia Seltos isn’t trying to reinvent itself, and based on this test drive, it doesn’t need to — the new FWD-only LX trim makes an already competitive package more accessible, and the SX’s turbo engine remains one of the more satisfying drivetrains you’ll find in a subcompact SUV. This is a preliminary impression built around a limited test drive rather than extended ownership, so real-world reliability and long-term value will need more time to bear out, but as a snapshot of where the Seltos stands heading into its final year on the current platform, it’s a strong one. [link to related article on Kia Sportage vs Seltos comparison]
FAQ
When is the 2026 Kia Seltos available?
The 2026 Seltos is on sale now at U.S. Kia dealers, having launched with pricing announced in mid-2025 ahead of the 2026 model year rollout.
How much does the 2026 Kia Seltos cost?
Pricing starts at $23,790 for the base LX FWD trim and rises to roughly $31,490–$33,370 for the range-topping SX AWD, before destination charges and dealer fees.
What engines does the 2026 Seltos offer?
Most trims use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 147 horsepower with a CVT, while the SX AWD gets a turbocharged 1.6-liter four making 190 horsepower paired with an eight-speed automatic.
Is all-wheel drive available on every Seltos trim?
AWD is optional on the LX, S, and EX trims and standard on the SX, while the new base LX is offered exclusively with front-wheel drive to hit its lower starting price.
Is the 2026 Seltos a full redesign?
No — this is a mid-cycle update focused on trim and pricing changes. Kia is expected to bring an all-new, redesigned Seltos for the 2027 model year.
What are the Seltos’s main rivals? Key competitors include the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Subaru Crosstrek.
How does the Seltos’s fuel economy compare? The base FWD model is EPA-rated at 28 city/34 highway mpg, while the turbocharged SX AWD is rated closer to 24 city/27 highway mpg.
This article reflects a first-drive impression based on a limited test drive under specific conditions. Final production specifications, pricing, and availability may vary by trim and region — confirm current details with your local Kia dealer or Kia’s official U.S. media site before making a purchase decision.
