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2027 Kia Telluride Review2026 Kia Seltos Review
The 2026 Kia Seltos stands out in the subcompact SUV segment with its bold design, spacious interior, and playful driving dynamics.
Overview
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is a confident, capable compact SUV that’s built for everyday life. Whether you’re commuting through the city, heading out on a weekend road trip, or just running errands, the Equinox delivers a smooth ride, intuitive tech, and a cabin that feels more upscale than its price suggests.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.75/10
Powertrain
Score
8.5/10
Interior
Score
8.5/10
Technology
Score
8.75/10
Value
Score
8.75/10
2026 Kia Seltos Powertrain 8.5/10
Most of the Seltos trim levels come equipped with a 2.0L four-cylinder producing 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission. This powertrain is tuned for fuel economy over everything else, including acceleration. Fuel economy comes in at 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
The top SX trim level offers a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that makes the Seltos a bit more of an engaging drive but drops the fuel economy down to 24 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
All-wheel drive is optional on all trim levels, giving some added traction in poor weather. The Seltos rides comfortably, even lively, with a suspension tuned for everyday use. Steering is light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces or winding roads. It’s not quite as spritely as a Mazda CX-30, but the Kia Seltos handles better than many others in its class.
2026 Kia Seltos Interior 8.5/10
Inside, the Seltos is a spacious and practical cabin with seating for five. The layout is clean and intuitive, with easy-to-reach controls and a modern design. Cargo space is solid at 26.6 cu-ft behind the second row, expanding to 62.8 cu-ft with the rear seats folded down.
The 2026 Seltos provides 38.4 inches of rear legroom, which is among the best for a small SUV. The Seltos is still a subcompact SUV, but its 2nd row has a great amount of space, especially when competitors like the HR-V have almost an inch less or legroom.
Higher trims feature synthetic leather, soft-touch surfaces, and ambient lighting. Lower trims use durable cloth upholstery with solid fit and finish. There is lots of hard plastic throughout the interior. But at this price point it’s expected.
2026 Kia Seltos Technology 8.75/10
As with most Kias, the technology in Seltos is a standout: standard 8-inch touchscreen on the LX, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation on the S, EX, and SX. The system also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available Bose premium system. The infotainment system is easy to use, with crisp graphics and responsive menus. Kia’s tech package is one of the best in the segment.
The Seltos comes packed with an impressive amount of driver aids: Forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, and rear cross-traffic alert are standard. And blind spot monitoring and highway driving assist are available on upper trims.
2026 Kia Seltos Value 8.75/10
The Seltos offers strong value across its trim lineup:
The Base LX trim level starts at an MSRP of $23,690. Includes an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and advanced safety features.
We recommend the EX trim as it comes with heated front seats, optional sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, SynTex seat trim, and leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The EX starts at and MSRP of $26,390.
The top trim SX has an MSRP of $31,390. For the price, it includes a 1.6L turbocharged engine, 10.25-inch screen, Bose audio, optional sunroof, and full suite of driver aids.
Compared to rivals like the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30, the Seltos offers more cargo space, a better infotainment system, and a great suite of safety features. The Seltos also comes with Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.
2026 Kia Seltos Final Score 8.75/10
The 2026 Kia Seltos is stylish, spacious, and packed with technology. Compared to the competition, the Seltos stands out for its value, versatility, and warranty. It’s more fun to drive than many other subcompact SUVs and offers Kia’s lengthy warranty.
