2021 Kia Seltos vs. Its Competition

2021 Kia Seltos
Aaron Cole Aaron Cole Managing Editor

The Seltos competes against other cute ‘utes that tempt buyers with a tall ride height and low price.

The Hyundai Kona looks great and has a similar powertrain lineup, although all-wheel drive isn’t standard.

The Kia Soul offers similar engines too, but no all-wheel drive and a lower hatchback profile.

The Subaru Crosstrek also offers standard all-wheel drive and off-road skills to match.

The Jeep Renegade is the best among the bunch for off-roading, although the top Trailhawk trim is pricey.

The Chevy Trailblazer will arrive later this fall with turbo-3 engines.

2021 Kia Seltos2021 Kia Seltos
#38 in Crossover SUVs
Get Your Price		2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
#11 in Small SUVs
Get Your Price		2020 Hyundai Kona2020 Hyundai Kona
2020 Jeep Renegade2020 Jeep Renegade
2020 Kia Soul2020 Kia Soul
Get Your Price		2020 Subaru Crosstrek2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Quick Specs
5.8
The 2021 Kia Seltos combines the practicality of the hatchback Soul in a larger package with the automaker’s low price and superlative warranty.
5.6
The 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is a stylish but underpowered subcompact crossover.
6.0
The 2020 Hyundai Kona is an eyeful, but has nearly everything crossover buyers want in a city-friendly package.
5.2
The 2020 Jeep Renegade is a compact crossover SUV that’s full of character and off-road prowess, but it makes many important compromises.
6.3
The 2020 Kia Soul compact hatchback is proof of life among small, inexpensive cars.
5.8
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek puts safety first, with capability a close second.
MSRP From     
$21,990$19,000$20,300$22,375$17,490$22,145
Gas Mileage     
25 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy26 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy26 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy21 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy25 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Regular Unleaded I-4Gas I3Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded H-4
EPA Class     
Small SUV 4WDSport Utility VehiclesSmall SUV 2WDSmall SUV 2WDSmall Station WagonsSmall SUV 4WD
Style Name     
LX IVT AWDFWD 4-Door LSE Automatic FWDSport FWDLX ManualManual
Drivetrain     
All Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
555555
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
Sport UtilitySport UtilitySport UtilitySport UtilityHatchbackSport Utility
Transmission     
CVT w/ODContinuously Variable RatioAutomatic w/ODAutomatic w/ODManual w/ODManual w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2021 Kia Seltos vs. 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer2021 Kia Seltos vs. 2020 Hyundai Kona2021 Kia Seltos vs. 2020 Jeep Renegade2021 Kia Seltos vs. 2020 Kia Soul2021 Kia Seltos vs. 2020 Subaru Crosstrek