2025 Kia Seltos or 2025 Kia Sportage?
When browsing for a new compact SUV, the 2025 Kia Seltos and 2025 Kia Sportage are both compelling options that cater to various driving tastes and needs. The following detailed comparison compares their design, performance, interior space, technology, safety features, and price to assist potential purchasers in making an informed decision.
Design and Dimensions
The 2025 Kia Seltos and Sportage feature distinct design philosophies that appeal to their target purchasers.
Kia Seltos:
Embracing a youthful and aggressive design language, the Seltos features a compact silhouette perfect for urban landscapes. The exterior showcases a sporty front end with Kia's signature Tiger Nose grille, narrow LED headlights, and available 18-inch alloy wheels. The Seltos measures approximately 172.6 inches in length, 70.9 inches in width, and 63.4 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 103.5 inches. These dimensions enable it to have nimble handling and simple parking in compact urban spaces.
Kia Sportage:
The Sportage features a more adult, mature design that will appeal to shoppers seeking a larger, bolder vehicle. It boasts aggressive curves, distinctive "boomerang" daytime running lights, and a big grille. Measuring 183.5 inches long, 73.4 inches wide, and 65.4 inches tall, with a 108.5-inch wheelbase, the Sportage provides a spacious interior and a stable ride.
Performance and Powertrain
Both cars have a range of powertrains to suit different driving styles.
Kia Seltos: The Seltos offers two engines:
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT).
A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, with an 8-speed automatic transmission. These trims accommodate drivers who desire either a fuel-sipping daily drive or a more spirited driving experience.
Kia Sportage: The Sportage offers more powertrains, including hybrid variants:
A standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, with an 8-speed automatic.
A hybrid variant combining a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for a combined system output of 227 horsepower.
A plug-in hybrid model that increases power and delivers an electric-only range of as much as 32 miles.
These options provide the Sportage with broad appeal to individuals who are interested in performance, fuel efficiency, or eco-friendly driving.
Interior Space and Comfort
Interior space is a large area in which the two cars vary.
Kia Seltos:
The Seltos maximizes its interior room despite its compact size. It comfortably seats five passengers, offering 41.4 inches of front legroom and 38.0 inches of rear legroom. Cargo room is 26.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior is packed with premium materials and an available 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Kia Sportage:
The Sportage's larger size means a roomier interior. It offers 41.4 inches of front legroom and a generous 41.3 inches of rear legroom, providing plenty of room for everyone. Cargo space is plentiful, with 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row and as much as 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Sportage's interior is designed with premium materials and features, including available dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.
Technology and Safety Features
Both SUVs feature advanced technology and safety features.
Kia Seltos:
Offers an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims offer a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. Seltos offers Kia's Drive Wise safety features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning. Some of the other features offered are Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Kia Sportage:
The Sportage raises the tech stakes with available dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays integrating the instrument cluster and infotainment system within a single display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is the availability of a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The safety list is long, with standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and available features like Blind-Spot View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist, and a 360-degree Surround View Monitor to enhance parking support.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy varies in the two models depending on the engine size and options.
Kia Seltos:
The 2.0-liter base engine achieves an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with front-wheel drive. The turbo 1.6-liter engine achieves slightly lower, with an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
Kia Sportage:
Due to its larger size and engine options, fuel efficiency ratings differ by trim.
The standard 2.5-liter engine achieves around 25 mpg city / 32 mpg highway with FWD, with AWD trims losing slightly.
The hybrid Sportage is more impressive with 42 mpg city / 44 mpg highway and is the top choice for buyers who prioritize efficiency. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version offers 32 miles of all-electric driving before switching to gasoline.
Pricing and Value
Kia Seltos:
The Seltos is the more affordable of the pair, with the entry-level LX trim beginning at around $24,500. Higher trims like the SX AWD with the turbo engine and more features can push the cost closer to $30,000. This makes the Seltos a solid choice for shoppers who are on a budget but still want a feature-packed compact SUV.
Kia Sportage:
Starting at around $28,000, the Sportage has a higher starting price because it is larger and has more features. The Sportage Hybrid starts at around $29,000, and the Sportage PHEV starts at around $39,000 before potential EV tax credits. Fully loaded models, such as the SX Prestige Hybrid, get close to $40,000+, so the Sportage is the more premium choice.
Which SUV is Right for You?
The decision between the 2025 Kia Seltos and 2025 Kia Sportage depends on your priorities:
Both SUVs offer excellent reliability, safety, and technology, but the Seltos is geared towards urban drivers in need of value, while the Sportage is a better choice for those needing more space and power. Buyers seeking fuel efficiency will favor the Sportage Hybrid or PHEV, while those looking for a sporty, compact, all-wheel-drive SUV will appreciate the Seltos' turbocharged engine.
Finally, taking both models for a test drive and thinking about your everyday driving requirements will determine which Kia SUV is ideal for you. Have a look at Lakeshore Kia’s inventory for a better idea of what is available!