Compare

Kia Seltos vs Toyota Corolla Cross

2026 Kia Seltos vs 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Kia Seltos

2026 Kia Seltos

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS4 – 2Kia Seltos wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota Corolla Cross

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Toyota Corolla Cross is more fuel-efficient: 42 vs 29 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $700 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Corolla Cross (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota Corolla Cross is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Kia Seltos has had fewer recall campaigns (4 vs 8).

The two cars

The 2026 Kia Seltos is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive. It measures about 172 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,186 lb (AWD 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 176 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,263 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2023 Seltos and the 2022 Corolla Cross have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2021 Seltos and the 2023 Corolla Cross.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

29 MPG
Best combined MPG
42 MPG
27 city
City / highway MPG (best)
46 city
$2,300
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,600

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
169 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
172 in
Length
175.6 in
70.9 in
Width
72 in
63.8 in
Height
64.6 in
2,893 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,098 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
12
0
Recalls (2026)
1
4
Recalls, all years since 2005
8
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
29

Interest

19,599
Wikipedia views, 30 days
19,106

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2022
2021
Year to avoid
2023

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Kia Seltos if…

  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)

Choose the Toyota Corolla Cross if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (42 vs 29 MPG)
  • You want more room (4 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Kia Seltos

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 42 MPG combined — 62% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Kia Seltos specs →Full 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →