DecodedCars2022 Kia Seltos
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2022 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- AWD 4dr SUV, AWD Turbo 4dr SUV, FWD 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 147–175 hp
- Transmission
- CVT, 7-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 31 combined · 29 city / 35 hwy
- Length
- 172 in
- Curb weight
- 2,893–3,318 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2022 small SUV (26.5 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 175 hp, versus about 227 hp for similar 2022 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2022 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2022 Kia Seltos is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive 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).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (29 city / 35 highway), 17% better than the 2022 small SUV average of 26.5 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2022
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2021 Seltos — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2021; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2021 Seltos →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Gwang-Ju, South Korea
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2022 Seltos configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWD 4dr SUV | 172 in | 70.9 in | 63.8 in | 103.5 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,186 lb | 59/41 |
| AWD Turbo 4dr SUV | 172 in | 70.9 in | 63.8 in | 103.5 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,318 lb | 59/41 |
| FWD 4dr SUV | 172 in | 70.9 in | 63.8 in | 103.5 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 2,893 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seltos FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 35 / 31 | +17% | $2,150 | 283 |
| Seltos AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 31 / 29 | +18% | $2,300 | 314 |
| Seltos AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 30 / 27 | +10% | $2,500 | 331 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2022 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Kia Seltos SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.1% |
| 2022 Kia Seltos SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
Similar 2022 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Kia Seltos (this car) | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2022 Toyota RAV4 | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime | 38 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2022 Honda CR-V | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2022 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 23 |
| 2022 Mazda CX-5 | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross | 32 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · Feb 17, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V099000 · 137,256 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
- Risk
- Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
Not every 2022 Kia Seltos is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2022 Kia Seltos buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 40 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 10 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 9 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2022 Kia Seltos. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Seltos years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Seltos | 30 | – | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2026 Seltos | 29 | 172 in | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 13 |
| 2024 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 47 |
| 2023 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 47 |
| 2021 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 378 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →