DecodedCars2025 Kia Seltos
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 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
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 31 combined · 28 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 172 in
- Curb weight
- 2,893–3,318 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 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 (28 city / 34 highway), 7% better than the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.
What changed for 2025
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2024 Seltos — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Seltos →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Gwangju, South Korea
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 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 | 28 / 34 / 31 | +7% | $2,150 | 288 |
| Seltos AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 31 / 29 | +13% | $2,300 | 309 |
| Seltos AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 27 / 25 | -2% | $2,700 | 350 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Seltos SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.1% |
| 2025 Kia Seltos SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
Similar 2025 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Seltos (this car) | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 19 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-5 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2025 Ford Escape | 40 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2025 Jeep Compass | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2025 Kia Seltos.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2025 Kia Seltos is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Kia Seltos buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Exterior Lighting — 3 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 2 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 8,000 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 2025 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 |
| 2024 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 47 |
| 2023 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 47 |
| 2022 Seltos | 31 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 76 |
| 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 →