2027 Kia Seltos first look: price, trims, pros and cons

The 2027 Kia Seltos is a full redesign, not a small yearly update. It is longer and wider than the old Seltos, has more room inside, and offers more screen space and safety features. Gas-powered models are on sale now. Kia says a hybrid will arrive later in 2026, but it has not announced the hybrid’s price or fuel economy yet.

How we made this guide: This is a first look based on Kia’s official US pricing, specifications, and feature information. LoanLenz has not road-tested this vehicle. The pros and cons below explain what the published numbers may mean for a shopper.

2027 Seltos at a glance

Item	What Kia lists
Starting price	$24,990 for LX FWD
Destination charge	$1,495
Base price with destination	$26,485 before tax, title, options, and dealer fees
Standard engine	2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 hp
Available gas engine	1.6-liter turbo with 190 hp
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on trim
Best listed gas mileage	28 city / 33 highway / 30 combined mpg
Hybrid	Planned for later in 2026; price and mileage not yet announced

Kia says every Seltos includes two 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a group of driver-assistance features. Available upgrades include a panoramic roof, a surround-view camera, and a camera view of the blind spot.

Prices by trim

These are Kia’s suggested prices. Add the $1,495 destination charge to every row. Taxes, title, options, dealer fees, and any dealer price change are extra.

Trim	Drivetrain	MSRP before destination
LX	FWD	$24,990
S	FWD	$26,390
LX	AWD	$26,690
S	AWD	$28,090
EX	FWD	$28,390
X-Line S	AWD	$28,990
EX	AWD	$30,090
X-Line SX	AWD	$32,790

The lower trims use a 147-hp 2.0-liter engine. The X-Line SX is the only gas trim with the 190-hp turbo engine. It also uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. Kia lists combined fuel economy of 30 mpg for the 2.0-liter FWD models, 28 mpg for the 2.0-liter AWD models, and 26 mpg for the turbo AWD model.

What looks good

More useful room in a small SUV

Kia reports 39 inches of rear legroom, 27.8 cubic feet of cargo room behind the back seat, and 64.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded. Kia calls the passenger and maximum cargo space class-leading. Those are Kia’s comparisons, but the measurements still suggest a useful cabin for a small SUV.

Strong standard screens and phone support

The two standard 12.3-inch displays give even the least expensive trim a modern dashboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, so shoppers do not need a higher trim just to connect a phone without a cable.

AWD is available without buying the most expensive trim

An LX AWD starts at $26,690 before destination. That is $1,700 more than the LX FWD. Buyers who want AWD do not have to move all the way to the turbo model.

The turbo gives shoppers a clear power upgrade

The X-Line SX has 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, compared with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft in the other gas trims. That is a meaningful difference on paper for drivers who carry passengers, merge onto fast highways, or simply want stronger acceleration.

What to think about

The standard engine may feel modest

The 147-hp engine saves money and gets the best listed fuel economy, but it has much less power than the turbo. A test drive with the number of people you usually carry is the best way to decide whether it feels strong enough.

The turbo raises the price

The X-Line SX starts at $32,790 before destination. That is $7,800 more than the LX FWD. Some of that increase pays for more equipment, but shoppers should compare the full price instead of choosing only by engine.

The hybrid is still an unknown

Kia has announced a Seltos hybrid, but not its US price, mileage, trims, or exact sale date. If fuel savings matter more than buying right away, waiting for those numbers may be worthwhile.

A new design has less real-world history

This generation is brand new. Independent road tests, owner reports, and long-term reliability information will become more useful after more vehicles are on the road. Treat any early guide—including this one—as a starting point, then test-drive the exact trim you may buy.

What would the base model cost to finance?

Kia’s current offer in the Chicago-area ZIP code we checked advertises 3.99% APR for 48 months for well-qualified buyers. If you financed the LX FWD’s $24,990 MSRP plus its $1,495 destination charge, with no down payment:

Example	Amount
Amount financed before tax and fees	$26,485
Estimated monthly payment	$598
Estimated total of 48 payments	$28,699
Estimated interest	$2,214

This is a simple example, not a dealer quote. It leaves out tax, title, registration, dealer fees, accessories, trade-in value, and any negotiated price. The promotion also depends on credit approval, location, inventory, and dealer participation.

See the current 2027 Kia Seltos APR, lease, and military offers, including the expiration date and the true average lease cost after spreading the amount due at signing across the term.

Who should consider it?

The gas Seltos looks worth a test drive for shoppers who want a small SUV with useful back-seat room, modern standard screens, and an affordable path to AWD. The lower trims appear to offer the strongest value. The X-Line SX is for buyers who care enough about extra power to accept a higher price and lower fuel economy.

Wait if you want to compare the coming hybrid, need independent road-test results, or are not in a hurry. A few months of added information could make that choice clearer.