Stop settling for tight quarters—this Kia proves affordable SUVs can feel spacious

Published Jul 27, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT Tyler is an automotive journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive industry. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology behind them. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. Tyler specializes in automotive journalism, content strategy, and SEO-driven publishing, with a particular interest in performance, reliability, and the cultural role of cars. He approaches automotive writing with a distinct philosophy: vehicles should be engaging and expressive, not merely functional tools. This perspective shapes his coverage and allows readers to connect with cars beyond basic specifications. Subcompact SUVs have become one of the hottest segments in the market as buyers look for affordable, practical vehicles that keep ownership costs in check. The Toyota Corolla Cross has long been a default choice thanks to its reputation for reliability, but the competition has caught up quickly, with newer rivals offering more space, technology, and refinement for similar money. One of the biggest challengers is Kia's redesigned Seltos. Freshly updated for 2027, it brings a larger cabin, a more upscale interior, and a host of modern technology while remaining competitively priced. For buyers comparing value rather than simply brand names, it makes a compelling case as one of the strongest alternatives to Toyota's best-selling crossover. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Kia and other authoritative sources, including the EPA. Kia has given the Seltos some major upgrades for the 2027 model year Bigger, better, and much more modern With the price of everything from gas to insurance constantly on the rise, more and more buyers are shifting to small SUVs. One of the default choices in this segment has always been the Toyota Corolla Cross, with its simple layout and strong reputation. However, one of its core rivals, the Kia Seltos, has just gotten a pretty major overhaul, one that will make the price tag attached to the Toyota pretty difficult to justify. Strong value throughout the trim lineup Models Starting MSRP LX $24,990 S $26,390 EX $28,390 X-Line S $28,990 X-Line SX $32,790 The Kia Seltos has gotten a major overhaul, with its styling now more in line with what is on offer throughout the rest of Kia's lineup. It's also gotten quite a lot bigger and been given some major tech upgrades on the inside. In our minds, it is capable of doing battle with compact SUVs that cost thousands more dollars, both in terms of quality and practicality. However, its starting price still sits on par with the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross, which starts at $25,235. We think that all the trims in the Seltos lineup offer quite a lot of value, depending on what you're looking for. While it comes with a heftier price tag, we think there is a strong case to be made for the EX in particular. While it doesn't get the more powerful turbocharged engine from the X-Line SX model, it does come with a ton of niceties, including faux-leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-operated liftgate. The new Seltos is more practical than its direct rivals You get a ton of space for the price you pay Kia has made the Seltos feel like a much more modern car, inside and out. This means imbuing it with a ton of modern tech and convenience features and a strong infotainment system. More importantly, for those with a family, the Seltos has gotten bigger. It is now one of the most practical options that you can get at this price point, with dimensions that rival crossovers that cost thousands more. More space than any other subcompact SUV Front row headroom 38.5 inches Front row legroom 41.3 inches Second row headroom 38.4 inches Second row legroom 38.9 inches Cargo capacity 27.8 cubic feet In terms of its interior dimensions, the Seltos is a class-leader. There is a bunch of space, both in the front and in the back. Even taller passengers won't find much to complain about in the rear, with there being plenty of legroom and headroom. Compared to other SUVs at this price point, the trunk of the Seltos is cavernous. We wouldn't be surprised if the Seltos drew buyers away from the larger RAV4, let alone the Corolla Cross. As well as being larger, the Seltos has gotten a quality upgrade as well. In terms of design, it feels like one of the more upscale options in the segment. It follows the design language set by some of the larger SUVs in Kia's lineup, like the Telluride. It also comes with some really nice standard features, including a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with four-way lumbar adjustment. Top trims also come with luxuries like a panoramic sunroof and ambient interior lighting. More standard tech than you'd expect Kia makes use of a dual-screen setup in the new Seltos, with two 12.3-inch screens sharing a single thin panel. One of these screens acts as the gauge display while the other houses the infotainment system. Kia allows you to have some fun here, with a number of themes for the infotainment system being available, with selections inspired by anything from Disney to the NBA. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every model. You also have access to an AI voice assistant powered by ChatGPT. You also get four USB ports and a wireless smartphone charger, even on the most affordable model. A six-speaker sound system is standard, but a premium Harman/Kardon system is available. It might not be particularly fun to drive, but the new Seltos is impressively smooth It delivers an upscale driving experience Credit: Kia Buying an affordable subcompact SUV usually means settling for a pretty basic driving experience. The Seltos, however, feels more refined than you might expect for a crossover that starts at $24,990. It might not be as fun to drive as some rivals, like the Mazda CX-30 or the Volkswagen Taos, but it is easily one of the most comfortable crossovers in its segment. The Seltos has become more mature Base Trim Engine 2.0-liter Four-cylinder Base Trim Transmission CVT Base Trim Drivetrain Front-Wheel Drive Base Trim Horsepower 147 hp Base Trim Torque 132 lb-ft Make Kia Model Seltos Segment Subcompact SUV Most of the trims in the new Seltos lineup feature a pretty humble two-liter, four-cylinder engine. It makes 147 horsepower and isn't going to get you going particularly quickly. The X-Line SX, however, comes with a punchier turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 190 horses instead. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available across the trim lineup. Every model gets an eight-speed automatic. A hybrid model is also on the way, but we review that separately. As mentioned, the Seltos isn't designed to be particularly sporty. While rugged, the X-Line models aren't going to take you any further off-road than the average crossover either. Where the Seltos does excel, though, is in comfort. The ride quality is fantastic, and Kia has done a good job of insulating the cabin from any road noise. Larger and more premium than the Corolla Cross, for the same amount of money The Toyota badge on the front of the Corolla Cross does a lot of heavy lifting. A lot of buyers have stuck to the small crossover because of the brand's reputation. However, alternatives are starting to get too good to ignore. The new Kia Seltos starts at around the same price as a Corolla Cross, but it comes with more tech, better build quality, and a more practical interior. Kia is taking the fight to Toyota, and we think a lot of buyers will be willing to make the switch to the Korean brand.