2025 Buick Envista vs 2026 Kia Seltos

$23,800 · Crossover

$23,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Buick Envista and the 2026 Kia Seltos lies in cargo volume, where the Seltos provides 26.6 cu ft compared to the Envista's 20.7 cu ft—a difference of nearly 6 cubic feet. Power figures favor the Seltos, boasting 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque against the Envista's 137 hp and higher 162 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is nearly identical, with the Seltos slightly ahead at 31 combined MPG versus the Envista's 30 combined MPG, though the Seltos achieves a higher highway rating of 34 MPG. Priced nearly identically at $23,800 for the Envista and $23,690 for the Seltos, value assessment hinges on utility versus performance feel. The Envista is substantially longer at 182.6 inches, while the Seltos is taller by 2.4 inches (63.6 vs 61.2 inches).

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos wins for commuters due to its slightly superior combined MPG rating of 31 versus the Buick Envista's 30.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Seltos

The Seltos is the better choice for families because it offers a larger cargo capacity of 26.6 cu ft compared to the Envista's 20.7 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Buick Envista

Enthusiasts will favor the Buick Envista for its higher torque output of 162 lb-ft compared to the Seltos' 132 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Seltos

The Seltos provides superior utility with greater cargo space and slightly better fuel economy for $110 less MSRP.

Choose the Buick Envista if...

You prioritize higher torque (162 lb-ft) for potentially quicker low-end responsiveness.
You prefer the longer exterior footprint, measuring 182.6 inches in overall length.
You are comfortable using E85 flex-fuel, as the Envista supports it while the Seltos requires regular unleaded.

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

You need maximum storage, as the Seltos offers 26.6 cubic feet of cargo volume.
You desire the highest horsepower rating, with the Seltos producing 147 hp versus 137 hp.
You seek the highest potential highway fuel efficiency, rated at 34 MPG compared to 32 MPG for the Envista.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Buick Envista	Kia Seltos
Length	182.6"	172.6"
Width	71.5"	70.9"
Height	61.2"	63.6"
Wheelbase	106.0"	103.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Buick	Kia
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Buick	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	1.2 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	137 hp @ 5000 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Number of Valves	12	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Buick	Kia
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Buick	Kia
Fuel Type	flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/32 MPG	28/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/422.4 mi.	369.6/448.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Buick	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	—
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Buick	Kia
Infotainment Display	11.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Buick	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Buick	Kia
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	52.3 in.	53.0 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette/Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Buick	Kia
Rear Head Room	37.3 in.	38.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.5 in.	54.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	45.8 in.	48.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Buick	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.5 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/60R17	P215/55R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Buick	Kia
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Buick	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Buick Envista and 2026 Kia Seltos.

Which crossover offers superior rear storage space for luggage or gear?

The 2026 Kia Seltos is the clear winner in utility, providing 26.6 cu ft of cargo capacity. The 2025 Buick Envista trails significantly, offering only 20.7 cu ft behind its second row.

Is there a significant difference in price between the two models?

The pricing is extremely close, with the 2026 Kia Seltos having an MSRP of $23,690 and the 2025 Buick Envista starting at $23,800. This minimal $110 difference means cost is not a primary differentiator.

How do the engines compare in terms of power output metrics?

The Seltos outputs higher peak horsepower at 147 hp compared to the Envista’s 137 hp. However, the Envista generates substantially more torque at 162 lb-ft, versus the Seltos’ 132 lb-ft.

Which vehicle provides better fuel economy for daily driving?

The Seltos edges out the competition slightly, achieving 31 combined MPG (28 city/34 highway) compared to the Envista's 30 combined MPG (28 city/32 highway). The Seltos is better on the highway.

Do these FWD crossovers have similar dimensions?

No, the Envista is noticeably longer at 182.6 inches, while the Seltos sits taller at 63.6 inches, making it 2.4 inches higher than the Envista's 61.2 inches.

What is the main powertrain difference, transmission-wise?

The Buick Envista uses a conventional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Conversely, the Kia Seltos employs a Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic (CVT) transmission.