2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Kia Seltos
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the newly designed 2025 Chevrolet Equinox and the refreshed 2026 Kia Seltos often comes down to balancing size against significant cost savings. If you need more passenger and cargo room, the Equinox, at 183.2 inches long, provides a noticeably bigger footprint than the Seltos’s 172.6 inches, translating to 29.8 cu ft of cargo space versus 26.6 cu ft. However, this extra utility costs you upfront, as the Equinox starts at $28,600 compared to the Seltos's lower $23,690 MSRP—a difference of $4,910. Performance seekers will note the Equinox has 175 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, easily outpacing the Seltos's 147 hp. Yet, for daily driving economics, the Seltos pulls ahead with a 31 MPG combined rating, outperforming the Equinox's 27 MPG combined, which is crucial for high-mileage commuters looking to save money over the long haul.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Kia Seltos
The 2026 Kia Seltos wins for commuters due to its superior combined 31 MPG fuel economy compared to the Equinox's 27 MPG.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offers a more spacious interior, boasting 29.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity against the Seltos's 26.6 cubic feet.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox delivers substantially more motivation with 175 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque versus the Seltos's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft.
2026 Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos offers better overall value, starting at $23,690, which is $4,910 less than the base Equinox.
Choose the Chevrolet Equinox if...
- You prioritize on-road performance and want the extra power provided by 175 hp.
- You frequently carry a lot of gear and benefit from the larger 29.8 cu ft maximum cargo volume.
- You prefer a larger vehicle structure, evidenced by its 183.2-inch overall length.
Choose the Kia Seltos if...
- Saving money upfront is critical, given the $4,910 MSRP difference between the two models.
- You want the best possible gas mileage, as the Seltos achieves 34 MPG highway.
- You don't mind slightly less power in exchange for the better efficiency, with a 31 MPG combined rating.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Chevrolet Equinox | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.2" | 172.6" |
| Width | 74.9" | 70.9" |
| Height | 65.6" | 63.6" |
| Wheelbase | 107.5" | 103.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | — |
| Dual Front 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| 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 Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 175 hp @ 5600 rpm | 147 hp @ 6200 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/28 MPG | 28/34 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 31 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 384.8/414.4 mi. | 369.6/448.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.8 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Chevrolet | 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 | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cargo Floor Mats | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 11.3 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 | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.9 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.2 in. | 53.0 in. |
| Seat Material: 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 |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.2 in. | 38.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.9 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.8 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 51.7 in. | 48.8 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R17 | P215/55R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 17 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Chevrolet | 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 Chevrolet Equinox and 2026 Kia Seltos.
What is the real-world difference in driving dynamics between the Equinox and Seltos?
The 2025 Equinox definitely feels punchier on the road, putting out 175 hp, while the 2026 Seltos offers a more modest 147 hp. This means the Equinox will accelerate quicker when merging or passing slower traffic.
Which crossover is better for long road trips based on fuel costs?
The Seltos is the clear winner for fuel savings, delivering 31 MPG combined versus the Equinox's 27 MPG combined. Over thousands of miles, that 4 MPG difference adds up significantly when both use regular unleaded fuel.
Is the Equinox significantly larger inside than the Seltos?
Yes, the size difference is noticeable; the Equinox measures 183.2 inches long, whereas the Seltos is only 172.6 inches long. This results in 29.8 cu ft of cargo room in the Chevy compared to 26.6 cu ft in the Kia.
How much more expensive is the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox at base trim?
The Equinox carries a substantial price premium right off the lot. Its MSRP starts at $28,600, which is $4,910 more expensive than the Seltos starting price of $23,690.
Do either of these models offer All-Wheel Drive (AWD) options?
Based on the specifications provided, both the base Equinox and Seltos are listed with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and Continuously Variable Transmissions. You would need to check higher trim levels for AWD availability.
Which car feels more powerful when accelerating from a stop?
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox will feel stronger off the line, providing 184 lb-ft of torque compared to the Seltos’s 132 lb-ft of torque, giving it better pulling power.
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