2025 Chevrolet Trax vs 2025 Kia Seltos

$20,500 · Crossover

$24,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Chevrolet Trax and the 2025 Kia Seltos often boils down to budget versus capability. If saving money upfront is critical, the Trax is immediately appealing with its $20,500 MSRP, significantly undercutting the Seltos's $24,690 starting price by over $4,000. While the Trax is more affordable, it delivers slightly better efficiency, achieving 30 MPG combined versus the Seltos's 29 MPG combined, while using only 137 hp. However, the Seltos offers a modest power advantage with 146 hp and crucially includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which the FWD-only Trax lacks. Surprisingly, the slightly smaller Seltos (172.6 inches long vs. Trax's 178.6 inches) actually ekes out slightly more utility with 26.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Trax's 25.6 cu ft, making the extra cost perhaps worthwhile for those needing traction.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax wins for commuters due to its lower entry price and marginally better combined fuel economy of 30 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Seltos

The Seltos is preferred for families because it offers standard AWD for varied weather conditions and slightly more cargo space at 26.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Seltos

The Seltos appeals more to enthusiasts because it offers more horsepower at 146 hp and comes standard with AWD.

💰 Best Value

2025 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax delivers superior value by costing $4,190 less MSRP while still offering decent efficiency and adequate power.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

Your primary concern is initial budget, as the Trax starts at just $20,500.
You prioritize highway cruising efficiency, achieving 32 MPG highway versus the Seltos's 31 MPG.
You do not require All-Wheel Drive, as the Trax is front-wheel drive only.

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

You live in an area requiring All-Wheel Drive capability, which is standard on the Seltos.
You need slightly more usable storage, as the Seltos offers 26.6 cu ft of cargo space.
You prefer a bit more punch from the engine, as the Seltos delivers 146 horsepower compared to the Trax's 137 hp.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Chevrolet Trax	Kia Seltos
Length	178.6"	172.6"
Width	71.8"	70.9"
Height	61.4"	63.4"
Wheelbase	106.0"	103.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Chevrolet	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	✓	✓
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 Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	1.2 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 4
Base Engine Type	flex-fuel (FFV)	gas
Horsepower	137 hp @ 5000 rpm	146 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	Chevrolet	Kia
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/32 MPG	27/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/422.4 mi.	356.4/409.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	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
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	52.1 in.	53.5 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

Rearseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.1 in.	38.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.3 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	45.8 in.	52.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/60R17	P215/55R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear 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 Trax and 2025 Kia Seltos.

What is the actual MSRP difference between the 2025 Trax and Seltos?

The 2025 Chevrolet Trax starts at a budget-friendly $20,500, while the 2025 Kia Seltos is priced at $24,690. This means the Trax undercuts the Seltos by $4,190 right off the line.

Which vehicle is more fuel-efficient for daily driving?

The Trax offers a slight edge in fuel economy, achieving a combined 30 MPG (28 city/32 highway). The Seltos trails slightly at 29 MPG combined (27 city/31 highway), though both use regular unleaded fuel.

Does the Kia Seltos offer an advantage in power or drive type?

Yes, the Seltos provides 146 horsepower, which is 9 hp more than the Trax's 137 hp, and importantly, the Seltos comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, while the Trax is front-wheel drive only.

Is one of these crossovers significantly larger for hauling cargo?

Despite being slightly shorter in overall length (172.6 inches vs. Trax's 178.6 inches), the Seltos actually manages to offer marginally more space, holding 26.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Trax's 25.6 cu ft.

Which car is better if I need a quick, responsive transmission?

The Trax utilizes a conventional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which some drivers prefer for a more predictable feel. The Seltos uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).

Are there major differences in size that affect parking ease?

The Seltos is noticeably narrower at 70.9 inches compared to the Trax's 71.8 inches, and it is also 10 inches shorter in length, which might make fitting into tight city parking spots marginally easier.