2025 Chevrolet Trax vs 2026 Kia Seltos

$20,500 · Crossover

$23,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The perennial question for budget-conscious crossover buyers is whether to save upfront or invest slightly more for perceived quality and power. Comparing the 2025 Chevrolet Trax ($20,500 MSRP) against the 2026 Kia Seltos ($23,690 MSRP) highlights this trade-off. The Trax wins the affordability contest by a substantial $3,190 margin, making it immediately appealing for budget setters. While the Trax offers slightly better acceleration grunt with 162 lb-ft of torque compared to the Seltos's 132 lb-ft, the Seltos edges out the Chevy in efficiency, achieving a combined 31 MPG versus the Trax's 30 MPG. The Seltos also boasts a marginally larger cargo area at 26.6 cubic feet versus the Trax's 25.6 cu ft. Ultimately, the choice hinges on prioritizing a lower entry price (Trax) or enjoying marginally superior efficiency and space (Seltos).

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax’s significantly lower MSRP of $20,500 makes it the immediate financial winner for routine commuting.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Seltos

The Seltos offers slightly better utility with 26.6 cu ft of cargo capacity and a marginally better 34 MPG highway rating.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax delivers more low-end punch with 162 lb-ft of torque compared to the Seltos's 132 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax provides nearly comparable utility and efficiency metrics for a $3,190 lower starting price.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

Your absolute top priority is keeping the initial purchase price low, starting at just $20,500 MSRP.
You prefer the slightly punchier torque figure of 162 lb-ft available in the Trax.
You are comfortable with the shorter vehicle length (178.6 inches) in tight city parking situations.

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

You need the maximum utility, as the Seltos provides a larger 26.6 cu ft of standard cargo capacity.
You seek slightly better highway cruising economy, netting 34 MPG compared to the Trax's 32 MPG.
You prefer the slightly taller stance, as the Seltos is 63.6 inches high versus the Trax's 61.4 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Chevrolet Trax	Kia Seltos
Length	178.6"	172.6"
Width	71.8"	70.9"
Height	61.4"	63.6"
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	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	Chevrolet	Kia
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable 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)	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	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.	53.0 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

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.	54.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	45.8 in.	48.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Steel	Painted Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Diameter	17 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
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Chevrolet	Kia
Front Suspension Type	Independent	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 Trax and 2026 Kia Seltos.

Is the 2025 Chevy Trax powerful enough compared to the 2026 Kia Seltos?

The Trax actually produces more peak torque at 162 lb-ft compared to the Seltos's 132 lb-ft, suggesting better low-speed acceleration. However, the Seltos has slightly higher horsepower at 147 hp versus the Trax's 137 hp.

How significant is the difference in fuel economy between these two crossovers?

The difference is marginal; the Seltos achieves 31 MPG combined (28/34), edging out the Trax's 30 MPG combined (28/32). Both use regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs similar.

Which vehicle is physically larger, and does it translate to more space?

The Trax is longer at 178.6 inches, but the Seltos is slightly taller at 63.6 inches and offers 1.0 cubic foot more cargo space (26.6 cu ft vs. 25.6 cu ft).

Why is the 2026 Kia Seltos significantly more expensive than the Trax?

The Seltos carries an MSRP of $23,690, which is $3,190 more than the Trax's $20,500 starting price. This premium likely accounts for its slight advantages in horsepower and cargo volume.

Do either of these vehicles offer All-Wheel Drive?

Based on the provided specifications, both the standard configurations for the 2025 Trax and the 2026 Seltos are listed with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) only.

What kind of transmissions do these two entry-level crossovers use?

The Chevrolet Trax uses a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. In contrast, the Kia Seltos utilizes a Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic Transmission (CVT).