2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Kia Seltos

$24,550 · Crossover

$24,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Kona explodes onto the scene with sharper styling and an efficiency edge, boasting a superior 31 combined MPG from its 147 hp engine, making it the pragmatic choice for daily grinding. In contrast, the 2025 Kia Seltos stands slightly taller and offers standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capability right from the base trim, pairing its 146 hp output with greater utility. While both share similar MSRPs—Kona at $24,550 and Seltos at $24,690—the Kona prioritizes fuel savings, delivering an impressive 29/34 MPG split. However, the Seltos edges out its sibling in raw space, offering 26.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Kona's 25.5 cu ft. Despite nearly identical power figures (132 lb-ft of torque), the inherent FWD nature of the base Kona clashes with the Seltos's standard AWD, defining the core difference in their appeal: efficiency versus sure-footed traction.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Kona wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 31 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Seltos

The 2025 Seltos appeals more to families as it provides slightly more standard cargo space at 26.6 cu ft and standard AWD.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Seltos

Enthusiasts might favor the Seltos for its standard All-Wheel Drive capability, offering better traction potential.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Kona

The Kona offers marginally better fuel efficiency for $140 less MSRP, giving it a slight edge in base value.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

You prioritize saving money at the pump, benefiting from 34 highway MPG.
You want the lowest entry price point at $24,550 MSRP.
You prefer a slightly more compact footprint for city maneuvering (171.3 inches long).

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

All-Wheel Drive capability is essential for your driving conditions, as it is standard.
You need the maximum usable space, utilizing its 26.6 cu ft cargo volume.
You prefer a slightly taller stance, as the Seltos has a greater height of 63.4 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Kona	Kia Seltos
Length	171.3"	172.6"
Width	71.9"	70.9"
Height	62.2"	63.4"
Wheelbase	104.7"	103.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention 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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	146 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 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

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	29/34 MPG	27/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	359.6/421.6 mi.	356.4/409.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	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	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.8 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 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

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.3 in.	38.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.2 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.4 in.	52.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R17	P215/55R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Kona and 2025 Kia Seltos.

How significant is the fuel economy difference between the 2025 Kona and Seltos?

The 2025 Hyundai Kona is the clear winner for fuel sippers, achieving 31 combined MPG (29/34 City/Highway). Conversely, the standard AWD on the Kia Seltos results in a lower rating of 29 combined MPG (27/31 City/Highway).

Which crossover offers more interior room for gear?

The 2025 Kia Seltos holds the advantage in cargo capacity, providing 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The 2025 Hyundai Kona offers 25.5 cubic feet, a difference of 1.1 cubic feet.

Are the horsepower and torque figures noticeably different?

No, the standard powertrains are virtually identical on paper; both vehicles produce 132 lb-ft of torque, with the Kona making 147 hp and the Seltos making 146 hp.

What drives the cost difference between the base models?

The 2025 Kia Seltos is priced slightly higher at $24,690 compared to the Kona's $24,550, likely reflecting the inclusion of standard All-Wheel Drive.

Does the transmission type affect performance between the two models?

Both the Kona and the Seltos utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission for the base engine variants, suggesting a similar approach to managing the modest power output.

What is the main reason to choose the Kona’s FWD over the Seltos’s AWD?

The primary reason to opt for the Kona's standard Front Wheel Drive configuration is optimization for fuel economy, yielding better MPG numbers for daily driving where AWD is not necessary.