2025 Kia Seltos vs 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the nimble 2025 Kia Seltos and the larger 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander often boils down to prioritizing space versus efficiency and cost. The Seltos starts at a competitive MSRP of $24,690, significantly undercutting the Outlander’s $29,995 price tag—a difference of over $5,300. For city driving, the Seltos is the clear winner, boasting 27 MPG city versus the Outlander's 24 MPG city, even though both share a 29 MPG combined rating for the Seltos (vs. 27 combined for the FWD Outlander). Performance enthusiasts will note the Outlander delivers substantially more power with 181 hp compared to the Seltos’s 146 hp. However, the Seltos’s smaller footprint (172.6 inches long) makes it easier to maneuver, while the Outlander’s larger dimensions (185.8 inches long) hint at its greater capacity, though its reported cargo volume is surprisingly smaller at 10.9 cu ft versus the Seltos's 26.6 cu ft.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Seltos
The 2025 Kia Seltos is better for commuters due to its $5,305 lower entry price and slightly better overall fuel economy at 29 combined MPG.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander
Despite its perplexing cargo rating, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is structurally larger, offering better interior space potential for growing families with its greater length and height.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander wins the power battle, offering 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque against the Seltos’s 146 hp and 132 lb-ft.
2025 Kia Seltos
The 2025 Kia Seltos provides better base value with its lower MSRP and superior city fuel economy rating (27 MPG).
Choose the Kia Seltos if...
- You must keep the initial purchase price down, as the Seltos starts $5,305 cheaper.
- Your daily route involves tight city streets where its 172.6-inch length is beneficial.
- Maximizing fuel efficiency is a priority, given its 27 City MPG rating.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander if...
- You require the extra power provided by the Outlander's 181 hp engine.
- You prefer the traditional feel of a front-wheel-drive configuration.
- You value the increased physical presence provided by the Outlander's larger dimensions (185.8 inches long and 68.7 inches high).
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Seltos | Mitsubishi Outlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 172.6" | 185.8" |
| Width | 70.9" | 74.7" |
| Height | 63.4" | 68.7" |
| Wheelbase | 103.5" | 106.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-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 | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 146 hp @ 6200 rpm | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 3600 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 | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 27/31 MPG | 24/31 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 356.4/409.2 mi. | 348.0/449.5 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 14.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push Button Start | — | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 8 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.5 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 53.5 in. | 54.0 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 Lumbar Support | — | Power |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.4 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.0 in. | 39.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.7 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.8 in. | 53.3 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P215/55R | P235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 30000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Seltos and 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander.
Which car is more affordable to buy right now?
The 2025 Kia Seltos is the clear choice for budget-conscious buyers, starting at $24,690. This is $5,305 less than the starting price of the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander at $29,995.
How do the engine performances compare between the two crossovers?
The Outlander offers significantly more output, delivering 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. The Seltos is less powerful, producing 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque.
Is the Seltos substantially more fuel-efficient than the Outlander?
Yes, for routine commuting, the Seltos is slightly better, achieving 29 combined MPG versus the Outlander's 27 combined MPG. The Seltos also boasts better city mileage at 27 MPG compared to the Outlander's 24 MPG.
If I plan to haul a lot of gear, which vehicle offers better cargo space?
Based on the provided specifications, the Kia Seltos is far superior for cargo, listing 26.6 cubic feet. Curiously, the much larger Mitsubishi Outlander reports only 10.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Does the Seltos use a less expensive type of fuel?
No, both vehicles use regular unleaded fuel, so there is no difference in required fuel type for either the Seltos or the Outlander.
Which car is physically smaller and better for parking?
The Kia Seltos is the smaller vehicle in every dimension; it is 172.6 inches long compared to the Outlander's 185.8 inches, making the Seltos easier to maneuver and park.
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