2025 Toyota Corolla Cross vs 2026 Kia Seltos

$24,135 · Crossover

$23,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross and the 2026 Kia Seltos often boils down to balancing everyday power needs against sheer cargo practicality. If zipping around town with a bit more pep is your priority, the Corolla Cross packs 169 hp, easily outgunning the Seltos's 147 hp. However, the Seltos wins on sheer carrying capability, offering 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Corolla Cross's 24 cu ft. Fuel economy is extremely close, with the Corolla Cross achieving a 32 MPG combined rating versus the Seltos's 31 MPG combined. Pricing is neck-and-neck, starting at $24,135 for the Toyota and $23,690 for the Kia. Ultimately, deciding comes down to whether you prefer the slightly thriftier, stronger engine from Toyota or the marginally larger storage area offered by Kia in these compact crossover packages.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

The 2025 Corolla Cross has slightly better highway MPG (33 MPG) and more horsepower (169 hp) for easier merging.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Seltos

The 2026 Seltos provides slightly more usable space with 26.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to 24 cu ft in the Corolla Cross.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

The 22 hp advantage and 151 lb-ft of torque mean the Corolla Cross offers a more responsive driving experience.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos has a lower starting MSRP at $23,690, making it the initial budget winner.

Choose the Toyota Corolla Cross if...

You prioritize responsiveness, as the 169 hp engine provides noticeably more power.
You want the slightly higher combined fuel economy rating of 32 MPG.
You prefer the marginally larger footprint provided by its 176.1-inch length.

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

Your top priority is maximizing storage, thanks to its 26.6 cu ft cargo area.
You are looking to save a bit upfront with the lower MSRP of $23,690.
You prioritize high-speed highway cruising, given its slightly better 34 MPG highway rating.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Corolla Cross	Kia Seltos
Length	176.1"	172.6"
Width	71.9"	70.9"
Height	64.9"	63.6"
Wheelbase	103.9"	103.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	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	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Automatic Headlights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	169 hp @ 6600 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	151 lb-ft @ 4400 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	Toyota	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	31/33 MPG	28/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	32 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	384.4/409.2 mi.	369.6/448.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Infotainment Display	8.0 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	With Real Time Traffic	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Front Head Room	38.6 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	42.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	52.7 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	52.6 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	Toyota	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.0 in.	38.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	32.0 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	52.4 in.	54.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	43.8 in.	48.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P215/65R17	P215/55R17
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Toyota	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	2 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 25000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross and 2026 Kia Seltos.

Is the 2025 Corolla Cross significantly faster than the 2026 Seltos?

Yes, the Corolla Cross has a noticeable power edge, delivering 169 hp versus the Seltos's 147 hp. This 22 hp difference will translate to quicker acceleration during daily driving maneuvers.

Which crossover offers more room for hauling gear?

The 2026 Kia Seltos wins on pure volume, offering 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The Toyota Corolla Cross is close, offering 24 cu ft.

How do the fuel economy figures compare between these two small SUVs?

They are very close, but the 2025 Corolla Cross has a slight advantage with a 32 MPG combined rating (31 city/33 highway). The Seltos is right behind it at 31 MPG combined.

Since both use CVTs, will the driving feel be identical?

While both utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission, the Corolla Cross’s higher torque output (151 lb-ft vs. 132 lb-ft) should make it feel less strained when the CVT modulates engine speed.

If budget is key, which one should I look at first?

The 2026 Kia Seltos carries a lower entry price point at $23,690 compared to the Corolla Cross's $24,135 MSRP.

Are both models standard with front-wheel drive?

Yes, based on the provided specifications for the entry-level trims, both the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross and the 2026 Kia Seltos come standard with front-wheel drive.