2026 Chevrolet Trax vs 2026 Kia Seltos

$21,600 · Crossover

$23,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the brand new 2026 Chevrolet Trax and the recently updated 2026 Kia Seltos often comes down to budget versus a slight edge in refinement. Buyers seeking the absolute lowest entry price will instantly notice the Trax's $21,600 MSRP compared to the Seltos starting at $23,690. While the Seltos offers a bit more zip with 147 hp versus the Trax's 137 hp, the Chevy pulls ahead slightly on efficiency, achieving 30 combined MPG against the Seltos' 31 combined MPG—a very close race. Space-wise, the Seltos ekes out a win in cargo volume, offering 26.6 cubic feet compared to the Trax's 25.6 cubic feet, although the Trax is physically longer at 178.6 inches. Ultimately, these two small crossovers present a classic trade-off between the Trax's affordability and the Seltos' slight power and utility advantage.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Seltos

The 2026 Kia Seltos edges out slightly in fuel economy with 34 MPG highway versus the Trax's 32 MPG highway.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Seltos

The Seltos offers a bit more practicality with 26.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Trax's 25.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Seltos

The Seltos provides more output, generating 147 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque compared to the Trax's 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax presents a stronger value proposition with a significantly lower MSRP of $21,600.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

You prioritize the lowest upfront cost, as the Trax starts at just $21,600.
You need a slightly longer vehicle body for overall length (178.6 inches vs. 172.6 inches).
You prefer the feel of a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

You want marginally better highway driving range due to its 34 MPG highway rating.
You need the maximum available cargo space, as the Seltos offers 26.6 cu ft.
You prefer a marginally punchier engine, as the Seltos generates 147 hp.

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 2026 Chevrolet Trax and 2026 Kia Seltos.

How much cheaper is the 2026 Chevrolet Trax compared to the 2026 Kia Seltos?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax has a lower starting MSRP of $21,600, making it $2,090 less expensive than the 2026 Kia Seltos, which starts at $23,690.

Which vehicle is technically more powerful?

The 2026 Kia Seltos has the edge in power output, producing 147 horsepower compared to the Trax's 137 horsepower, although both have 162 lb-ft of torque.

Are these crossovers efficient for highway driving?

Yes, both are efficient, but the Kia Seltos pulls ahead slightly on the highway with a rating of 34 MPG compared to the Trax's 32 MPG highway rating; their combined ratings are nearly identical at 31 MPG and 30 MPG, respectively.