2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Kia Seltos

$28,145 · Crossover

$23,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical difference between the 2026 Ford Maverick and the 2026 Kia Seltos is the $4,455 MSRP gap, with the Seltos starting at $23,690 versus the Maverick's $28,145. This price delta heavily influences the value proposition, although the Maverick offers superior fuel economy at 38 combined MPG compared to the Seltos' 31 combined MPG, translating to approximately 7 MPG better efficiency. Performance metrics also diverge significantly: the Maverick produces 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque, substantially overshadowing the Seltos' 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. Dimensionally, the Maverick is notably larger, measuring 199.8 inches in length, whereas the Seltos sits at 172.6 inches. Buyers must weigh the Seltos' lower initial cost against the Maverick's superior power output and fuel efficiency.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Ford Maverick

The 2026 Ford Maverick achieves 38 combined MPG, significantly better than the Seltos' 31 combined MPG, leading to lower operational costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos, while smaller, offers a lower entry price of $23,690 and provides 26.6 cu ft of standard cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Ford Maverick

With 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque, the Maverick possesses 44 more horsepower than the Seltos.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos offers a substantially lower initial investment, priced $4,455 less than the competing Ford Maverick.

Choose the Ford Maverick if...

Fuel economy is paramount, given the Maverick's 38 combined MPG rating.
Higher performance is desired, due to the Maverick's 191 hp output.
A larger footprint is required, as the Maverick is 199.8 inches long versus 172.6 inches for the Seltos.

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

Minimizing the upfront purchase price is the primary concern, as it starts at $23,690.
A smaller exterior dimension (70.9 inches wide) is preferred for urban maneuvering.
Adequate utility is sufficient with the Seltos providing 26.6 cu ft of cargo space.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Maverick	Kia Seltos
Length	199.8"	172.6"
Width	72.6"	70.9"
Height	68.8"	63.6"
Wheelbase	121.1"	103.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Ford	Kia
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
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 Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Ford	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	hybrid	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 5600 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	155 lb-ft @ 4000 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	Ford	Kia
Transmission Type	electrically variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	42/35 MPG	28/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	38 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	579.6/483.0 mi.	369.6/448.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.8 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Ford	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	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Kia
Infotainment Display	13.2 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Kia
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	42.8 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	55.4 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	Ford	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	38.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.9 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	54.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.1 in.	48.8 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Steel	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	P215/55R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Ford	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	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Ford Maverick and 2026 Kia Seltos.

What is the performance gap between the 2026 Ford Maverick and the 2026 Kia Seltos?

The 2026 Ford Maverick has a substantial advantage in power, delivering 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. The 2026 Kia Seltos produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, making the Maverick significantly quicker in acceleration metrics.

How do these two crossovers compare on fuel efficiency?

The Maverick excels in efficiency with a 38 combined MPG rating, compared to the Seltos' 31 combined MPG. This difference of 7 MPG suggests lower running costs for the Maverick over extended mileage.

Which vehicle offers better overall value at purchase?

The Kia Seltos is the value leader based on MSRP, costing $23,690 compared to the Maverick's $28,145, saving the buyer $4,455 immediately.

Are the powertrains similar in these two front-wheel-drive crossovers?

While both use FWD, their transmissions differ slightly; the Maverick uses an electrically variable-speed automatic, whereas the Seltos utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.

How much larger is the 2026 Ford Maverick compared to the 2026 Kia Seltos?

The Maverick is substantially larger, being 199.8 inches long versus the Seltos' 172.6 inches, resulting in a difference of 27.2 inches in overall length. The Maverick is also notably taller at 68.8 inches.

Can I use regular unleaded fuel in both models?

Yes, both the 2026 Ford Maverick and the 2026 Kia Seltos are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping refueling costs straightforward for both owners.