2026 Kia Seltos vs 2026 Nissan Kicks

$23,690 · Crossover

$22,430 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the 2026 Kia Seltos and the 2026 Nissan Kicks often boils down to prioritizing price versus raw space. Both are fantastic entry-level crossovers, managing an identical 31 MPG combined, but they diverge in key areas. The Kicks pulls ahead immediately with a lower MSRP of $22,430 compared to the Seltos' $23,690, offering significant immediate savings. However, the Seltos fights back with a slightly more potent 147 horsepower engine, though both use regular unleaded fuel. Where the Kicks truly dominates is utility; it boasts 30 cu ft of cargo space, easily swallowing more gear than the Seltos' 26.6 cu ft. While both vehicles share the same width at 70.9 inches, the Kicks is marginally taller at 64.2 inches, potentially offering slightly better headroom for front passengers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks wins for commuters due to its lower initial MSRP of $22,430, offering better entry-level cost savings.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks provides substantially more usability for families thanks to its superior 30 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Seltos' 26.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos appeals slightly more to enthusiasts with its higher 147 hp output versus the Kicks' 141 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks provides better overall value by offering more cargo space and a lower starting price.

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

You prefer slightly more power on the highway, as the Seltos offers 147 hp.
You want the marginally better highway fuel economy rating of 34 MPG.
You appreciate a slightly longer vehicle, with the Seltos measuring 172.6 inches in length.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Sticking strictly to budget is the priority, as the Kicks starts $1,260 cheaper at $22,430.
You need maximum utility, as the Kicks delivers 30 cu ft of cargo space.
You want marginally more torque for city driving feel, as the Kicks has 140 lb-ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Seltos	Nissan Kicks
Length	172.6"	171.9"
Width	70.9"	70.9"
Height	63.6"	64.2"
Wheelbase	103.5"	104.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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	141 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	140 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/34 MPG	28/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/448.8 mi.	333.2/416.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	11.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Nissan
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	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	42.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	54.7 in.
Front Hip Room	53.0 in.	52.4 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	Kia	Nissan
Rear Head Room	38.4 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.9 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	48.8 in.	50.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P215/55R17	215/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Kia Seltos and 2026 Nissan Kicks.

Which crossover is better for hauling gear, the Seltos or the Kicks?

The 2026 Nissan Kicks is the clear winner here, offering 30 cu ft of cargo capacity. This gives it a significant advantage over the 2026 Kia Seltos, which provides 26.6 cu ft behind the rear seats.

Do these vehicles require premium fuel?

Fortunately, no. Both the Kia Seltos and the Nissan Kicks are designed to run perfectly fine on regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs predictable.

What is the price difference between the base models?

The Nissan Kicks has a starting MSRP of $22,430, making it $1,260 less expensive than the Kia Seltos, which begins at $23,690.

How do their engines compare in performance metrics?

The Seltos has a slight edge in horsepower with 147 hp compared to the Kicks’ 141 hp, although the Kicks counters with slightly more torque at 140 lb-ft versus the Seltos’ 132 lb-ft.

Are their fuel economy ratings significantly different?

No, both crossovers achieve an identical 31 MPG combined. The Seltos is rated for 28/34 MPG city/highway, while the Kicks is rated for 28/35 MPG, meaning highway efficiency is nearly a wash.

Which vehicle feels a bit taller from the driver's seat?

The 2026 Nissan Kicks has a slightly higher exterior height of 64.2 inches compared to the Seltos' 63.6 inches, which might translate to a subtly better vantage point for the driver.