Compare the2027 Kia Seltos VS 2026 Ford Bronco Sport

Both the Seltos and the Bronco Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Seltos comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bronco Sport’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Seltos 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Bronco Sport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Bronco Sport ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Seltos’ engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Bronco Sport’s camshafts. If the Bronco Sport’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 1 place higher in reliability than Ford.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (190 vs. 180) than the Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

			MPG
Seltos
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
Bronco Sport
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy
		Sasquatch 1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	23 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Seltos uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Bronco Sport Badlands requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Seltos has a standard locking fuel door. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Bronco Sport. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Seltos higher (6 out of 10) than the Ford Bronco Sport (5 to 6). This means the Seltos produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bronco Sport every 15,000 miles.

The Seltos has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Sport’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Seltos X-Line SX has standard 19-inch wheels. The Bronco Sport’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For better maneuverability, the Seltos’ turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the Bronco Sport’s (35.2 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Ford Bronco Sport.

The Seltos is 7.4 inches shorter in height than the Bronco Sport, making the Seltos much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For excellent aerodynamics, the Seltos has standard flush composite headlights. The Bronco Sport has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Seltos has 2.1 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear hip room than the Bronco Sport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The Bronco Sport’s rear seats don’t recline.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Seltos’ power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Seltos’ power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

is standard on the Seltos, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Bronco Sport.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Seltos’ standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Bronco Sport’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

When the Seltos X-Line SX with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Bronco Sport’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Seltos X-Line SX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to the Ford Bronco Sport, the Kia Seltos eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Seltos S/EX/X-Line S/X-Line SX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Seltos is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.