Compare the2027 Kia Seltos VS 2027 Hyundai Kona

Both the Seltos and the Kona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 2 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (190 vs. 147) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 132) than the Kona SE/SEL Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the Kona:

			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
Kona
	FWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/29 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/29 hwy

The Seltos has a tether attaching its gas cap to prevent its loss. The Kona’s gas cap isn’t tethered, so it can be left at a gas station if the driver forgets to screw the cap back in.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Seltos’ wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Kona (105.9 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The Seltos has 2.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona (103.4 vs. 101.2).

The Seltos has .6 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .8 inches more rear legroom, 1.6 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona.

The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona with its rear seat up (27.8 vs. 25.5 cubic feet). The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 63.7 cubic feet).

Standard on the Seltos uses 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. The Kona doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

When two different drivers share the Seltos X-Line SX, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kona doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 Kona doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

On a hot day the Seltos’ driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Kona can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Seltos’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Kona SEL/Limited.

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 Kona’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Seltos and the Kona offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Seltos offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Kona’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.