Compare the2027 Kia Seltos VS 2026 Mazda CX-30

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Seltos’ standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-30 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Seltos and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 CX-30’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 Mazda covers the CX-30. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-30 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 46 percent more Kia dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Seltos’ warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Seltos has a standard 150-amp alternator. The CX-30’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 4 places higher in reliability than Mazda.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (190 vs. 186) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the CX-30:

			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
CX-30
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Seltos uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Seltos higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-30 (4 to 6). This means the Seltos produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-30 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Kia Seltos X-Line SX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-30.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Seltos AWD’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

	Seltos AWD	CX-30
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.6 inches

For better traction, the Seltos X-Line SX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-30 (235/45R19 vs. 215/65R16).

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 CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Seltos X-Line SX has standard 19-inch wheels. The CX-30’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Seltos has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Seltos has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Seltos has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Seltos flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Seltos’ wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the CX-30 (105.9 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Seltos is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-30.

For greater off-road capability the Seltos X-Line SX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-30 (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Seltos to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Mazda CX-30.

The front grille of the Seltos uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Seltos has 9.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (103.4 vs. 94.1).

The Seltos has 2.4 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (27.8 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Seltos’ liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Seltos’ standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-30 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The Seltos’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to traditional radio, the Kia Seltos’ standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus.

The Seltos is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Kia Seltos outsold the Mazda CX-30 by 114 units during 2025.