Compare the2027 Kia Seltos VS 2026 Nissan Kicks

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

Both the Seltos and Kicks have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Seltos S/EX/X-Line S/X-Line SX has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Seltos and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 and around view monitors.

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 Kicks’ 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 Nissan covers the Kicks. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Kicks ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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 Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

The Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (147 vs. 141) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Seltos X-Line SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (190 vs. 141) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Seltos X-Line SX 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Seltos	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	8.2 sec	9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.7 sec	29.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	9 sec	9.8 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4.7 sec	4.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.8 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.4 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86 MPH	82 MPH
Top Speed	132 MPH	120 MPH

The Seltos has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

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

	Seltos AWD	Kicks
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	11 inches

For better traction, the Seltos X-Line SX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (235/45R19 vs. 225/45R19).

The Seltos offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kicks; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Seltos’ wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Kicks (105.9 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Seltos is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

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 Kicks doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Seltos has 7.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (103.4 vs. 95.7).

The Seltos has .8 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 4.5 inches more rear legroom, 3.9 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

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

The Seltos has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 60 cubic feet).

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 Kicks doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

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 Kicks 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 Kicks 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 Kicks 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. Push Button Start standard on the Kicks only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The Seltos’ driver power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kicks’ power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Seltos’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan offers heated mirrors for extra charge, but only on the Kicks SV/SR.

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 Kicks’ 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 Kicks doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Seltos’ optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Seltos and the Kicks 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 Kicks SV/SR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.