Kia Forte vs. Kia Seltos
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Forte and Kia Seltos contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Kia Forte and the Kia Seltos.
In comparing the Kia Forte's and the Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The Kia Seltos has the advantage in the area of interior volume. The Kia Forte and Kia Seltos have the same base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Forte's and the Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte is a better car than the Kia Seltos.
Pricing: A used 2024 Kia Forte ranges from $16,601 to $23,988 while a used 2026 Kia Seltos is priced between $25,068 to $33,775. For a new model, the Kia Forte's price is between $20,016 and $26,625, with the Kia Seltos priced between $25,275 and $33,370.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Forte loses 39.3 percent of its value and the Kia Seltos loses 44.4 percent of its value. This means the Kia Forte retains 5.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Seltos.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the Kia Forte and the Kia Seltos makes 147 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Seltos, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Kia Forte, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Kia Seltos has higher safety ratings than the Kia Forte, with an average rating of 4.42 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$20,016 - $26,625
Starting MSRP:
$19,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$25,275 - $33,370
Starting MSRP:
$23,690
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$27,500
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$21,600 - $38,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$19,356
Price Range:
$16,601 - $23,988
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$26,717
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,053 - $44,102
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2,233
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
35,205
# Good or Great Deals:
567
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$29,579
Price Range:
$25,068 - $33,775
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$32,681
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$28,663 - $44,719
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$7,921
Depreciation %:
39.6%
Resale Value $:
$12,069
Residual Value %:
60.4%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
40%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
39.6% - 45.1%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$10,660
Depreciation %:
45%
Resale Value $:
$13,030
Residual Value %:
55%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact SUVs)
42.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
34.2% - 47.6%
Kia Forte Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 10
Kia Seltos Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
7.4 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Forte
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.8 - 15.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
11.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Seltos
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
12.5
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
9.1 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.6 - 22.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Kia Forte Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
19 out of / 29Kia Seltos Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 54Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
11 out of / 21Ranking
14 out of / 66Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
23 out of / 66Ranking
32 out of / 66Ranking
37 out of / 66Ranking
42 out of / 66Ranking
42 out of / 66Ranking
43 out of / 66Ranking
45 out of / 66Ranking
48 out of / 66Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Forte Trim Levels
GT, GT-Line, LX, LXS
Kia Seltos Trim Levels
EX, LX, S, SX
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.42 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 39 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
392 / 546 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.3 inches
Cargo Space:
15.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
96.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.9 inches
Cargo Space:
26.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
126.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2769 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2937 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
63.6 inches
Length:
172.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
195/60R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Gray
Gravity Gray
White
Clear White
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Fusion Black
Gray
Steel Gray
White
Snow White Pearl
Blue
Dark Ocean Blue
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Black
