Kia K5 vs. Kia Seltos
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia K5 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 K5 and the Kia Seltos.
When we compare the Kia K5's and the Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the Kia K5 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Kia Seltos has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Kia K5's and the Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the Kia Seltos is a better car than the Kia K5.
Pricing: A used 2026 Kia K5 ranges from $29,328 to $34,788 while a used 2026 Kia Seltos is priced between $25,068 to $33,775. For a new model, the Kia K5's price is between $28,490 and $39,559, 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 K5 loses 46.9 percent of its value and the Kia Seltos loses 44.4 percent of its value. This means the Kia Seltos retains 2.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia K5.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia K5’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Kia Seltos base engine makes 147 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Seltos, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Kia K5, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Kia K5 has higher safety ratings than the Kia Seltos, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.42 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
28490 - 39559
Starting MSRP:
27390
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
27345
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
27300 - 27390
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
25275 - 33370
Starting MSRP:
23690
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
27500
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
21600 - 38900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
32511
Price Range:
29328 - 34788
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
32511
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
32511 - 32511
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
29579
Price Range:
25068 - 33775
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
32681
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
28663 - 44719
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
12966
Depreciation %:
0.47338325
Resale Value $:
14424
Residual Value %:
0.5266167500000001
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)
0.46625448
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)
0.46625331 - 0.47338325
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
10660
Depreciation %:
0.44996468
Resale Value $:
13030
Residual Value %:
0.55003532
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact SUVs)
0.42521964
Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
0.34201311 - 0.47626721
Kia K5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 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 K5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
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:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Kia K5 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Kia Seltos Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 56Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Ranking
42 out of / 67Ranking
42 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
50 out of / 67Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia K5 Trim Levels
EX, GT, GT-Line, 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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.42 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 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:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
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
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
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
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
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
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
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
46.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
15.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
121.3 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:
3230 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
193.1 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
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
Interstellar Gray
White
Snow White Pearl
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
