Kia Niro vs. Kia Seltos
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Niro 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 Niro and the Kia Seltos.
In comparing the Kia Niro's and the Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the Kia Niro has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. 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 base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Niro's and the Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the Kia Seltos is a better car than the Kia Niro.
Pricing: A used 2024 Kia Niro ranges from $26,653 to $37,088 while a used 2024 Kia Seltos is priced between $23,994 to $32,000. For a new model, the Kia Niro's price is between $28,375 and $37,092, with the Kia Seltos priced between $25,750 and $33,071.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Niro loses 40.4 percent of its value and the Kia Seltos loses 37.3 percent of its value. This means the Kia Seltos retains 3.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Niro.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Niro’s base engine makes 139 horsepower, and the Kia Seltos base engine makes 146 horsepower. The Niro is rated to deliver an average of 49 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 500 miles. The Seltos is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 409 miles. This gives the Kia Niro the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Kia Seltos. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Niro, a hybrid SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Kia Seltos, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage in the area of cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Kia Niro has higher safety ratings than the Kia Seltos, with an average rating of 4.28 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$28,375 - $37,092
Starting MSRP:
$26,940
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$34,243
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$26,940 - $41,400
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$25,750 - $33,071
Starting MSRP:
$24,490
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$24,740
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$19,900 - $32,650
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$31,557
Price Range:
$26,653 - $37,088
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$37,402
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$31,557 - $43,791
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
596
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,581
# Good or Great Deals:
37
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$27,855
Price Range:
$23,994 - $32,000
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$29,059
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$23,526 - $38,837
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,160
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
3,857
# Good or Great Deals:
153
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$11,293
Depreciation %:
41.9%
Resale Value $:
$15,647
Residual Value %:
58.1%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
42.1%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
41.3% - 43.4%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$9,452
Depreciation %:
38.6%
Resale Value $:
$15,038
Residual Value %:
61.4%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact SUVs)
36.7%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
28% - 42.9%
Kia Niro Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
5.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
8.6 / 10
Kia Seltos Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Niro
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
8.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Seltos
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
11.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
10.3 - 14
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
1.7 - 3.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
8.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.6 - 17.6
Kia Niro Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
9 out of / 27Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 27Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 27Ranking
21 out of / 32Ranking
27 out of / 27Ranking
32 out of / 32Kia Seltos Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 16Ranking
8 out of / 59Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
15 out of / 20Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
34 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
59 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Niro Trim Levels
EX, EX Touring, LX, SX, SX Touring
Kia Seltos Trim Levels
EX, LX, S, SX, X-Line
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):
4.28 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
139 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque:
195 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.045 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
146 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.047 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
53 / 45 / 49
Range (city/hwy):
588 / 500 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:
AWD / FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 31 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
356 / 409 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
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
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
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
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
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
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
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:
N/A
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:
40.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.4 inches
Cargo Space:
22.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
63.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
127.9 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:
54.7 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:
3071 lbs
Width:
71.8 inches
Height:
60.8 inches
Length:
174 inches
Wheelbase:
107.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3108 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
63.4 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:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
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
Graphite Gray / Steel Gray
Red
Runway Red
White
Snow White Pearl
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Fusion Black
Gray
Steel Gray
Red
Not available
White
Snow White Pearl
Blue
Neptune Blue
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Interior Colors
Black
Black