Kia Seltos vs. Mazda CX-3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-3 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 Seltos and the Mazda CX-3.
In comparing the Kia Seltos's and the Mazda CX-3's specifications and ratings, the Kia Seltos has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Mazda CX-3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. The Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-3 have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Kia Seltos's and the Mazda CX-3's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-3 is a better car than the Kia Seltos.
Pricing: A used 2021 Kia Seltos ranges from $14,220 to $22,998 while a used 2021 Mazda CX-3 is priced between $14,987 to $22,008.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Seltos loses 44.4 percent of its value and the Mazda CX-3 loses 38.1 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-3 retains 6.3 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 Kia Seltos’s base engine makes 146 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-3 base engine makes 148 horsepower. Both the Seltos and the CX-3 are rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 449 and 432 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Mazda CX-3 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:
-
Starting MSRP:
21990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
22058
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
18750 - 29100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
20790
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
22058
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
18750 - 29100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
18575
Price Range:
14220 - 22998
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
19173
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
16252 - 24096
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
475
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
63041
# Good or Great Deals:
212
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
18871
Price Range:
14987 - 22008
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
19173
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
16252 - 24096
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
29
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
44411
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Kia Seltos Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
7.4 / 10
Mazda CX-3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Seltos
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
5.1 - 9.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
5.1 - 9.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.528364421236677
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.1 - 9.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.3644645872992993
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.1 - 9.8
Kia 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 / 67Mazda CX-3 Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 21Ranking
17 out of / 21Ranking
19 out of / 21Ranking
20 out of / 21Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
59 out of / 67Ranking
61 out of / 67Ranking
62 out of / 67Ranking
63 out of / 67Ranking
63 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Seltos Trim Levels
EX, LX, S, S Turbo, SX Turbo
Mazda CX-3 Trim Levels
Sport
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.42 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
146 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
148 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 2800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 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 / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 34 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 449 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 34 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
368 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
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:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
50.4 inches
Cargo Space:
17.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
42.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
105.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2948 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
64.2 inches
Length:
172 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2851 lbs
Width:
69.6 inches
Height:
60.7 inches
Length:
168.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Cherry Black
Blue
Dark Ocean/Clear White Roof / Neptune Blue
Gray
Gravity Gray / Steel Gray
Orange
Mars Orange
White
Clear White/Black Roof / Snow White Pearl
Yellow
Starbright Yellow/Black Roof
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica / Eternal Blue Mica
Gray
Ceramic Metallic / Machine Gray Metallic
Orange
Not available
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Yellow
Not available
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/Blue Stitching
Interior Colors
Black
Black
