Kia Seltos vs. Volkswagen Tiguan
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Seltos and Volkswagen Tiguan 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 Volkswagen Tiguan.
When we compare the Kia Seltos's and the Volkswagen Tiguan's specifications and ratings, 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, and resale value. The Volkswagen Tiguan has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Seltos's and the Volkswagen Tiguan's specifications and ratings, the Kia Seltos is a better car than the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Pricing: A used 2026 Kia Seltos ranges from $25,068 to $33,775 while a used 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is priced between $28,038 to $42,186. For a new model, the Kia Seltos's price is between $25,275 and $33,370, with the Volkswagen Tiguan priced between $30,884 and $42,730.
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 Volkswagen Tiguan loses 47.8 percent of its value. This means the Kia Seltos retains 3.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Seltos’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Tiguan base engine makes 201 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Tiguan, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Kia Seltos, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volkswagen Tiguan has higher safety ratings than the Kia Seltos, with an average rating of 4.45 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.42 out of 5 Stars.
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
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
30884 - 42730
Starting MSRP:
30245
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
28836
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
24135 - 30995
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:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
35325
Price Range:
28038 - 42186
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
32106
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
28107 - 36583
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
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
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
14582
Depreciation %:
0.48211785
Resale Value $:
15663
Residual Value %:
0.5178821499999999
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
0.43208374
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
0.30791758 - 0.51647538
Kia Seltos Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
7.4 / 10
Volkswagen Tiguan Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
7.4 / 10
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:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Tiguan
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.4
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.6 - 15.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.02
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:
2.0725529922117
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 16.1
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 / 67Volkswagen Tiguan Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 34Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 18Ranking
9 out of / 34Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 18Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 56Ranking
13 out of / 34Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 19Ranking
18 out of / 19Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 34Ranking
22 out of / 56Ranking
22 out of / 34Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 34Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
32 out of / 34Ranking
32 out of / 34Ranking
32 out of / 34Ranking
33 out of / 34Ranking
34 out of / 34Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
39 out of / 67Ranking
42 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Ranking
49 out of / 67Ranking
50 out of / 67Ranking
54 out of / 67Ranking
65 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, SX
Volkswagen Tiguan Trim Levels
S, S 4Motion, SE, SE 4Motion, SE R-Line Black, SE R-Line Black 4Motion, SEL R-Line 4Motion
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:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 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:
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):
4.45 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:
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
201 hp @ 5250 rpm
Torque:
207 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 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):
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:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
377 / 493 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
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
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
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
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
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:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
40.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Cargo Space:
26.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
130.3 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3563 lbs
Width:
84.7 inches
Height:
66.1 inches
Length:
184.4 inches
Wheelbase:
109.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.6 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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
polished aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Fusion Black
Blue
Dark Ocean Blue
Gray
Steel Gray
White
Snow White Pearl
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
White
Pure White
Silver
Pyrite Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Grigio Gray/Titan Black
