Mazda CX-30 vs. Kia Seltos
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda CX-30 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 Mazda CX-30 and the Kia Seltos.
When comparing the Mazda CX-30's and the Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-30 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and 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, and interior volume. The Mazda CX-30 and Kia Seltos have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Mazda CX-30's and the Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the Kia Seltos is a better car than the Mazda CX-30.
Pricing: A used 2024 Mazda CX-30 ranges from $24,990 to $36,663 while a used 2024 Kia Seltos is priced between $23,994 to $32,000. For a new model, the Mazda CX-30's price is between $26,445 and $36,779, 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 Mazda CX-30 loses 34.1 percent of its value and the Kia Seltos loses 37.3 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-30 retains 3.2 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 Mazda CX-30’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Kia Seltos base engine makes 146 horsepower. Both the CX-30 and the Seltos are rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 419 and 409 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/subcompact SUVs, the Kia Seltos has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Mazda CX-30 has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Mazda CX-30 has higher safety ratings than the Kia Seltos, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Mazda CX-30 has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick+ award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$26,445 - $36,779
Starting MSRP:
$24,995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$24,740
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$19,900 - $32,650
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:
$29,767
Price Range:
$24,990 - $36,663
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$29,059
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$23,526 - $38,837
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,391
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
4,168
# Good or Great Deals:
129
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:
812
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
5,447
# Good or Great Deals:
156
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$8,793
Depreciation %:
35.2%
Resale Value $:
$16,202
Residual Value %:
64.8%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact SUVs)
36.7%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
28% - 42.9%
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%
Mazda CX-30 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 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 Mazda CX-30
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:
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:
2.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.6 - 17.6
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
Mazda CX-30 Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 16Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 59Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
20 out of / 20Ranking
20 out of / 20Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
54 out of / 67Ranking
62 out of / 67Ranking
64 out of / 67Ranking
65 out of / 67Kia 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
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda CX-30 Trim Levels
2.5 Carbon Turbo, 2.5 S, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 S Select Sport, 2.5 Turbo Premium, 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus
Kia Seltos Trim Levels
EX, LX, S, SX, X-Line
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 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:
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:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 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:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 33 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 419 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
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
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
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
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
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
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:
38.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Cargo Space:
20.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
45.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
114.3 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:
54.7 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:
3419 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
61.7 inches
Length:
173 inches
Wheelbase:
104.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 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:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/65R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Fusion Black
Blue
Neptune Blue
White
Snow White Pearl
Gray
Steel Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Black
