2026 Kia Seltos — Full Specifications
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The 2026 Kia Seltos is an SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2L 4-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 35 mpg (UK) / 29 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 30–35 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Kia Seltos workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2025 Kia Seltos: Fuel economy slips from 37 to 35 mpg (UK) combined on the most efficient configuration. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo · 2L 4-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (AV-S8) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 35 combined / 32 urban / 37 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 29 combined / 27 city / 31 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 192 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2026 Kia Seltos across 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2L 4-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 25 to 29 mpg (US), or 30 to 35 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (24/27) | 217 | $2,700 |
| 2L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 35 | 29 (27/31) | 192 | $2,300 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2026 Kia Seltos
Running Costs: 2026 Kia Seltos
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2026 Kia Seltos at 35 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,039 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2026 Kia Seltos Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2026 Kia Seltos as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Kia Seltos. The most-reported areas are Vehicle speed control (2), Service brakes (2), Engine (1). Complaints include 1 reported crash, 2 reported injuries. That is well below the median of 46 complaints across the 6 Kia Seltos model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2026 Kia Seltos
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Throttle & cruise control (2 owner complaints) — Check throttle response and cruise control are smooth, and ask about any software or throttle recalls.
- Brakes (2 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Engine (1 owner complaint) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Fuel system (1 owner complaint) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Kia Seltos compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 35 mpg figure is 8 mpg better than that average. Its 192 g/km CO₂ figure is 61 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
At 35 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 34 mpg average for Kia models in our database. Its 192 g/km CO₂ figure is 15 g/km lower than the 207 g/km Kia average.
Of the 6 Kia Seltos model years we cover, the 2026 ranks 6th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (35 mpg UK combined, against a high of 37 mpg). See every Kia Seltos year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2026 Kia Seltos
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2026 Kia Seltos have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2026 Kia Seltos: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2L 4-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2L 4-cyl with a automatic (av-s8).
What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Kia Seltos?
The most efficient configuration returns around 35 mpg (UK) combined, or 29 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 30 to 35 mpg.
How much does the 2026 Kia Seltos cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2026 Kia Seltos have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2026 Kia Seltos have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2026 Kia Seltos as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2026 Kia Seltos?
Among the 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Vehicle speed control (2 complaints), Service brakes (2 complaints), Engine (1 complaint). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Kia Seltos's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 35 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.