Kia surprises buyers by cutting the 2026 Kia Seltos base price by $1,000. Explore new features and updated drivetrains.
In a market where each model year typically sees a bump in price, Kia has bucked the trend by lowering the base price of its 2026 Kia Seltos SUV, making it one of the few vehicles to get more affordable despite ongoing inflation and rising production costs.
Kia announced that the 2026 Seltos will now start at $23,690 (excluding destination charges)—a full $1,000 less than the 2025 base model. Including the unchanged destination fee of $1,395, the new total comes to $25,085. While small cars and entry-level SUVs rarely see this kind of rollback, Kia’s pricing strategy could signal a shift in how automakers attract budget-conscious buyers without compromising features.
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What’s Behind the Price Drop? Front-Wheel Drive Returns
The major reason for the price cut lies in drivetrain strategy. Until now, all trims of the Seltos came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). For 2026, Kia is reintroducing front-wheel drive (FWD) as the standard, starting from the LX trim all the way up to EX, excluding the turbocharged SX which remains AWD-only. The reintroduction of FWD allows Kia to offer a more accessible price point while giving buyers flexibility based on their driving needs.
| Trim | FWD Price (USD) | AWD Price (USD) |
| LX | $23,690 | $24,890 |
| S | $25,390 | $26,890 |
| EX | $26,390 | $28,590 |
| SX | N/A | $31,390 |
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Aside from drivetrain and pricing tweaks, the 2026 Seltos sees minimal changes. One update worth noting: the EX Sunroof Package now includes new gloss black 17-inch alloy wheels, adding a touch of style to the mid-range trim. While fuel economy figures for the FWD models haven’t been finalized by the EPA, it’s reasonable to expect a slight improvement over their AWD counterparts due to reduced drag and weight.
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2026 Kia Seltos Powertrain
The base engine is a 2.0-liter inline-4 with a CVT transmission. It produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo model features a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine. It uses an 8-speed automatic transmission and delivers 190 horsepower. Torque on the turbocharged engine is 195 pound-feet.
Despite no major mechanical updates, the combination of reliable powertrains, new drivetrain flexibility, and a price drop make the 2026 Kia Seltos a standout value in the subcompact SUV market.
