2026 Hyundai Kona vs. 2026 Kia Seltos

The 2026 Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Seltos is a fair fight in terms of specs and the overall driving experience. Our team at Granite Hyundai is here to break down the differences and similarities between these popular SUVs in 2026, and our Somersworth, NH, sales experts are always ready to get you in for a test drive. Whether this is your first time hearing about these cars or you are a long-term Kona fan and driver, 2026 brings plenty of exciting updates to the lineup. Sit back, and let's compare these subcompact SUVs below!

Which is Better, the Hyundai Kona or the Kia Seltos?

At a glance, the 2026 Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Seltos looks closely related. However, the Hyundai Kona has seen major changes that blow the competition out of the water in recent release cycles, and this newest edition is no different. You can expect the Hyundai Kona to be more aesthetically pleasing inside and out, plus it has superior technology and safety features you won't want to miss. The Seltos is good, but the Kona is great.

Interior Comparison

We will start with the inside of the 2026 Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Seltos. Overall, the Kona offers more space and five-person seating, plus better overall passenger volume, while the Seltos also seats five and offers impressive cargo space. Both models will get you comfortably to points A and B, but it's worth checking out how they compare in terms of design at an interior level.

2026 Hyundai Kona

The 2026 Hyundai Kona impresses inside its two-row cabin. You can expect comfortable seating for five, durable materials throughout, decent technology at the standard trim level, and generous passenger volume and cargo space for your groceries, sports equipment, and more.

Here are some standard interior features of this model:

• Cloth seating materials
• 6-way adjustable driver seat
• 60/40 split fold-down seatback
• 12.3-inch touchscreen display
• Rear View Monitor (RVM)
• 4.2-inch digital gauge cluster

2026 Kia Seltos

Now, for the 2026 Kia Seltos, we have a spacious interior, though it is arguably not as sleek as the Hyundai Kona's. This SUV is subcompact, but it doesn't make you feel that way inside, which is a plus for up to five riders.

Here are some standard features to expect:

• 6-way manual driver's seat
• Woven trim cloth seating materials
• 60/40 split fold-down seatback
• Dual-level cargo floor
• 8.0-inch touchscreen display
• 4.2-inch instrument display

Exterior Comparison

The exteriors of the 2026 Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Seltos are another thing our team at Granite Hyundai wants to compare. Remember, both are subcompact SUVs, though the Kona is arguably a more fun, sleek, and sporty choice. It is also worth noting that the Kia Seltos is slightly larger than the Kona but is often described as more boxy and bulky.

2026 Hyundai Kona

First, the 2026 Hyundai Kona's exterior will feature a "Seamless Horizon" LED daytime running light bar across the hood, along with black wheel-arch cladding and active grille shutters to improve aerodynamics. This SUV is incredibly fun to look at and has become a favorite Hyundai model since its complete overhaul in 2024.

Exterior highlights: LED front and rear lighting, aerodynamic design, black cladding over the wheel arches, 18-inch black-painted alloy wheels, available roof rails, and 6.7 to 6.9 inches for FWD models.

2026 Kia Seltos

With the 2026 Kia Seltos, you can expect a more classic SUV styling with squared edges and a prominent front-end. This SUV features a "tiger nose" grille, updated "Star map" LED lighting, and bigger wheels on the base trim. It has a luxury element to its exterior aesthetic, though it can be considered bulky compared to the Kona.

Exterior highlights: LED lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels, available two-tone roof options, and hidden rear wipers.

Which Has Better Performance Between the Kona vs. Seltos

One detail about the 2026 Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Seltos to make note of is that these SUVs have nearly identical powertrains. Thanks to their similar designs, the engine options for the Kona and Seltos will be most comparable across the major categories we're covering in this post. That means you can expect similar performance across base, mid-level, and top-tier trims.

2026 Hyundai Kona

• Engine: 2.0L Smartstream 4-Cylinder
• Horsepower: 147 horsepower
• Torque: 132 pound-feet

Now, we will cover the turbo engine specifications for the Kona.

• Engine: 1.6L Turbocharged
• Horsepower: 190 horsepower
• Torque: 195 pound-feet

2026 Kia Seltos

• Engine: 2.0L 4-Cylinder
• Horsepower: 147 horsepower
• Torque: 132 pound-feet

Now, we will cover the turbo engine specifications for the Seltos.

• Engine: 1.6L Turbocharged
• Horsepower: 190 horsepower
• Torque: 195 pound-feet

Fuel Efficiency Comparison

Even with the fact that these SUVs have similar engines, you do get better overall fuel economy when shopping for a 2026 Hyundai Kona this year. Thanks to its newer engine, the Kona achieves up to 35 MPG compared to the Seltos's 34 MPG. Of course, not a massive difference at first look, but over a few years on the road, that extra mile per gallon makes a huge impact on your potential savings at the pump. Below, let's check out the EPA estimates for both models.

2026 Hyundai Kona

• Base engine: 28 city, 35 highway, 31 combined
• Turbo engine: 26 city, 29 highway, 27 combined

2026 Kia Seltos

• Base engine (FWD): 28 city, 34 highway, 31 combined
• Base engine (AWD): 27 city, 31 highway, 29 combined
• Turbo engine: 24 city, 27 highway, 25 combined

2026 Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Seltos Safety and Technology

Safety and overall technology in the 2026 Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Seltos are other areas we want to look at when comparing the two vehicles. As we mentioned earlier, Hyundai beats Kia in terms of technology at a standard and even available level, and with SmartSense driver assistance, you have a high safety rating from the IIHS and NHTSA in a Kona. Both SUVs are safe for their class and size, but the Hyundai Kona generally performs better in both categories.

2026 Hyundai Kona

The safety features in the 2026 Hyundai Kona are impressive from the base trim to the highest. You have standard SmartSense tech in this SUV, which includes the following driver assistance:

• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning (BCW)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped) Cyclist & Junction Turning Detection and Direct Oncoming
• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
• Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)

For your technology, you can bet on everything from a 12.3-inch touchscreen display to HD Radio, SiriusXM, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, plus available Bose Premium Audio with an external amp and 8 speakers.

2026 Kia Seltos

With the 2026 Kia Seltos, you have fewer standard driver-assistance options, though it is generally safe when crash-tested.

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrian, Cyclist & Car Detection
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Rear Occupant Alert

The technology specs for the 2026 Seltos range from an 8.0-inch standard touchscreen to a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 4.2-inch instrument display.

Pricing and Value

The price point and general value of the 2026 Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Seltos are comparable, although the Hyundai Kona starts slightly higher.

2026 Hyundai Kona

• SE - $25,500
• SEL Sport - $26,675
• SEL Premium - $28,550
• Limited - $32,650

2026 Kia Seltos

• LX - $23,790
• S - $25,490
• EX - $26,490
• SX - $31,490

The Hyundai Kona is more expensive overall, but that is due to its enhanced features, even at the standard trim level. The Seltos is comparable but does not beat the Kona in most feature-by-feature tests/comparisons.

Choosing the Right Model For You

When choosing the right model for your lifestyle, size, style, performance, safety, technology, and budget all need to come into play. Whether you are shopping for a 2026 Hyundai Kona vs. the 2026 Kia Seltos, testing out your favorite SUV can make a huge impact on your final decision. Both of these subcompact SUVs are impressive in their own respects, but that is not to say both will work for you. Some people might prefer the sporty, aerodynamic design and performance of the Kona, while another driver may want a bigger vehicle.

Don't be afraid to drive a few different cars around, ask plenty of questions, and have one of our Somersworth, NH, sales professionals assist you in your dream car hunt. That's why we are here!

Get Your Hyundai Kona at Granite Hyundai

Want to continue comparing the Hyundai Kona vs. Kia Seltos? Our local sales team at Granite Hyundai is happy to bring you in for a test drive as soon as you're ready to come see us in Somersworth, NH. The 2026 Hyundai Kona continues a legacy of sporty yet affordable design from inside to out, plus with top safety ratings and space for five, this might be the family car you have been dreaming of. Overall, it outperforms the Kia Seltos in major categories, plus with better fuel savings, your wallet will certainly thank you in the long term. Don't wait, visit our top-rated dealership in Somersworth today!