Buyer's Guide

Seltos Buyer's Guide

The 2027 Seltos spans LX FWD at $24,990 to X-Line SX at $32,790, with all-wheel drive available on six of eight trims and a 190-hp turbo engine reserved for the top trim.

Our RecommendationBuy

Overall Score7.5/10Based on our evaluation

Fuel EconomyFWD trims rate 28/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined; AWD trims drop to 26/30/28 mpg city/highway/combined.
Turbo PowerX-Line SX swaps in a 1.6L turbo I-4 good for 190 hp and 195 lb-ft, versus 147 hp everywhere else in the lineup.
Cargo Space64.2 cu ft of cargo room is standard across every trim.

Best ForBudget AWD ShoppersDaily CommutersPower-Hungry Buyers

Who This Vehicle Is For (and Isn't)

Perfect For

Value-first buyers
LX FWD opens the lineup at $24,990 with the same 147-hp engine and 64.2 cu ft cargo hold found in pricier trims.
All-weather drivers
AWD is available on six of eight trims, not walled off behind a single top-of-range version.
Drivers who want more punch
X-Line SX's turbo 1.6L makes 190 hp, a real step up from the 147-hp engine used elsewhere.

Not Ideal For

Big families needing three rows
Seltos seats five across the board; there's no third-row option in this lineup.
Hybrid or EV shoppers
Every configuration here runs on gasoline only — no hybrid or electric variant is offered.
Mileage maximizers choosing AWD or turbo
Stepping up to AWD cuts combined economy to 28 mpg combined, and the turbo X-Line SX drops further to 26 mpg combined.

Which Trim Should You Buy?

Budget Choice

LX FWD

$24,990*Starting MSRP

The cheapest way into a Seltos at $24,990, and it still carries the 147-hp engine and the full 64.2 cu ft cargo hold.

$24,990 starting price
147-hp 2.0L I-4 with IVT
64.2 cu ft cargo capacity

View LX FWD

Best Value

S AWD

$28,090*Starting MSRP

Adds all-wheel drive for a modest premium over LX AWD, landing at $28,090 while keeping the proven 147-hp engine.

$28,090 with AWD standard
147-hp 2.0L I-4
26/30/28 mpg city/highway/combined

View S AWD

Most Recommended

EX AWD

$30,090*Starting MSRP

Tops out the non-turbo range at $30,090, pairing AWD with the highest trim level short of X-Line, without the fuel-economy or price hit of the turbo engine.

$30,090 price point
AWD paired with the 147-hp engine
Top trim level below X-Line

View EX AWD

Premium Pick

X-Line SX

$32,790*Starting MSRP

The only way to get the 190-hp turbo engine and 8-speed automatic, at $32,790 — not the value pick, but the most powertrain and feature content in the lineup.

$32,790 top trim
190-hp turbo 1.6L I-4
8-speed automatic with AWD standard

View X-Line SX

*MSRP excludes destination charge.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

Wide price spread from $24,990 to $32,790 lets buyers dial in exactly how much they spend
AWD available on six of eight trims rather than reserved for one halo version
64.2 cu ft of cargo room is standard regardless of trim
X-Line SX brings a genuinely different turbo powertrain, not just trim dress-up
Base 147-hp engine and IVT carry over consistently across the non-turbo range

Weaknesses

No hybrid or electric powertrain offered anywhere in the lineup
AWD and the turbo engine both trade away fuel economy versus the base FWD trims
Seating capped at five with no three-row option
Turbo engine locked to the priciest X-Line SX trim only

Ownership Expectations

Fuel Economy26-30 mpg combinedFWD trims lead at 30 mpg combined; AWD and turbo trims trade some efficiency for capability.
MaintenanceAverage for the classRoutine upkeep costs in line with other subcompact SUVs.
InsuranceAverage for the classPremiums track typical subcompact SUV rates.
DepreciationAverage for the classResale tracks segment norms.

Vehicle	Choose It If…
Buick Envista	you want a straightforward FWD subcompact SUV experience.
Mazda CX-30	upscale interior feel and sportier driving dynamics matter more than AWD trim breadth.
Honda HR-V	brand reliability reputation and resale value top your priority list.
Kia Niro	you want a hybrid powertrain, which the Seltos lineup doesn't offer.
Nissan Kicks	rock-bottom starting price matters more than AWD availability.

Bottom Line

The Seltos lineup covers a wide spread — cheap and efficient at the bottom, genuinely quicker at the top — without ever offering a hybrid alternative.

Buy Now If

you want AWD or extra power without shopping outside this lineup.

Wait If

you're hoping for a hybrid Seltos; none exists in this lineup.

Consider Alternatives If

you need three-row seating or hybrid-level efficiency, like the Kia Niro.

Continue your research

Seltos Buyer's Guide