Best & Worst Kia Seltos Years

Are you considering getting a Kia Seltos but you are not sure which model year you should buy? Here's the ultimate guide to help you pick the best one!

The Kia Seltos burst onto the compact SUV scene in 2020, swiftly becoming a beloved favorite. But not all model years are created identical.

In this comprehensive dive, we’ll uncover which Kia Seltos years shine bright and which ones you might want to steer clear of.

We’ve done the heavy lifting, sifting through data from the NHTSA, Consumer Reports, and Kelley Blue Book to bring you the inside scoop on reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety ratings. You’ll get the lowdown on engine options, frequent hiccups, recall history, and resale values that set the top years apart from the remaining ones.

Ready to discover your ideal Seltos? Let’s hit the gas and get started!

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Table of ContentsShow

Kia Seltos Generations

The Kia Seltos made its impressive entrance in the 2020 model year, shaking up the subcompact SUV market with its daring looks and functional chops.

This little powerhouse packed a punch with its eye-catching design, clever interior layout, and a tech buffet that included cutting-edge safety features, fuel-sipping powertrains, and an infotainment system so intuitive your grandma could master it.

Coming up, we’ve got a table that’ll guide you through the Seltos generations from day one to now. Keep your eyes open for those substantial leaps in performance, tech, and design between generations – they could be the dealmakers or breakers for your next ride.

GenerationYears
1st Generation (SP2)2021-Present

Significant changes and improvements between generations, especially in performance, technology, and design, might be the deciding factor for potential buyers.

Kia Seltos Best, Neutral, and Worst Years

When evaluating the Kia Seltos’s model years for our rankings and classifications, we consider a comprehensive array of factors, including:

  • Owner-reported reliability (surveys)
  • Annual maintenance costs
  • Safety ratings
  • Consumer Reports reliability scores
  • Consumer Reports owner satisfaction scores
  • NHTSA recalls, investigations, and complaints
  • Edmunds owner ratings
  • JD Power owner ratings
  • Kelley Blue Book (KBB) owner ratings
  • VehicleHistory owner ratings
  • Cars.com owner ratings

An upcoming graph will display the combined ratings from these sources.

Kia Seltos Car Smite Score Combined Overall Score

Next, we present a table categorizing all model years of the Kia Seltos as the finest, neutral, and worst years, providing a straightforward guide for potential buyers and enthusiasts.

GenerationBest YearsWorst Years
1st Generation (ON)2022 2023 20242021

Factors like NHTSA recalls can significantly detract from a vehicle’s reliability rating. A greater frequency of complaints and recalls suggests decreased reliability for the affected model years.

Let’s explore the finest, neutral, and worst years.

Best & Worst Years for Kia Seltos 1st Generation (2021-Present)

Kia Seltos 1st generation 2021 model
The 2021 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos, introduced in 2021, emerged as a novel contender in the subcompact SUV market, blending distinctive styling with practicality and state-of-the-art features.

2022, 2023, and 2024 are the finest years for the first-generation Kia Seltos, while the worst year to avoid is 2021.

The Best Years: 2022, 2023, 2024

In its best years, 2022, 2023, and 2024, the Kia Seltos cemented its reputation with performance, technology, and reliability enhancements.

The powertrain lineup became more robust, featuring a standard 2.0L I4 engine delivering 146 hp and an optional 1.6L turbocharged engine producing 175 hp.

These engines were paired with a smart continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), respectively, optimizing fuel efficiency and driving dynamics.

Fuel economy stood out, with the 2.0L engine achieving an impressive 29 city/35 highway MPG.

Trim levels expanded to include LX, EX, S, and SX, with the SX offering premium features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Bose audio system, and sophisticated safety features like adaptive cruise control and highway driving assist.

Despite these advancements, minor software glitches and infotainment issues were reported but quickly addressed through updates.

The Worst Years: 2021

The 2021 Kia Seltos is the worst model year to avoid, as it was plagued by initial manufacturing issues that affected its dependability.

Owners reported problems related to the electrical system and powertrain, including excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, stalling, and transmission failures that affected driving experience and safety.

The 2021 Kia Seltos was also subject to major recalls for issues such as improperly heat-treated piston oil rings in the 2.0L Nu MPI engines, leading to potential stalling, oil leaks, and substantial engine damage.

See NHTSA 2021 Kia Seltos recalls and grievances.

Kia Seltos Resale Values

Here is an overview of Kia Seltos’s common resale values from 2021.

Kia Seltos Average List Price

Conclusion

According to our analysis, the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Kia Seltos models emerge as the most reliable and feature-rich, making them the best years to buy.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Kia Seltos is the worst model year to avoid due to its initial reported issues.

What are your primary priorities when choosing a Kia Seltos model year?

Share your opinions in the comments!

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Jonathan Eckert

Jonathan is an ASE-certified mechanic with over 22 years of hands-on experience in the automotive industry. His expertise spans a wide range of vehicles, but he specializes in diagnosing and repairing Japanese cars. His previous workplace highly commended his meticulous attention to detail, and that's exaclty what he uses at Car Smite to craft the best guides for each purpose.