Kia Seltos vs. Sportage: Which 2027 Kia SUV Fits You?

What Are the Kia Seltos and Kia Sportage?

The Kia Seltos is a small SUV, and the Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that sits one size up in Kia’s lineup. Both have two rows of seating and offer front- or all-wheel drive.

This guide compares the 2027 Kia Seltos, which is all-new for 2027, with the gas-powered 2027 Kia Sportage. Both are on our lot now. For a full look at the redesigned Seltos, see our 2027 Kia Seltos guide.

Kia Seltos vs. Sportage: Side-by-Side Specs

The Sportage is longer and roomier, while the Seltos offers more engine choices and a smaller footprint.

Cargo figures use each vehicle’s dual-level cargo floor in its low position, as Kia publishes them. Confirm specs on the window sticker of the specific vehicle.

What Is New on the 2027 Seltos?

The 2027 Seltos borrows several features from Kia’s flagship Telluride. Kia highlights:

• Flush door handles and Telluride-inspired styling.
• Available panoramic sunroof and Surround View Monitor.
• Up to nearly 30 inches of combined screens with Kia’s latest ccNC infotainment and Over-the-Air updates.
• Available memory power seats and Multi-Mode AWD.

Standard driver-assistance features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and front and rear Parking Distance Warning. Standard wheels are 16-inch alloys, the X-Line S gets 18-inch wheels, and the X-Line SX wears all-black 19-inch wheels.

What Does the Sportage Offer?

The Sportage brings more room and more powertrain choices. Kia’s 2026 refresh of the Sportage lineup added available curved dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus available Over-the-Air update capability. The off-road-ready X-Pro Prestige tops the gas lineup.

Is the Kia Seltos Smaller Than the Sportage?

Yes. The 2027 Seltos is 10 inches shorter than the 2027 Sportage, at 174.4 inches versus 184.4 inches. Its wheelbase is 2.6 inches shorter, too.

That size difference matters most in tight spots. The Seltos is easier to park in busy lots and garages, while the Sportage gives rear passengers and cargo more room. Kia says the new Seltos is larger, wider and roomier than the previous generation, with a wheelbase 2.4 inches longer than before.

How Do the Engines Compare?

The Seltos offers two gas engines, while the gas Sportage offers one. Here is how they line up.

Kia Seltos Engines

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 147 horsepower and comes on the LX, S, X-Line S and EX with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine makes 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque with an 8-speed automatic, and Kia offers it only on the X-Line SX.

Kia Sportage Engine

The gas Sportage uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. It is rated to tow up to 2,500 pounds with trailer brakes when properly equipped.

Which Gets Better Gas Mileage, the Seltos or the Sportage?

The Seltos 2.0-liter gets better EPA-estimated mileage. It is rated at 30 mpg combined with FWD, compared with 28 mpg combined for the FWD Sportage.

These are EPA estimates for gas models; actual mileage varies. If fuel economy is your top priority, the Sportage also comes as a Hybrid and a Plug-In Hybrid, which are separate models with their own ratings.

Do the Seltos and Sportage Offer All-Wheel Drive?

Yes. Both offer front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on trim.

• Seltos: The LX, S and EX offer FWD or AWD. The X-Line S and X-Line SX come with AWD, and Kia adds an available multi-terrain AWD mode.
• Sportage: The LX, EX and SX-Prestige offer FWD or AWD. The SX is FWD, while the X-Line and X-Pro Prestige come with AWD.

Which Has More Cargo Space?

The Sportage has more cargo space. Behind the second row, it offers 39.6 cubic feet, compared with 27.8 cubic feet in the Seltos. With the rear seats folded, the Sportage offers 74.1 cubic feet versus 64.2 in the Seltos.

The Seltos still punches above its size. Kia says it offers class-leading max cargo room behind the first row in its segment.

What About Hybrid Options?

The Sportage is available today as a Hybrid and a Plug-In Hybrid. Kia has also announced a Seltos Hybrid with electric all-wheel drive, a first for a Kia hybrid SUV, and said more details would come closer to its on-sale date. Ask our team about timing if a Seltos Hybrid is on your list.

Which Kia SUV Is Right for You?

The right choice depends on how you use your SUV. Here is a quick way to decide:

• Choose the Seltos if you want a smaller footprint, easier parking, the best gas mpg of the two, or a turbo engine option.
• Choose the Sportage if you want more rear-seat and cargo room, a higher tow rating, or a Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid.
• Want more ground clearance? An AWD Sportage sits at 8.3 inches, and the Seltos X-Line SX reaches 8.1 inches.
• Want the most power? The Seltos X-Line SX’s 190-hp turbo is the strongest gas engine of the two.

Both SUVs offer available Over-the-Air software updates and all-wheel drive, so for many shoppers the real decision comes down to interior space versus a smaller, easier-to-park footprint.

Compare the Seltos and Sportage at Greenway Kia West

The best way to compare is to sit in both on the same day. Browse our Kia Seltos inventory and Kia Sportage inventory, then load your own gear into each cargo area.

Greenway Kia West serves drivers from Winter Garden, Ocoee, Windermere, Horizon West, Apopka and Wekiva Springs. Explore financing options, value your trade, or shop all new vehicle inventory. Ready for a back-to-back test drive? Contact Greenway Kia West or call 407-753-1315.

About the Author

This guide was prepared by the sales and service team at Greenway Kia West, a Kia dealership at 3407 W Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808. We serve drivers in Winter Garden, Ocoee, Windermere, Horizon West, Clermont, Apopka and Wekiva Springs. Reach sales at 407-753-1315 or service at 407-583-1271.

References & Sources

1. Kia Media: 2027 Kia Seltos Overview — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/seltos/2027 (trims by engine, size versus prior generation, Seltos Hybrid announcement, cargo claim)
2. Kia Media: 2027 Kia Seltos Specifications — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/seltos/2027/specifications (engines, transmissions, length, wheelbase, cargo, ground clearance, FWD/AWD by trim)
3. Kia Media: 2027 Kia Sportage Specifications — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/sportage/2027/specifications (engine, length, wheelbase, cargo, ground clearance, towing, mpg by trim)
4. Kia Media: 2026 Kia Sportage HEV Overview (2026 Sportage lineup refresh) — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/sportage-hev/2026 (2026 Sportage refresh features, X-Pro Prestige)
5. fueleconomy.gov: 2027 Kia Seltos — https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2027&year2=2027&make=Kia&baseModel=Seltos&srchtyp=ymm (EPA-estimated mpg)
6. fueleconomy.gov: 2026-2027 Kia Sportage — https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2026&year2=2027&make=Kia&baseModel=Sportage&srchtyp=ymm (EPA-estimated mpg)
7. Greenway Kia West: 2027 Kia Seltos Guide — https://www.greenwaykiawest.com/2027-kia-seltos-orlando-fl/ (dealer 2027 Seltos page)
8. Greenway Kia West: Kia Seltos Inventory — https://www.greenwaykiawest.com/new-vehicles/seltos/ (dealer inventory (2027 models seen))
9. Greenway Kia West: Kia Sportage Inventory — https://www.greenwaykiawest.com/new-vehicles/sportage/ (dealer inventory (2026 and 2027 models seen))