BMW i4 vs Kia Seltos
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BMW i4 scores higher, 73 vs 68
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 30 Oct 2026, price 8 Sep 2026
BMW i4
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 210kW
- Energy use
- 16.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 470L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 68, but the Kia Seltos is $57,650 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Kia Seltos
12 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 not offered · 8 no dataFrom
$31,250
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 110kW
- Economy
- 6.9 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 468L
Run-out stock: confirm with a dealer
Car loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$88,900RRP
- with the Kia Seltos's standard kit: $88,900 (nothing to add)
$31,250RRP
- cannot be matched: Adaptive Cruise Control, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Wireless Phone Charging and 4 more not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW i4 eDrive35
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $388 a week in repayments ($88,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Kia Seltos S
$31,250
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 8 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $121 a week in repayments ($31,250 RRP, before on-road costs, run-out stock; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Kia Seltos starts $57,650 lower on RRP.
The BMW i4 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Kia Seltos does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Run-out stock (Kia Seltos). Remaining new stock of an outgoing model. Confirm availability with the dealer.
Finance
From ≈$121/wk(≈$526/mo)
Estimate on the Kia Seltos at $31,250 RRP, before on-road costs, run-out stock; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Kia Seltos a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 8 of 10 key systems on the BMW i4 and 5 on the Kia Seltos.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW i4
- REC-005559 · published 10 Nov 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery may not meet specifications and could discharge or in some instances lead to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005503 · published 23 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery does not meet specifications and may result in an electrical short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
Kia Seltos
- REC-006395 · published 30 Jul 2025The piston rings fitted to the engines of certain vehicles may not meet manufacturing specifications, and could cause engine failure and vehicle stalling.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2022
- REC-005962 · published 20 May 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the side curtain airbag may inflate without warning.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005699 · published 15 Jun 2023Due to a software issue, the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the visual seat belt warning as required by the Australian Design Rules (ADR) 04/06.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- 2 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
80.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 180kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 180kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW i4 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia Seltos gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW i4 stands out with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Seltos. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW i4 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia Seltos offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW i4 and 1-zone in the Kia Seltos.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW i4 uses a Electric producing 210kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6 seconds.
The Kia Seltos responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 180Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.
The BMW i4 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 110kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW i4 is 3.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW i4 measures 4,783mm long on a 2,856mm wheelbase, 398mm longer than the Kia Seltos at 4,385mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW i4 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 470L in the BMW i4 and 468L in the Kia Seltos, giving the BMW i4 a 2L advantage.
For towing, the BMW i4 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,100kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Kia Seltos's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW i4 costs about $778 a year (16.2 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Kia Seltos about $1,967 a year (6.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (BMW i4) and 7 years / unlimited km (Kia Seltos).
Where each one leads
The BMW i4: more power (210kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (470L against 468L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,600kg against 1,100kg).
The Kia Seltos: the lower starting price ($31,250 against $88,900) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Verdict
BMW i4 scores higher, 73 vs 68
The BMW i4 scores 73 to the Kia Seltos's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (BMW i4 ahead by 35 points), performance (BMW i4 ahead by 28 points), safety (BMW i4 ahead by 21 points). Warranty: 5 years on the BMW i4, 7 on the Kia Seltos.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Run-out stock (Kia Seltos). Remaining new stock of an outgoing model. Confirm availability with the dealer.
Finance
From ≈$121/wk(≈$526/mo)
Estimate on the Kia Seltos at $31,250 RRP, before on-road costs, run-out stock; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW i4 and Kia Seltos?
The Kia Seltos is the cheapest at $31,250 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW i4 by $57,650.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW i4 holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Kia Seltos, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW i4 has the largest boot at 470L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i4 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Seltos has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i4 makes the most power at 210kW. The BMW i4 is quickest to 100km/h in 6s.
Track the BMW i4 & Kia Seltos
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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