Honda Accord vs Kia Seltos

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

We hold no ANCAP data for the Honda Accord. 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.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Honda Accord features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Kia Seltos gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Honda Accord stands out with wireless charging, power tailgate, Bose audio and ambient lighting — 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 Honda Accord gets leather upholstery while the Kia Seltos offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Honda Accord and 1-zone in the Kia Seltos.

Drivetrain

The Honda Accord uses a Hybrid producing 135kW and 335Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.8 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 Honda Accord has the clear power advantage at 135kW vs 110kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Honda Accord is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Honda Accord measures 4,975mm long on a 2,830mm wheelbase, 590mm longer than the Kia Seltos at 4,385mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Accord generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 570L in the Honda Accord and 468L in the Kia Seltos, giving the Honda Accord a 102L advantage.

For towing, the Kia Seltos leads with a 1,100kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 100kg 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 0.8 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.4 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Honda Accord costs about $1,226 a year (4.3 L/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. That is $741 a year less for the Honda Accord.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Honda Accord) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Seltos). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Honda Accord), no data (Kia Seltos).

Where each one leads

The Honda Accord: more power (135kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (570L against 468L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,226 a year against $1,967).

The Kia Seltos: the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (1,100kg against 1,000kg).

The Verdict

Honda Accord scores higher, 75 vs 68

The Honda Accord scores 75 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 (Honda Accord ahead by 35 points), fuel economy (Honda Accord ahead by 23 points), performance (Honda Accord ahead by 13 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Honda Accord costs about $741 less (4.3 L/100km against 6.9 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 570L in the Honda Accord, 468L in the Kia Seltos. Warranty: 5 years on the Honda Accord, 7 on the Kia Seltos.

Common questions