Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Kona starts from $33,700 before on-road costs, while the Kia Seltos opens at $31,250. That makes the Kia Seltos the more affordable entry point by $2,450.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $37,070 and $34,375 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Kona features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Kia Seltos gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Kona stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Seltos. The Kia Seltos counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Kona gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia Seltos offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Kona uses a Petrol producing 110kW and 180Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.9 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.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia Seltos is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Kona measures 4,350mm long on a 2,660mm wheelbase, 35mm shorter than the Kia Seltos at 4,385mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Kona generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 361L in the Hyundai Kona and 468L in the Kia Seltos, giving the Kia Seltos a 107L advantage.
For towing, the Hyundai Kona leads with a 1,300kg braked capacity vs 1,100kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 10.6m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,881/year for the Hyundai Kona and $1,967/year for the Kia Seltos. That is a $86 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai Kona.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Kona) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Seltos). The Kia Seltos has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Kona if: You want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Seltos if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Seltos takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Hyundai Kona will save you roughly $86 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Seltos has a clear edge. The Kia Seltos adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos?
The Kia Seltos is the cheapest at $31,250 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona by $2,450.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai Kona uses the least fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Hyundai Kona holds a 4-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for 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 Kia Seltos has the largest boot at 468L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Kona has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Seltos has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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