Jaecoo J5 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.
Price Breakdown
The Jaecoo J5 starts from $25,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia Seltos opens at $31,250. That makes the Jaecoo J5 the more affordable entry point by $5,260.
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 $28,589 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 Jaecoo J5 features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.9-inch digital dash, while the Kia Seltos gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Jaecoo J5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia Seltos offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Jaecoo J5 uses a 1.5L Turbo Petrol producing 108kW and 210Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout.
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 Kia Seltos has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 108kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Jaecoo J5 measures 4,380mm long on a 2,620mm wheelbase, 5mm shorter than the Kia Seltos at 4,385mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Seltos generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 384L in the Jaecoo J5 and 312L in the Kia Seltos, giving the Jaecoo J5 a 72L advantage.
For towing, the Kia Seltos leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,250kg. That 250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m diameter
Good
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,138/year for the Jaecoo J5 and $1,967/year for the Kia Seltos. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Kia Seltos.
Estimated annual total: $2,138 (Jaecoo J5) vs $1,967 (Kia Seltos). The Kia Seltos saves you roughly $171 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 8 years (Jaecoo J5) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Seltos). The Jaecoo J5 has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: 8yr (Jaecoo J5)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Jaecoo J5 if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Seltos if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Jaecoo J5 and Kia Seltos trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Kia Seltos will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Jaecoo J5 has a clear edge. The Jaecoo J5 adds peace of mind with a longer 8-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Jaecoo J5 and Kia Seltos?
The Jaecoo J5 is the cheapest at $25,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia Seltos by $5,260.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Seltos uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Kia Seltos all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Jaecoo J5 has the largest boot at 384L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Seltos has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Jaecoo J5 has the longest warranty at 8 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Seltos makes the most power at 110kW.
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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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