Kia Seltos vs Hyundai Kona
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.
Hyundai Kona: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and warranty.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Kia Seltos starts from $31,250 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Kona opens at $26,600. That makes the Hyundai Kona the more affordable entry point by $4,650.
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 $34,375 and $29,260 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Hyundai Kona by roughly $1,000 in fuel alone.
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 Kia Seltos features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Hyundai Kona gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia Seltos stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto that you will not find on the Hyundai Kona. The Hyundai Kona counters with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Kia Seltos 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 9.2 seconds.
The Hyundai Kona lines up making 110kW and 180Nm, paired to a smartstream intelligent variable transmission (ivt) with sequential manual mode driving the front wheels.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia Seltos measures 4,385mm long on a 2,630mm wheelbase, 180mm longer than the Hyundai Kona at 4,205mm (2,600mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Seltos generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 468L in the Kia Seltos and 374L in the Hyundai Kona, giving the Kia Seltos a 94L 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 $1,967/year for the Kia Seltos and $1,767/year for the Hyundai Kona. That is a $200 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai Kona.
Estimated annual total: $1,967 (Kia Seltos) vs $1,767 (Hyundai Kona). The Hyundai Kona saves you roughly $200 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Seltos if: You need more boot space, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Kona if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Kona takes 3 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Hyundai Kona will save you roughly $200 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Seltos has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona?
The Hyundai Kona is the cheapest at $26,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia Seltos by $4,650.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai Kona uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
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.
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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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