Kia Seltos vs Lexus NX

Price and cost per week

On the rated figures, the Kia Seltos leads on standard features per $10,000: 3.8 per $10,000 on RRP (12 of 19 standard) for the Kia Seltos; 2.6 per $10,000 on RRP (19 of 19 standard) for the Lexus NX. On the rated figures, the Kia Seltos leads on price per kw: $284 per kW on RRP for the Kia Seltos; $401 per kW on RRP for the Lexus NX. On the rated figures, the Kia Seltos leads on price per litre of boot: $67 per litre of boot on RRP for the Kia Seltos; $138 per litre of boot on RRP for the Lexus NX. These ratios are not part of the CarSorted Score.

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.

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 Kia Seltos features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Lexus NX gets a 9.8-inch display and 8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Lexus NX counters with head-up display, wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate, Mark Levinson audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Kia Seltos gets cloth upholstery while the Lexus NX offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Kia Seltos and 2-zone in the Lexus NX.

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 Lexus NX responds with a Hybrid making 179kW and 239Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.

The Lexus NX has the clear power advantage at 179kW vs 110kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Lexus NX is 1.5s quicker. 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, 275mm shorter than the Lexus NX at 4,660mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus NX generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 468L in the Kia Seltos and 520L in the Lexus NX, giving the Lexus NX a 52L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1428L vs 1141L.

For towing, the Lexus NX leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,100kg. That 400kg 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 Kia Seltos costs about $2,018 a year (6.9 L/100km, at $1.95/L petrol) and fuel for the Lexus NX about $1,575 a year (5 L/100km, at $2.10/L premium petrol). That is $443 a year less for the Lexus NX.

The weekly and 5-year figures in the price section above add repayments, rego, servicing and tyres to this; use our Fuel Cost Calculator for your own driving.

Warranty: 7 years / unlimited km (Kia Seltos) and 5 years / unlimited km (Lexus NX). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia Seltos), 4 years (Lexus NX).

Where each one leads

The Kia Seltos: the lower starting price ($31,250 against $71,700) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Lexus NX: more power (179kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (520L against 468L), the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 1,100kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,575 a year against $2,018).

The Verdict

Lexus NX scores higher, 79 vs 68

The Lexus NX scores 79 to the Kia Seltos's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 7 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (Lexus NX ahead by 34 points), safety (Lexus NX ahead by 33 points), fuel economy (Lexus NX ahead by 17 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Lexus NX costs about $443 less (5 L/100km against 6.9 L/100km, at $1.95/L petrol and $2.10/L premium petrol). Boot space with the seats up: 468L in the Kia Seltos, 520L in the Lexus NX. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Seltos, 5 on the Lexus NX.

Common questions