Compare the2026 Kia SeltosVS 2025 Hyundai Tucson

Both the Seltos and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Seltos is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Seltos is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 1 place higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Seltos SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (190 vs. 187) and 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 178) than the Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Seltos is faster than the Hyundai Tucson:

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the Tucson:

The Seltos has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tucson doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Seltos stops shorter than the Tucson:

The Seltos’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson’s standard 65 series tires. The Seltos SX’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Tucson’s optional 55 series tires.

The Seltos has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tucson doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Seltos S AWD handles at .85 G’s, while the Tucson Limited AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Seltos S AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Tucson Limited AWD (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Seltos’ turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the Tucson’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 550 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson.

The Seltos is 10.1 inches shorter than the Tucson, making the Seltos easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Consumer Reports rated the Seltos’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Tucson’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

Both the Seltos and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Seltos has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tucson doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Kia Seltos retains 55.6% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 54.08% resale value of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson after five years, which can save the Kia’s owner up to $2220.91495 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Tucson, based on reliability, safety and performance.