2020 Kia Seltos Competitors

With the new Seltos, Kia finally has its answer for the compact SUV market in North America.

"The Seltos is unrivaled in terms of design and performance. It will be a game changer in the highly competitive global compact SUV market," Kia Executive Vice President Kwon Hyug-ho said in the statement.

In terms of its size the Seltos is expected to slot between the Soul and Sportage in Kia’s lineup. But with the Niro already on sale in North America it will be interesting to see what Kia does with the two SUVs.

The biggest thing the Seltos has going for it is its striking design and technology features. In India, customers will have a long list of available options like an eight-inch heads-up display, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, LG-sourced 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and eight-speaker Bose sound system. The infotainment system offers split-screen function, integrated 3D navigation system and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

In South Korea, the price of the Seltos is roughly between $16,000-$22,000 USD. If Kia can offer a similar price range for the Seltos in the United States, it would give it a significant advantage in a crowded group of competitors.

That list includes:

• Buick Encore ($23,200 - $26,295)
• Chevrolet Trax ($21,300 - $28,595)
• Fiat 500X ($19,995 - $25,585)
• Ford Ecosport ($19,995 - $27,275)
• Honda HR-V ($20,620 - $28,640)
• Hyundai Kona ($18,990 - $30,550)
• Jeep Compass ($22,095 - $26,290)
• Jeep Renegade ($22,275 - $26,645)
• Kia Niro ($23, 490 - $32,250)
• Mazda CX-3 ($20,390 - $25, 745)
• Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ($20,945 - $26,545)
• Nissan Rogue Sport ($18,640 - $20,970)
• Subaru Crosstrek ($21, 895 - $27,195)
• Toyota C-HR ($21,145 - $26,200)

With so many alternatives in this segment to choose from, the Kia has to rely on the Seltos’ design, technology options, and pricing for it to capture the market’s attention.