Why the S AWD Is the Compact-SUV Sweet Spot

Kia did the smart thing with the all-new 2027 Seltos: it kept the starting price in the part of the market where normal people still shop. In Kia’s official pricing announcement, the redesigned Seltos starts at $24,990 before the $1,495 destination charge, and the lineup tops out at $32,790 for the turbocharged X-Line SX AWD. That matters because compact-SUV buyers are not hunting for another overstyled budget crossover that somehow wanders into midsize-SUV money.

The trim most people should price first is the S AWD at $28,090 before destination. It includes everything shoppers actually care about: standard AWD, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Kia’s driver-assistance suite, while staying just under the psychological $30,000 threshold before destination fees. The EX AWD at $30,090 is not outrageous, but once destination lands and the finance sheet starts doing its little horror-movie impression, the S AWD looks like the smarter balance.

Kia also made the new Seltos easier to defend against the usual suspects. The official release says the redesign brings a longer wheelbase, more rear legroom, and up to 64.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which is exactly the kind of boring practical upgrade that matters if your weekend plans include Costco runs, strollers, or a dog that thinks every car ride is an emergency. Motor1’s pricing coverage comes down to the same basic takeaway: Kia updated the looks and tech without blowing up the value story.

If you want the punchier 190-hp turbo and 8-speed automatic, the X-Line SX AWD is the only way to get it, and at $32,790 before destination, that had better matter to you. For most buyers cross-shopping a Corolla Cross, HR-V, or Crosstrek, the real win here is that the Seltos still offers useful space, decent tech, and available all-weather confidence without pretending every compact SUV needs a near-luxury price tag. Price the S AWD first, then climb higher only if you know exactly which extra feature you are paying for.