The Kia Seltos is South Korean automaker Kia’s subcompact SUV model. The Seltos comes in five different trim levels, including a Nightfall edition. Which version of the Seltos is the best?

The 2023 Kia Seltos comes in five different trim levels

There are plenty of 2023 Kia Seltos options available for buyers. The Seltos comes in LX, S, EX, Nightfall, and SX trims. The subcompact SUV starts at $22,840. It tops out at $28,340 with the SX trim. Which Seltos trim provides the most value for the money?

Subcompact SUVs have become great sedan alternatives. These SUVs are still small enough to squeeze into most crowded city parking spaces and are roughly within the same price range as sedans. The EX is Car and Driver’s pick for the best 2023 Seltos trim. It starts at $26,140.

The EX is smack dab in the middle of Seltos trim options and balances affordability and standard features well. It won’t break the bank, and it certainly isn’t barebones.

The 2023 Kia Seltos EX comes standard with heated front seats, wireless smartphone charging, and all-wheel drive. It also includes a sunroof, SynTex seats, and heated outside mirrors with LED turn signals. The subcompact SUV features auto emergency braking technology, a driver attention warning, and lane-keeping assist.

Which version of the Kia Seltos is best?

Which 2023 Kia Seltos models should you want, pass on, and buy? The base model Kia Seltos LX trim is the most affordable, but its list of standard features pales in comparison to other trims. The Seltos S is the only Seltos trim level that doesn’t include standard all-wheel drive, so that’s a pass for many American drivers.

The EX seems to be the most attractive offering of the bunch, so it falls in the buy category. The Kia Seltos Nightfall Edition’s greatest contribution to the nameplate is its turbocharged four-cylinder engine and some style upgrades.

The Nightfall Edition is a pass compared to the more affordable EX. The LX final trim level is loaded with standard features, but its high starting price places it in the pass category for many consumers as well. So, when you break down standard features and affordability, Car and Driver’s top 2023 Seltos pick, the EX, seems to be the clear choice among Seltos trims.

Is the Kia Seltos a good buy?

The 2023 Kia Seltos is a great subcompact SUV, but it isn’t the best in its vehicle segment. U.S. News & World Report features the Hyundai Kona at the top of its list of best subcompact SUVs. The Kona is also featured on a U.S. News & World Report list of best cars for the money.

The Hyundai Kona is praised for its fuel economy and affordability. The Seltos comes second to the Kia Soul when it comes to subcompact SUVs in the South Korean automaker’s lineup. The Soul is a subcompact SUV staple. The Seltos provides great value for the money, but can’t stand against rivals like the Hyundai Kona.

Read more about the Hyundai Kona in the next article below.