2027 Kia Seltos Redesign & Trim Comparison: Which Trim Fits Emerald Coast Drivers?

November 5th, 2026 by

The Kia Seltos just got its first full redesign, and the changes run deeper than a new face. Here’s what’s new for 2027, how the five gas trims compare, and which one fits life on the Emerald Coast.

The 2027 Kia Seltos is a full redesign with Telluride-inspired styling, a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase, more cargo room, and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, with the first-ever Seltos Hybrid still to come. Five gas trims (LX, S, EX, X-Line S, and X-Line SX) start at $24,990 MSRP.

Step One Kia Fort Walton Beach serves drivers from Okaloosa Island, Destin, and Panama City, with a 29-bay service department staffed by factory-trained Kia technicians. Below, we cover what changed, compare every trim, and share which Seltos we recommend for your budget.

2027 Kia Seltos exterior design

Key Points: 2027 Kia Seltos

  • The S trim is the easy step up. Its modest premium over the LX buys the safety and convenience features commuters notice first.
  • Every trim carries the same long-term safety net. Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty covers the entire 2027 Seltos lineup.
  • Front-wheel drive makes sense here. Northwest Florida has no snow to plan around, and our fuel check below shows what skipping AWD saves.

What’s New for the Redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos?

Compared with the 2026 model, the redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos, a small SUV slotted between the Soul and the Sportage, grows where it counts: a longer wheelbase, more rear legroom, more cargo space, bigger screens, and a new hybrid option. Kia also gave it the boxy, upright look of its larger Telluride.

The result feels less like an entry-level crossover and more like a scaled-down family SUV. The trade-off is price: the 2027 LX starts $1,200 higher than the 2026 LX it replaces.

Is the Redesigned Seltos Bigger?

Yes, and the biggest gain is wheelbase, the distance between the front and rear axles that shapes rear-seat room.

  • Wheelbase: 105.9 inches, up 2.4 inches
  • Rear legroom: 39 inches, up from 38
  • Cargo behind the rear seat: an estimated 27.8 cubic feet, up from 26.6
  • Maximum cargo: an estimated 64.2 cubic feet, up from 62.8

What New Technology Does the 2027 Seltos Offer?

The 2027 Kia Seltos interior borrows tech that used to live in Kia’s pricier SUVs.

  • A standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • An available 12.3-inch digital driver display
  • Five USB-C ports
  • 13 standard collision-avoidance and driver-assist features on every trim
  • Available Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor

What Engines and AWD Options Come on the 2027 Kia Seltos?

The 2027 Kia Seltos uses a 147-hp 2.0L four-cylinder on the LX, S, EX, and X-Line S, and a 190-hp 1.6L turbo with an 8-speed automatic on the X-Line SX. AWD is available on every trim and standard on both X-Line models.

The 2.0L engine pairs with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), a continuously variable automatic that keeps the engine in its most efficient range, favoring fuel economy over quickness. The turbo adds 43 hp and 63 lb-ft of torque, which helps when merging onto US-98 toward Panama City.

When Does the First-Ever Seltos Hybrid Arrive?

The 2027 Seltos Hybrid pairs a 1.6L four-cylinder with an electric motor and a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, offered with front-wheel drive or available e-AWD. E-AWD is an electrified all-wheel-drive system that adds rear traction on demand. As of early November 2026, Kia lists the hybrid as upcoming and hasn’t published pricing or EPA estimates.

2027 Kia Seltos Trim Levels Compared

The 2027 Kia Seltos trim levels are LX, S, EX, X-Line S, and X-Line SX. Each step adds equipment: safety and convenience on the S, comfort on the EX, and rugged styling with standard AWD on the X-Line trims, plus the turbo on the SX.

Trim Drivetrain Notable Features Starting MSRP (FWD / AWD)
LX FWD or AWD 16-in. alloys, 12.3-in. touchscreen, Smart Cruise Control $24,990 / $26,690
S FWD or AWD 18-in. wheels, blind-spot collision avoidance, power driver’s seat, wireless charging $26,390 / $28,090
EX FWD or AWD Heated front seats, SynTex upholstery, dual-zone auto climate, smart power liftgate $28,390 / $30,090
X-Line S AWD X-Line styling, roof rails, LED fog lights, 18-in. black wheels $28,990
X-Line SX AWD 1.6L turbo, terrain modes, panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, 19-in. black wheels $32,790

Starting MSRPs are Kia’s published figures and exclude the $1,495 destination charge, taxes, title, license, options, and dealer charges. Contact our team to confirm current pricing and availability.

On the LX, S, and EX, AWD adds $1,700 to the sticker. The surprise sits in the middle of the ladder: the X-Line S, with AWD standard, starts $1,100 below an EX with AWD.

What’s the Difference Between the 2027 Seltos LX, S, and EX?

The 2027 Seltos LX, S, and EX share the same 2.0L engine, touchscreen, and drivetrain choices, so the difference is equipment. The S costs $1,400 more than the LX and adds the features that make a busy commute easier. The EX costs another $2,000 and focuses on comfort.

Is the Seltos EX Worth Upgrading To?

The Seltos EX is worth it for families who load and unload often. The smart power liftgate opens automatically when you stand behind the SUV with the key fob, and dual-zone climate lets the driver and passenger each set a temperature.

What Makes the 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Different?

The 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line S and X-Line SX get unique fascias, piano-black fender flares, blacked-out trim, and exclusive wheels. X-Line trims also offer up to 8.1 inches of ground clearance (the space between the road and the underbody), the most in the lineup.

Our Take: Which 2027 Kia Seltos Should You Choose?

For most drivers in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Okaloosa Island, we recommend the 2027 Kia Seltos S with front-wheel drive. The S adds the blind-spot help that busy beach-season traffic calls for, and front-wheel drive suits a region where snow rarely, if ever, enters the forecast.

What Does AWD Really Cost on the Emerald Coast?

We ran the fuel math with Kia’s EPA combined estimates, 15,000 miles a year, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Lower Atlantic regular gas average ($3.832 per gallon, week of October 26, 2026).

Powertrain Est. Combined MPG Est. Yearly Fuel Cost
2.0L FWD 30 $1,916
2.0L AWD 28 $2,053
1.6L Turbo AWD 26 $2,211

Over five years, AWD on an LX, S, or EX adds about $684 in fuel on top of its $1,700 sticker premium, roughly $2,384 in total. Real-world mileage and gas prices will vary.

Driving here means summer heat, afternoon downpours, sandy parking lots, and US-98 traffic between Okaloosa Island and Destin, not icy hills. Good tires handle most of that in a front-wheel-drive Seltos. Heat matters more, and ventilated front seats come only with the X-Line SX Prestige Package.

The catch: AWD still earns its keep on unpaved roads and grass lots, or for drivers who want extra traction in heavy rain. Shoppers chasing maximum mpg may want to wait for Seltos Hybrid pricing and EPA figures.

  • Tightest budget: LX FWD
  • Daily commuters: S FWD, our best-value pick
  • Families hauling beach gear: EX FWD
  • AWD on a budget: X-Line S
  • Most power and features: X-Line SX with the Prestige Package
  • Maximum mpg: the upcoming Seltos Hybrid

Test Drive the 2027 Kia Seltos at Step One Kia Fort Walton Beach

The best way to find your Seltos is behind the wheel. Step One Kia Fort Walton Beach, on Beal Parkway in Fort Walton Beach, FL, welcomes drivers from Okaloosa Island, Destin, and Panama City.

Browse our new Kia Seltos inventory, compare all new Kia models, or review current Kia lease and finance offers, then contact our team to schedule a test drive.

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