Small SUVs like the 2025 Kia Seltos and 2025 Mazda CX-30 deliver the elevated ride height and a commanding view of the road that sport-utility shoppers love. Because of their smaller proportions, the Seltos and CX-30 are easy to navigate through busy traffic, while possessing a modest appetite for fuel.
We consider the Seltos a prime example of what a subcompact SUV should be. It doesn’t hurt that it boasts best-in-class warranties; however, we also point to its interior space, general drivability, and budget-friendly fuel economy as evidence of its overall appeal.
Somewhat of an outlier in the subcompact SUV class, the CX-30 exhibits a unique disdain for the segment’s tradition of maximizing cargo space; instead, it opts for sleek styling and a performance-intensive persona. Even its base engine packs a punch comparable to the typical engine upgrade of many rivals. Furthermore, its handling dynamics are positively European-esque.
Now that we have a handle on their basic subcompact SUV blueprints, so to speak, let’s explore the highlights of the Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30.
2025 Kia Seltos
The 2024 Kia Seltos comes in five trims: LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX. Despite a rather significant update last year, Kia upgraded the Seltos cabin with improved materials for 2025. Continuing as the base powertrain is a 146-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder working in conjunction with a continuously variable automatic transmission. An optional turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder produces 195 hp and is coupled to an 8-speed automatic.
Despite its modest starting price, the Seltos is brimming with features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch alloy wheels, three USB ports, high-beam assist, and a rear-seat reminder. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on the LX, X-Line, and SX models and optional on the S and EX trims. Pricing starts at $25,965, including the destination charge.
Kia Seltos Highlights
Roomy interior: In sizing up the Seltos, you might think passenger space and cargo volume are going to be skimpy, especially for any unsuspecting soul relegated to the second row. Surprisingly, this little Kia SUV is roomy, and outward visibility is excellent. You won’t find limo-like accommodations in the rear seat, but 38 inches of legroom is more than adequate for average-size adults. By the way, that’s nearly 2.0 inches more than Seltos.
X-Line trim: Its cute design of Seltos doesn’t shout “off-roading SUV,” though, this hasn’t stopped Kia from giving the Seltos a bit more attitude with the X-Line trim. Its main highlights consist of underbody skid plates, roof rails, 18-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, a gunmetal-hued front grille, black exterior trim, and standard all-wheel drive.
Dual panoramic displays: These classy and upscale-looking 10.25-inch displays serve as a digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. They are standard in all but the base LX model.
Class-leading warranty: The Seltos goes into beast mode when the talk turns to warranty coverage. You get a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Read our Kia Seltos Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Seltos models for sale near you.
2025 Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 offers eight trims, with pricing starting at $26,415, including the factory-to-dealer destination charge.
Serving as the entry-level engine is a 191-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that sends torque to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic. A turbocharged version of this same 4-cylinder churns out 227 hp running on regular-grade gas or 250 hp with premium-grade fuel. Zoom, zoom.
Standard comfort and tech items include an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, wired smartphone connectivity, a pair of USB-C ports, keyless entry, and 16-inch alloys.
Mazda CX-30 Highlights
Superb steering, punchy turbo engine: No matter which of the two available engines is under the hood, the star attraction is the CX-30’s sharp handling. You’ll find yourself attacking tight, twisty roads as if you were behind the wheel of a sports sedan. Adding the optional turbo engine gives this little Mazda quicker acceleration to match its fun-loving handling.
Premium cabin: The interior of the CX-30 wouldn’t look out of place in a vehicle costing thousands more. Added available touches like leather seating, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a head-up display, heated front seats, ambient lighting, and a powerful Bose audio system all impart a luxury-like feel to the cabin.
Safety features: Every CX-30 comes with driver aids like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, and a driver attention monitor. Backing up its safety credentials is Top Safety Pick+ status as awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Standard AWD: Mazda decided a couple of years ago that its SUVs would come standard with all-wheel drive. So, with the CX-30, what is often an upcharge feature on most rivals is standard and having this added road grip doesn’t mean forking over more money.
Read our Mazda CX-30 Expert Review or see 2025 Mazda CX-30 models for sale near you.
Similarities
With less than $1,000 separating the base prices of the Seltos and CX-30, the starting price isn’t much of a factor when picking one over the other. Their small sizes mean they’re highly manageable in a city, while their compliant suspensions make them equally adaptable to long highway stints. Each has a standard 4-cylinder that gets the job done, though available turbo engines add more excitement when zipping down the road or accelerating from a traffic light.
Used Prices
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia Seltos vehicles and vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Kia Seltos | 2025 Mazda CX-30 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 146 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 191 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 186 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 28 city/34 highway/31 combined | 26 city/33 highway/29 combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 1.6-liter 4-cyl, 8-speed automatic, AWD | Turbo 2.5-liter 4-cyl. |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 103.5 inches | 104.4 inches |
| Overall Length | 172.6 inches | 173.0 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 70.7 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 61.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 34.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 38.1 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.4 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 36.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.5 inches | 55.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.7 inches | 53.6 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 26.6 cubic feet | 20.2 cubic feet |
Conclusion
Starting with the Mazda CX-30, we’ll admit that getting behind the wheel of this subcompact SUV always gives us reason to smile. It’s simply a blast to drive, which is something you don’t expect when shopping for an affordable, small sport-ute. Strong safety scores mean it’s a smart and sensible pick, too; however, there are downsides. The most notable is a lack of rear legroom and trunk volume that doesn’t compare well to many competitors (including the Seltos).
While it can’t match the CX-30 for corner-carving thrills, the Seltos provides a great blend of value, interior volume, quality, feature content, and technology. The dual-screen setup looks like its straight out of a German luxury sedan and works great; it’s a step ahead of the Mazda’s infotainment unit that’s primarily controlled via a knob and buttons on the center console. The Seltos also holds the advantage regarding rear legroom, cargo space, and warranty coverage.
