2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS vs 2026 Kia Seltos LX

42 more lb-ft torque vs 2 MPG better. That is the real fork. Key numbers: 155 vs 147 hp, 27 vs 29 MPG.

The short answer

The Trailblazer LS leads on 42 more lb-ft torque. The Seltos LX leads on 2 MPG better. The spec table compares 6 specifications head to head.

N/A
Price Gap
8 HP
HP Diff
2 MPG
Efficiency Diff
Vehicle A
2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS
Starts at $25,000
VS
Vehicle B
2026 Kia Seltos LX
Starts at $24,990

Key Differences at a Glance

Engine
1.3L I3 Turbo
vs
2.0L I4
Horsepower
155 hp
vs
147 hp
Torque
174 lb-ft
vs
132 lb-ft
Fuel Economy
27 MPG combined
vs
29 MPG combined
Annual Fuel Cost
$1,600/yr
vs
$1,500/yr

What's Actually Different

These two vehicles differ in 6 specifications.

MSRP
$25,000Trailblazer LS
$24,990Seltos LX
Engine
1.3L I3 TurboTrailblazer LS
2.0L I4Seltos LX
Horsepower
155 hpTrailblazer LS
147 hpSeltos LX
Torque
174 lb-ftTrailblazer LS
132 lb-ftSeltos LX
Transmission
9-speed shiftable automaticTrailblazer LS
continuously variable-speed automaticSeltos LX
City MPG
26Trailblazer LS
27Seltos LX
Highway MPG
29Trailblazer LS
31Seltos LX
Combined MPG
27Trailblazer LS
29Seltos LX
Annual Fuel Cost (EPA)
$1,600/yrTrailblazer LS
$1,500/yrSeltos LX
Curb Weight
3,252 lbsTrailblazer LS
3,186 lbsSeltos LX
Wheelbase
104.0"Trailblazer LS
103.5"Seltos LX
Length
174.1"Trailblazer LS
172.6"Seltos LX
Width
71.2"Trailblazer LS
70.9"Seltos LX
Height
64.7"Trailblazer LS
63.6"Seltos LX
Bumper-to-Bumper
3yr/36kTrailblazer LS
5yr/60kSeltos LX
Powertrain
5yr/60kTrailblazer LS
10yr/100kSeltos LX
Corrosion
6yr/100kTrailblazer LS
5yr/100kSeltos LX

Full Specification Comparison

Specifications and pricing reflect available data as of early 2026 and may not match current manufacturer figures. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision.

Spec2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS2026 Kia Seltos LX
Pricing
MSRP$25,000$24,990
Powertrain
Engine1.3L I3 Turbo2.0L I4
Horsepower155 hp147 hp
Torque174 lb-ft132 lb-ft
Transmission9-speed shiftable automaticcontinuously variable-speed automatic
DrivetrainAWDAWD
Fuel Economy
City MPG2627
Highway MPG2931
Combined MPG2729
Fuel Tank13.2 gal13.2 gal
Annual Fuel Cost (EPA)$1,600/yr$1,500/yr
Dimensions
Curb Weight3,252 lbs3,186 lbs
Wheelbase104.0"103.5"
Length174.1"172.6"
Width71.2"70.9"
Height64.7"63.6"
Safety
NHTSA Overall5/5 stars5/5 stars
Warranty
Bumper-to-Bumper3yr/36k5yr/60k
Powertrain5yr/60k10yr/100k
Corrosion6yr/100k5yr/100k
Roadside Assistance5yr/60k5yr/60k

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price difference between the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS and 2026 Kia Seltos LX?

The 2026 Kia Seltos LX starts at $24,990, $10 less than the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS at $25,000. That gap is small enough that monthly payments are nearly identical. Focus on which vehicle fits your life, not the sticker.

Who should choose the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS is the stronger pick when you prefer the Chevrolet approach to the compact SUV segment.

Who should choose the 2026 Kia Seltos LX?

The 2026 Kia Seltos LX is the stronger pick when you want to keep $10 in your pocket and the 2026 Kia Seltos LX covers your needs; lower running costs matter to you, roughly $108/year less on fuel.

Which gets better fuel economy, the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS or 2026 Kia Seltos LX?

The 2026 Kia Seltos LX rates 29 combined MPG, 2 MPG ahead.

Which is more powerful, the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS or 2026 Kia Seltos LX?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS produces 155 hp, 8 more than the 2026 Kia Seltos LX at 147 hp. The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS also leads in torque at 174 lb-ft vs 132 lb-ft. The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS runs a 1.3L I3 Turbo; the 2026 Kia Seltos LX uses a 2.0L I4.

Is the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS bigger than the 2026 Kia Seltos LX?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS is 1.5″ longer at 174.1″ vs 172.6″. The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS has a 0.5″ longer wheelbase, which typically means more rear-seat legroom.

How do the warranties compare?

The Chevrolet Trailblazer comes with 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain. The Kia Seltos offers 5yr/60k bumper-to-bumper and 10yr/100k powertrain. Longer warranty coverage can offset higher maintenance costs over time.

Explore more: Chevrolet trims, Chevrolet Trailblazer trims, Kia trims, Kia Seltos trims

Official sources

How the Trailblazer and Seltos Stack Up

Two compact SUVs, two different takes on daily versatility. The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS ($25,000) and 2026 Kia Seltos LX ($24,990) solve similar problems in different ways. The $-10 price gap works out to less than $10/month on a typical loan, so the cost difference is negligible. Pick on fit, not on price.

Powertrain: Trailblazer vs Seltos

The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS runs a 1.3L I3 Turbo; the 2026 Kia Seltos LX uses a 2.0L I4. The 8 hp difference (155 vs 147) is marginal in daily driving. The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS adds 42 more lb-ft of torque (174 vs 132), giving it stronger low-end pull off the line. Both use AWD.

What It Actually Costs to Own

The 2026 Kia Seltos LX saves roughly $108/year on fuel at $3.50/gallon and 12,000 annual miles. Over five years, that is $540.

Which One Should You Buy?

Choose the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS when you prefer the Chevrolet approach to the compact SUV segment. Choose the 2026 Kia Seltos LX when you want to keep $10 in your pocket and the 2026 Kia Seltos LX covers your needs.

Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Chevrolet or Kia or any dealership.

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