Kia Seltos trim comparison
2025 Kia Seltos LX vs S
The Seltos LX starts at $24,690 while the S is $25,190. That $500 gap buys 5 meaningful differences.
The S adds FWD instead of AWD. If you deal with winter roads or need traction off-pavement, that could be worth $500 by itself. If not, the LX saves you the money.
The LX is the cleaner fit if AWD already covers the job. The S only earns the extra money when FWD is the reason you are shopping up.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the LX to the S is about $9/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $540 more by the time interest is counted. The real question is whether FWD changes your day-to-day use enough to justify paying above AWD.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when extra traction matters for your weather, roads, or weekend use.
When both feel the same
The LX and S are mechanically identical where it counts: the same continuously variable-speed automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $500 for 4 measurable differences, which works out to about $125 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 5 specification differences, 3 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2025. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | LX | S |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $24,690 | $25,190 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.0L I4 | 2.0L I4 |
| Horsepower | 146 hp | 146 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 27 | 28 |
| Highway MPG | 31 | 34 |
| Combined MPG | 29 | 31 |
| Fuel Tank | 13.2 gal | 13.2 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | $1,500/yr | $1,400/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,186 lbs | 2,970 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 103.5" | 103.5" |
| Length | 172.6" | 172.6" |
| Width | 70.9" | 70.9" |
| Height | 63.4" | 64.0" |
| Safety | ||
| NHTSA Overall | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
| Powertrain | 10yr/100k | 10yr/100k |
| Corrosion | 5yr/100k | 5yr/100k |
| Roadside Assistance | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2025 Kia Seltos LX vs S Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Kia Seltos lineup, the Kia brand hub, the Subcompact SUVs, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2025 Seltos S cost than the LX?
The S starts at $25,190 compared to $24,690 for the LX. That is a $500 difference, or approximately $9/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2025 Kia Seltos LX and S have the same engine?
Yes. Both use the 2.0L I4 producing 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. The engine hardware does not change between these trims, so the real differences are in equipment and feature content.
Does the 2025 Seltos LX come with FWD?
No. The LX comes standard with AWD while the S has FWD. This affects traction, fuel economy, and curb weight.
Is the 2025 Seltos LX or S safer?
Both share the same Kia Seltos platform with an overall 5-star NHTSA safety rating. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.
What warranty does the 2025 Kia Seltos come with?
All 2025 Kia Seltos trims, including both the LX and S, come with Kia's standard warranty: 5yr/60k bumper-to-bumper and 10yr/100k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Is the 2025 Kia Seltos S worth $500 more than the LX?
The $500 adds FWD. Worth it if you need the traction. Not worth it if you drive on dry roads year-round.
Which 2025 Kia Seltos trim gets better fuel economy, the LX or the S?
The S is the more efficient of the two at 31 combined MPG, versus 29 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
What $500 Gets You
The Seltos S is a clear upgrade over the LX. The $500 price increase gets you FWD -- real functional changes, not just cosmetics.
LX vs. S: Day-to-Day
The S drops to FWD from the LX's AWD. Less traction capability, but potentially better fuel economy.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The Seltos S gets 2 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $93 per year or $465 over five years of ownership.
What Both Trims Share
Despite the differences above, the LX and S share engine and transmission, keeping the core Seltos experience consistent across trims.
Summary
The Seltos S costs $500 more than the LX (about $9/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 4 meaningful changes at $125 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Kia Seltos LX
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the LX best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Kia Seltos S
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the S when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2025 model year. 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 Kia or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.