2027 Kia Seltos vs. Sportage

A Kia SUV Showdown for Indy Drivers

Kia handed Indy shoppers a fun problem this fall. The Seltos is all new for 2027, and it’s bigger and roomier than before. Meanwhile, the Sportage returns with a couple of smart upgrades. Both are compact SUVs, both offer all-wheel drive, and both would look right at home in a Fishers driveway. So which one earns a spot in yours?

• The all-new Seltos starts at $24,990, and its 2.0-liter engine earns an estimated 30 mpg combined with front-wheel drive.
• Sportage buyers get 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and tows up to 2,500 pounds with trailer brakes.
• Both SUVs offer all-wheel drive for icy mornings on I-465 and slushy side streets.

Two Sizes of Kia SUV

Start with the tape measure. At 174.4 inches long, the 2027 Seltos rides on a 105.9-inch wheelbase. The Sportage runs 184.4 inches on a 108.5-inch wheelbase, a full 10 inches longer. Kia calls the Seltos its entry SUV, and the Sportage is the larger compact one step up.

That extra length shows up in the back. With the cargo floor in its low setting, the Sportage holds 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Seltos offers 27.8 and 64.2 cubic feet in the same spots. Rear riders get 41.3 inches of legroom in the Sportage and 39.0 inches in the Seltos. Hauling coolers and life jackets to Geist Reservoir? The Sportage makes packing easier.

Engines and Fuel Economy

Two gas engines power the Seltos. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque through a continuously variable automatic that Kia calls an IVT. Top X-Line SX models step up to a 1.6-liter turbo with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft, paired with an 8-speed automatic and AWD. A Seltos Hybrid with electric AWD is on the way, but pricing and full specs aren’t out yet.

Every gas Sportage uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, matched to an 8-speed automatic. That’s 40 more horsepower than the base Seltos, handy when merging onto I-465 at rush hour. A Sportage Hybrid also starts at $30,590 and is rated at 41 mpg combined with FWD.

Among gas models, the Seltos wins on mileage. Kia estimates 28 city, 33 highway, and 30 combined mpg for the 2.0-liter Seltos with FWD. A FWD Sportage lands at 25/33/28. With AWD, the 2.0-liter Seltos earns 26/30/28, and the Sportage earns 24/30/26. On I-69 up to Noblesville, the two sit close. Around town, the Seltos saves a little at each fill-up.

Pricing and Trims

The 2027 Kia Seltos vs. Sportage price gap is easy to spot. Seltos pricing starts at $24,990 for the LX FWD, and the X-Line SX tops out at $32,790. For the gas Sportage, the LX FWD opens at $28,990, and the X-Pro AWD reaches $39,890. Those prices don’t include the $1,495 destination charge.

The Sportage X-Line gets a nice bump for 2027. A panoramic sunroof and a smart power liftgate now come standard on that trim. Every Seltos gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and upper trims can add a panoramic sunroof, Surround View Monitor, and ventilated front seats.

Built for Hoosier Roads

Central Indiana throws a bit of everything at your car. Winter brings ice on the I-70 ramps, and spring brings potholes that seem to grow overnight. Both offer AWD, and ground clearance reaches 8.1 inches on the Seltos X-Line SX and 8.3 inches on AWD Sportage models.

A fall trip down to Brown County State Park means hills and winding two-lane roads, where the turbo Seltos and its extra torque come in handy. Pulling a small utility trailer or a jet ski to Morse Reservoir? The Sportage is rated to tow up to 2,500 pounds with trailer brakes. No towing figure appears in Kia’s 2027 Seltos specs.

Matching the Right Kia to Your Routine

Go with the Seltos if you want the lower price, easier parking downtown near Mass Ave, and a few extra miles per gallon. It’s a great fit for solo commuters, IU Indianapolis students, and small households, and we think a mid-level Seltos hits the sweet spot on price. Go with the Sportage if adults ride in your back seat often, if you tow, or if you’d like hybrid and plug-in choices in the same family. Bring your car seat or golf bag along. Real gear settles it fast.

How the 2027 Kia Seltos vs. Sportage Specs Stack Up

*MSRP excludes the $1,495 destination charge. Fuel economy figures are Kia estimates. All specs from Kia America (kiamedia.com), September 2026.

Compare Both SUVs at Ray Skillman Northeast Kia

Stop by, and our team will walk you through the Seltos and Sportage trims, show you the hybrid options, and set up back-to-back test drives on roads you know. Shopping from Carmel, Fishers, Greenfield, or Lawrence? You can start your deal online through our Deal Center, get a trade-in offer, and even have your new Kia brought to your driveway. As part of the Ray Skillman Auto Group, we’re here long after you head home, with certified technicians and factory Kia parts for every service visit.

2027 Seltos and Sportage FAQ

Is the 2027 Kia Seltos bigger than the last Seltos?

Yes. The second-generation Seltos is larger than the model it replaces, and Kia says it offers more cabin space, more cargo space, and more screen space. It now measures 174.4 inches long with up to 64.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the front seats.

Which gets better gas mileage, the Seltos or the Sportage?

The Seltos wins among the gas models. Kia estimates 30 mpg combined for the Seltos 2.0-liter with FWD and 28 mpg combined for a FWD gas Sportage. If mileage is your top priority, the Sportage Hybrid is rated at 41 mpg combined with FWD.

How much can the 2027 Kia Sportage tow?

The gas Sportage is rated to tow up to 2,500 pounds with trailer brakes and 1,653 pounds without them. Kia doesn’t list a towing figure in its 2027 Seltos specifications, so ask our team before you plan to pull a trailer with one.

Is there a hybrid version of either SUV?

Yes. The 2027 Sportage Hybrid starts at $30,590 MSRP and the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid starts at $40,590 MSRP, both before the $1,495 destination charge. Kia has also announced a Seltos Hybrid with electric AWD, with pricing and full specs due closer to its on-sale date.

Do both SUVs offer AWD for Indiana winters?

Yes. AWD is available on the Seltos LX, S, and EX and comes on both X-Line trims. On the gas Sportage, AWD is available on the LX, EX, and SX Prestige and comes standard on the X-Line and X-Pro, but it isn’t offered on the SX.