2027 Nissan Kicks vs. 2027 Kia Seltos

Choosing between the 2027 Nissan Kicks vs. 2027 Kia Seltos comes down to what you actually need from a small SUV: a lower starting price and strong fuel economy, or more available horsepower, passenger space, and maximum cargo room. Both are compelling choices for St. Louis drivers dealing with I-70 and I-64 commutes, winter roads, and tight parking garages downtown. The comparison gets even more interesting for 2027 because the Seltos has been completely redesigned, while the Kicks expands its lineup with a new Rock Creek model. If you want to see the Kicks in person, you can browse the new Nissan Kicks inventory at AutoCenters Nissan while you weigh the details below.

2027 Nissan Kicks vs. 2027 Kia Seltos: Which Small SUV Fits St. Louis Drivers Best?

The Nissan Kicks is built around affordability, efficiency, and everyday practicality, which makes it a natural fit for budget-conscious drivers who spend most of their time in city traffic or commuting through the St. Louis metro area. The redesigned Kia Seltos is larger for 2027 and leans into a more upscale, versatile feel, with a turbocharged engine option, additional rear-seat space, and more maximum cargo capacity.

Your priorities decide the winner here. Stretching your vehicle budget and getting strong highway fuel economy point toward the Kicks. Wanting extra muscle, a roomier cabin, or additional maximum cargo room points toward the Seltos.

Pricing and Trims: Why the Kicks Starts Lower Than the Seltos

The 2027 Nissan Kicks starts at $22,790 for the S FWD. The SV FWD starts at $24,490, while the SR FWD starts at $27,595. Drivers looking for all-wheel drive can choose the SV AWD starting at $26,490, the new Rock Creek AWD at $28,840, or the SR AWD at $29,395.

The redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos starts at $24,990 for the LX FWD. The S FWD starts at $26,390 and the EX FWD at $28,390. Kia also offers the LX AWD at $26,690, S AWD at $28,090, EX AWD at $30,090, X-Line S AWD at $28,990, and turbocharged X-Line SX AWD at $32,790.

That puts the entry-level Kicks S FWD about $2,200 below the Seltos LX FWD before destination charges, options, taxes, and other costs. At the top end of the gas-powered lineups, the Kicks SR AWD also starts about $3,395 below the Seltos X-Line SX.

Bottom line: If purchase price is a major factor in your Nissan Kicks vs. Kia Seltos search, the Kicks provides a noticeably lower starting point. AutoCenters Nissan customers can also apply for financing online before visiting the dealership to get a better sense of their purchasing options.

Performance and Powertrain: Turbo Power vs. Everyday Efficiency

Engineering-wise, these two SUVs take different approaches to getting you down the road.

Kia Seltos’ Available Turbo Engine and Higher Output

Most 2027 Seltos models use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission, or IVT. Front-wheel drive is standard on the LX, S, and EX, with all-wheel drive available. The X-Line S comes standard with AWD.

Drivers who want considerably more power can move up to the X-Line SX. Its 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD.

That 49-horsepower advantage over the Kicks is substantial on paper. Drivers who frequently merge onto I-70, pass at highway speeds, or simply prefer stronger acceleration are likely to appreciate what the Seltos X-Line SX brings to the comparison.

Nissan Kicks’ Efficient Standard Powertrain

The Nissan Kicks keeps things simpler. Every 2027 Kicks uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, paired with an Xtronic continuously variable transmission.

Front-wheel drive is offered on the S, SV, and SR, while Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is available on the SV and SR. The new Rock Creek comes standard with AWD and adds a more rugged personality to the lineup.

The Kicks will not match the turbocharged Seltos X-Line SX for horsepower, but outright acceleration is not really the point. Its powertrain emphasizes predictable everyday performance and strong fuel economy, a useful combination for commuting through St. Louis traffic.

Bottom line: The Seltos X-Line SX wins when maximum horsepower and torque are priorities. The Kicks makes a stronger case for drivers who value straightforward performance, fuel efficiency, and a lower entry price.

Fuel Economy and AWD: Which SUV Suits St. Louis Commutes and Winters?

Fuel economy and traction both matter in Missouri, especially when a normal commute suddenly turns into a drive through snow, slush, or freezing rain.

Up to 35 Highway MPG with the Kicks FWD

Front-wheel-drive versions of the 2027 Kicks are rated at an EPA-estimated 28 MPG city, 35 MPG highway, and 31 MPG combined. AWD configurations are rated at 27 MPG city, 34 MPG highway, and 30 MPG combined.

The 2027 Seltos with its 2.0-liter engine and FWD is rated at 28 MPG city, 33 MPG highway, and 30 MPG combined. AWD versions of the 2.0-liter Seltos are rated at 26 MPG city, 30 MPG highway, and 28 MPG combined. The turbocharged X-Line SX AWD comes in at 24 MPG city, 30 MPG highway, and 26 MPG combined.

That gives the Kicks an advantage for highway efficiency, particularly for drivers regularly covering longer stretches of I-55, I-64, or I-70. The difference is smaller around town, but frequent highway commuters may appreciate those extra miles between fuel stops.

Available AWD for Missouri Weather

The 2027 Kicks offers Nissan Intelligent All-Wheel Drive on the SV and SR, while the new Rock Creek comes standard with it. AWD versions also provide a Snow drive mode, and every Kicks has 8.4 inches of ground clearance.

The Seltos takes a broad approach to AWD as well. AWD is available on the LX, S, and EX and standard on the X-Line S and X-Line SX. AWD-equipped versions provide a Snow drive mode, while the turbocharged X-Line SX goes further with terrain settings for Snow, Mud, and Sand.

For St. Louis drivers who regularly encounter icy overpasses or slushy side streets, either vehicle can be equipped for added traction. One notable difference is clearance. The Kicks provides 8.4 inches across the lineup, while the Seltos ranges from 7.5 inches on the LX to 8.1 inches on the X-Line SX.

Size and Maneuverability for City and Suburban Driving

This comparison changed significantly for 2027 because Kia made the second-generation Seltos larger.

The Kicks measures 171.9 inches long and 70.9 inches wide. Depending on configuration, it stands roughly 64 inches tall and provides 8.4 inches of ground clearance.

The 2027 Seltos stretches to 174.4 inches long and 72.0 inches wide. Height varies by trim, ranging from about 63.0 to 65.0 inches, while ground clearance ranges from 7.5 to 8.1 inches.

That makes the Kicks about 2.5 inches shorter and 1.1 inches narrower. Those are not enormous differences, but they can help when maneuvering through older parking garages, crowded shopping centers, or tighter city streets.

The Seltos uses its larger footprint to provide additional room inside. It offers 39.0 inches of rear legroom compared with 34.5 inches in the Kicks, making the Kia particularly appealing to drivers who frequently carry adults in the back seat.

Cargo space is more nuanced. The Kicks offers up to 30.0 cubic feet behind the rear seats and as much as 60.0 cubic feet with them folded, although cargo capacity is lower in AWD configurations. The Seltos provides 27.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats but expands to 64.2 cubic feet when they are folded.

That gives the Kicks an edge in maximum cargo room behind the rear seats in its roomiest configuration, while the Seltos wins when you fold everything down for larger loads.

Safety and Technology: Strong Standard Driver Assistance on Both

The 2027 Kicks continues to include a useful collection of driver-assistance technologies even though Nissan’s packaging has changed compared with the previous model year.

Standard features include Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Intelligent Driver Alertness, and Intelligent Cruise Control.

Higher trims add more. The Rock Creek and SR include the Intelligent Around View Monitor and Rear Automatic Braking, while the SR also adds Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention, Intelligent Lane Intervention, and ProPILOT Assist.

Kia significantly expanded the technology story with the redesigned Seltos. Every 2027 Seltos includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist detection, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Warning, and front and rear parking sensors.

Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Safe Exit Warning become standard beginning with the S trim rather than the base LX. Additional technology such as a Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor is available on the X-Line SX through its Prestige Package.

Bottom line: The Kicks has a strong advantage at its lower starting price because Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are included even on the entry model. The redesigned Seltos counters with an extensive standard assistance package of its own, along with more advanced available features as you move through the lineup.

Nissan Kicks vs. Kia Seltos: Which One Makes More Sense for Commuters?

For many daily commuters comparing the 2027 Nissan Kicks vs. Kia Seltos, the decision comes down to how much vehicle you actually need.

The Kicks costs less to start, gets better highway fuel economy, has a smaller exterior footprint, and provides 8.4 inches of ground clearance across its lineup. It also includes Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert from the base trim. That makes it a strong option for someone who spends most of the week commuting, navigating city streets, parking in crowded lots, and keeping an eye on overall ownership costs.

Go with the Seltos if you regularly carry rear-seat passengers, need more maximum cargo space, or want the extra performance of an available turbocharged engine. The redesigned 2027 model is noticeably roomier than its predecessor and brings a long list of newly available comfort, technology, and driver-assistance features.

Neither SUV wins every category. The Kicks leans toward affordability, efficiency, clearance, and city-friendly dimensions. The Seltos leans toward passenger space, maximum cargo capacity, and available performance.

Test Drive the 2027 Nissan Kicks at AutoCenters Nissan

Experience the Kicks in St. Louis Traffic

Reading specifications only tells part of the story. Getting behind the wheel of the 2027 Nissan Kicks lets you experience how the Xtronic CVT responds in real traffic, how manageable its compact dimensions feel in a parking lot, and how its driver-assistance technology fits into your normal routine.

The 2027 Kicks is already appearing in the AutoCenters Nissan inventory, giving St. Louis-area shoppers the opportunity to compare the newest model year in person. AutoCenters Nissan also maintains a large selection of new and used vehicles at its Herculaneum location.

Ready to Compare in Person?

If the Kicks’ pricing, fuel economy, ground clearance, and standard driver-assistance features line up with what you are looking for, contact AutoCenters Nissan to schedule a test drive and see how the 2027 Kicks fits your daily routine.

You can also apply for financing online before your visit or browse current Kicks inventory to compare trims, drivetrain options, and available features.