- China’s latest Kia Seltos can be bought for less than half the price of the US-spec model.
- Powertrain options include naturally aspirated 1.5-liter and turbocharged 1.4-liter engines.
- Kia is working on a heavily updated Seltos, which is expected to debut sometime in 2026.
It’s no secret that car prices in China tend to undercut those in other markets, but the difference can be especially stark when comparing the exact same model. A striking example is the Kia Seltos. While it’s positioned as an affordable crossover in the US, the Chinese-market version under the same name is priced so low it feels like a different category entirely.
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Kia’s subcompact SUV made its debut in China back in late 2019, initially wearing the KX3 badge. After a 2023 refresh, it was renamed the Seltos, aligning with the brand’s global naming strategy. A more substantial update is expected next year, but for now, the current version continues into the 2026 model year in China with only light tweaks.
A Massive Price Gap for a Nearly Identical Vehicle
At first glance, the Chinese and US versions of the Seltos are visually indistinguishable. But once you look at the pricing, the two might as well live on different planets. In the US, the 2025 Seltos starts at $24,690 for the base LX trim and goes up to $31,190 for the top-of-the-line SX. In China, however, the Seltos starts at just ￥109,900 and tops out at ￥159,900, which equates to around $15,300 to $22,300 at current exchange rates.
If this doesn’t sound good enough, Kia offers special “summer leisure price” deal, reducing the price of the mid-spec Luxury Edition trim from ￥129,900 ($18,100) to as little as ￥77,900 ($10,900). That’s less than half the price of the US version for a car that looks almost identical.
Even more, certain buyers such as recent college graduates can access additional discounts ranging from ￥2,000 to ￥5,000 ($280 to $700), pushing the final cost even lower.
What Do You Get for $10,900?
Despite the low price tag, the Chinese Seltos doesn’t skimp on features. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, and premium leather seats. That’s more than you’ll find in many used SUVs back in the US. In fact, a quick search shows that used Seltos models rarely dip below $16,000, making the new Chinese-market version a surprising value.
In terms of footprint, the Chinese version measures 4,385 mm (172.6 inches) long and has a wheelbase of 2,630 mm (103.5 inches), matching the US model. In fact, the most notable difference between the two is what lies under the hood.
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Buyers in China can choose between two engine options: a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter producing 113 hp (115 PS), or a turbocharged 1.4-liter with 140 hp. Both come paired with an IVT automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
In contrast, the US-spec Seltos comes with a larger displacement 2.0-liter engine producing 146 hp (109 kW / 148 PS), or a turbocharged 1.6-liter unit with 190 hp (142 kW / 193 PS). More importantly, all-wheel-drive is available as an option for the base engine and comes standard in the higher-output models.
Tempting as it may sound to import a bargain-priced Chinese Seltos, it’s not a practical option. Taxes, import duties, and regulatory hurdles would quickly drive up the cost, negating any savings. Even if Kia tried to offer the Chinese-built version elsewhere, pricing would climb significantly before the car ever reached a dealer lot.
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