If you’re shopping for a new Kia SUV, you’ve probably come across the Seltos, Sportage, and Sorento.

At first glance, they may seem similar, but they’re designed for different types of drivers. All three offer SUV versatility, available AWD, modern technology, and a long list of available driver-assistance features.

The Seltos is the smaller, more maneuverable option. The Sportage steps up in interior and cargo space while remaining a two-row SUV. The Sorento goes a step further with three rows of seating, more available power, and greater towing capability.

So, which Kia SUV is right for you?

Let’s compare the Seltos, Sportage, and Sorento to help you find the model that best fits your lifestyle.

Quick Comparison: Kia Seltos vs. Sportage vs. Sorento

*Starting MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title, license, options, and dealer charges. Actual pricing and availability may vary.

The biggest difference is size; the Seltos is compact, the Sportage is larger and more spacious, and the Sorento adds a third row and significantly more available towing capability.

Now let’s take a closer look at each.

Kia Seltos: Compact Size, Big Personality

The 2027 Kia Seltos is the smallest of these three SUVs, making it a great option for drivers who want SUV versatility without stepping into a larger vehicle.

The 2027 Seltos starts at $24,990 MSRP and offers five trim levels. The base LX features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, LED headlights, and 13 collision-avoidance and safety-assist technologies.

For drivers who want more performance, the available 1.6-liter turbocharged engine produces 190 horsepower. The Seltos X-Line can also be equipped with all-wheel drive and a multi-terrain mode with Snow, Mud, and Sand settings.

Seltos Highlights

• Starting MSRP of $24,990
• Seating for five
• Available all-wheel drive
• Available 190-hp turbocharged engine
• Available multi-terrain drive modes
• 12.3-inch touchscreen
• Available panoramic sunroof
• Available heated and ventilated front seats
• Available Smart Power Liftgate
• Available Blind-Spot View Monitor and 360-degree Surround View Monitor
• 28/33/30 MPG city/highway/combined for the base LX configuration, according to Kia’s current EPA estimates

The Seltos also has a surprisingly versatile cabin for its size. Kia describes the 2027 model as offering class-leading maximum cargo room, while its 60/40 split-folding rear seat adds flexibility for larger items.

Who Should Consider the Seltos?

The Seltos makes sense for shoppers looking for a smaller SUV that’s easy to maneuver at an accessible starting price, that offers AWD, good everyday fuel economy, modern tech, and cargo flexibility.

If most of your driving involves commuting, errands, school, work, and weekend trips, the Seltos gives you SUV practicality without moving into the larger dimensions of the Sportage or Sorento.

Kia Sportage: The Two-Row Middle Ground

The 2027 Kia Sportage sits between the Seltos and Sorento in the Kia SUV lineup.

Starting at $28,990 MSRP, the Sportage is also a five-passenger SUV, but its larger dimensions provide significantly more interior and cargo space than the Seltos.

The 2027 Sportage offers 41.3 inches of rear legroom and up to 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Kia also highlights the Sportage for its class-leading rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity.

Sportage Performance

The standard 2027 Sportage uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive is standard on the LX, while all-wheel drive is available. AWD models include terrain modes for Snow, Mud, and Sand, and it can tow up to 2,500 pounds when properly equipped.

For shoppers interested in electrification, the 2027 Sportage is also offered as a hybrid, with Kia listing a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid powertrain producing 232 horsepower.

Sportage Highlights

• Starting MSRP of $28,990
• Seating for five
• Available AWD with Terrain Mode
• 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder
• Up to 2,500 lbs. towing capacity
• 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats
• Up to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded
• 41.3 inches of rear legroom
• Available panoramic sunroof
• Available heated and ventilated front seats
• Available 24-inch combined panoramic display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Available hybrid powertrain

Sportage Safety and Driver Assistance

The 2027 Sportage offers a broad selection of driver-assistance technologies. Depending on trim and configuration, features include Auto Emergency Braking Technology with Junction Turning Detection, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keeping and Lane Following technologies, parking sensors, Blind-Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Safe Exit Warning.

The Sportage also offers technology designed to make everyday driving easier, including available Blind-Spot View Monitor and other parking assistance features.

Who Should Consider the Sportage?

The Sportage can be a strong fit for shoppers who want more passenger and cargo room while keeping five-passenger seating, an available hybrid powertrain, and towing and off-roading capability.

For many shoppers, the Sportage is the natural step up from the Seltos without moving to a three-row SUV.

Kia Sorento: More Seating, More Power and More Towing

If you need more room for passengers, the Kia Sorento is a great option.

The Sorento is a three-row SUV with seating for up to seven passengers. Available second-row captain’s chairs reduce seating to six but create a more separated second-row layout.

Sorento Performance

The standard Sorento engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque.

Higher trims offer a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. Available all-wheel drive adds Terrain Mode, while the X-Pro configuration can tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped.

That makes the Sorento particularly relevant for shoppers who regularly haul recreational equipment, trailers, boats, or other larger loads.

Sorento Highlights

• Starting MSRP of $32,390
• Up to seven-passenger seating
• Available second-row captain’s chairs
• Available AWD
• Available turbocharged 281-hp engine
• Up to 4,500 lbs. towing capacity on the X-Pro configuration
• Up to 75.5 cubic feet of cargo space
• Available 24-inch combined panoramic display
• Available panoramic sunroof
• Available heated first- and second-row seats
• Available Smart Power Liftgate
• Available Bose premium audio
• Available X-Pro all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance 

Sorento Safety and Driver Assistance

The Sorento offers technologies including Auto Emergency Braking with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection, Blind-Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and other available driver-assistance technologies.

The 2026 Sorento was also recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ for vehicles built after September 2025. Kia also reports a five-star NHTSA Overall Vehicle Score for the 2026 Sorento.

Who Should Consider the Sorento?

The Sorento is great for shoppers looking for maximum passenger and cargo space. It’s a great option for those regularly towing boats, trailers, and other large equipment as well.

Seltos vs. Sportage vs. Sorento: What’s the Difference?

The easiest way to compare the three is to think about what you need your SUV to do.

Choose the Seltos if size and value are priorities

The Seltos is the most compact option and has the lowest starting MSRP of the three.

Its available 190-hp turbocharged engine and AWD give shoppers the opportunity to add performance and all-weather capability without moving into a larger SUV.

Choose the Sportage if you want more room without a third row

The Sportage offers five-passenger seating like the Seltos, but provides a lot more rear-seat and cargo space.

Its 41.3 inches of rear legroom and up to 74.1 cubic feet of cargo volume make it particularly great for families, commuters who carry gear, and shoppers who want room to grow without needing three rows.

Choose the Sorento if you need three rows

The Sorento is the only model of the three with a third row.

It’s also the model to consider if towing capacity is a major consideration. The available turbocharged engine produces 281 horsepower, and the X-Pro can tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Which Kia SUV Has the Most Cargo Space?

All three Kia SUVs offer useful cargo flexibility, but their layouts are different.

The Seltos is designed around compact-SUV practicality, with Kia highlighting its class-leading maximum cargo room.

The Sportage offers up to 74.1 cubic feet behind the first row, while the Sorento offers up to 75.5 cubic feet with its rear seats folded.

If you regularly need to carry six or seven people, the Sorento’s third row matters more than a small difference in maximum cargo capacity.

If you normally carry five people or fewer and need a large, open cargo area, the Sportage may provide the combination of passenger space and cargo flexibility you’re looking for.

Compare the Kia Seltos, Sportage and Sorento in Person

Still deciding between the Seltos, Sportage, and Sorento?

Visit Diehl Kia of Massillon to see the latest Kia SUV inventory and compare your options in person. Our team can help you review available trims, features, AWD configurations, financing or lease options, and current inventory.

Whether you’re looking for the compact versatility of the Seltos, the extra room of the Sportage, or the three-row capability of the Sorento, there’s a Kia SUV worth putting on your test-drive list.

Ready to get started?

Shop New Kia SUVs | Get Your Trade-In Value | Contact Our Kia Team | View Monthly Specials