Compare the2025 Honda HR-VVS 2025 Kia Seltos

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Honda HR-V have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Seltos doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Honda HR-V has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, the Honda HR-V is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Kia Seltos, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	HR-V	Seltos
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-20 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-3 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-36 MPH	-5 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.8 sec	.3 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda HR-V achieved an “Acceptable” rating for its forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Kia Seltos which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

The HR-V EX-L has standard Parking Sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Seltos doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the HR-V and the Seltos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	HR-V	Seltos
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	134 lbs.	242 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	52 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	279/312 lbs.	371/423 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	278	308
Neck Stress	153 lbs.	239 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	135 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	215/108 lbs.	387/46 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the HR-V is safer than the Seltos:

	HR-V	Seltos
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	112/157 pounds	495/270 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Forces L/R	112/157 pounds	495/270 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	HR-V	Seltos
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	118 lbs.	167 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	173	177
Spine Acceleration	61 G’s	63 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches
Hip Force	564 lbs.	620 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Honda HR-V is much safer than the Seltos:

	HR-V	Seltos
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	139	234
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.42 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	937 lbs.	1383 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	186	258
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	112 lbs.
Neck Compression	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.42 in	2.17 in
Shoulder Force	312 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.46 in	2.01 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	14 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	625 lbs.	759 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the HR-V is .8% to 2.9% less likely to roll over than the Seltos.

The Honda HR-V has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Seltos is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The HR-V’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Seltos runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 34 percent more Honda dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the HR-V’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the HR-V’s reliability 28 points higher than the Seltos.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

Engine

The HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 12 more horsepower (158 vs. 146) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (138 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the HR-V AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Seltos 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder (25 city/30 hwy vs. 24 city/27 hwy).

The HR-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Seltos doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the HR-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Seltos:

	HR-V	Seltos	Seltos AWD
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	10.3 inches	11.2 inches

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The HR-V has standard Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda HR-V has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Seltos 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The HR-V has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the HR-V flat and controlled during cornering. The Seltos 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the HR-V is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Seltos.

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Seltos S pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The HR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Seltos S (28.1 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

The HR-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Seltos doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The HR-V has .5 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Seltos.

Cargo Capacity

The HR-V’s cargo area is larger than the Seltos’ in almost every dimension:

	HR-V	Seltos
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	34.8”/68.3”	32.7”/62.4”
Max Width	55.4”	52.3”
Min Width	39.8”	41.6”
Height	32.1”	32.5”

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 41% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

The HR-V’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Seltos has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The HR-V’s standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the switch, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Seltos’ standard power window’s switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The HR-V Sport/EX-L’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and its driver’s window also automatically closes. With the Seltos S/EX/SX/X-Line’s power windows, only the driver’s window opens or closes automatically.

On a hot day the HR-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Seltos can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The HR-V has standard Push Button Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX offers a Smart Key.

The HR-V’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Seltos’ standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The HR-V EX-L’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Seltos doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Compared to traditional radio, the Honda HR-V’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Seltos and is not availble on the Seltos LX.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda HR-V and the Kia Seltos, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2024 issue and they ranked the Honda HR-V EX-L AWD five places higher than the Kia Seltos SX.

The Honda HR-V outsold the Kia Seltos by over two to one during 2024.

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