2026 Kia Seltos LX: Manahawkin Buyers Guide

What you get for $23,790

Kia doesn't strip the safety tech to hit an entry price on the LX — that's the trim's real selling point. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, and Driver Attention Warning are all standard, the same driver-assist backbone that carries up through the SX. What the LX skips is the bigger touchscreen and some of the comfort items reserved for S and up: you get an 8-inch display rather than the 10.25-inch unit, cloth seats rather than heated leatherette, and no navigation baked in (your phone handles that fine over wireless CarPlay or Android Auto). Seventeen-inch alloy wheels and LED signature lighting round out the exterior. For a first car, a commuter, or a second household vehicle, it's a lot of substance for the money.

FWD or AWD — the choice is yours here

The LX is one of three Seltos trims (with S and EX) offered in both front- and all-wheel drive, and for 2026 Kia specifically called out FWD as newly broadened across the lineup starting with this trim. The $1,200 gap between FWD ($23,790) and AWD ($24,990) buys real traction insurance for winters on Route 72 and sandy shoulder pull-offs near the bay side — worth thinking through based on where you actually park and drive, not just the sticker.

What buyers say about the LX

Manahawkin Kia's Google reviews run 4.81 stars across more than 2,800 ratings, and Seltos buyers across trim levels keep landing on the same theme: an easy, no-pressure process. "I love my Seltos and my salesman John Constantine, he made it an easy process," one owner wrote. Another, buying her first car on her own, said the team "truly helpful and provided great advice" through the whole thing. That's the LX buyer's experience in a sentence — straightforward, not oversold, out the door with a new Kia.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Seltos LX worth buying over the S?

If the bigger touchscreen and standard remote start aren't dealbreakers, the LX is the better value on paper — you keep the same engine, the same full ADAS suite, and save roughly $1,700 over the S at the same drivetrain. Buyers who spend most of their driving time on familiar local roads tend to be happiest with the LX; buyers who lean on navigation or want push-button remote start should look at the S.

Does the Seltos LX come with all-wheel drive?

Yes — for 2026 the LX is offered in both FWD ($23,790 MSRP) and AWD ($24,990 MSRP), a change from prior years when FWD wasn't offered on this trim.

What warranty comes with a new Seltos LX?

Every new Seltos, LX included, carries Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, plus 5 years of roadside assistance.