2026 Kia Seltos S: Manahawkin Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 Seltos S
The Seltos S starts at $25,490 MSRP front-wheel drive or $26,990 all-wheel drive, before the $1,495 destination charge. It carries over the LX's 147-hp 2.0-liter/CVT combination and adds the bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and Kia Connect, standard Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and available push-button/key-fob remote start. It's the trim most buyers cross-shop first at Manahawkin Kia — enough extra tech to feel like a real step up from the LX, without jumping all the way to EX pricing.
The screen upgrade that matters
The single biggest reason shoppers move up from LX to S is the touchscreen: an 8-inch display becomes a 10.25-inch unit with built-in navigation and Kia Connect (voice recognition included), so you're not leaning on your phone's data plan for turn-by-turn directions on unfamiliar back roads toward the shore. Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist become standard here too — genuinely useful merging onto Route 72 during summer beach traffic — and remote start becomes available for the first time in the lineup, handy for defrosting a windshield on a February morning without standing outside in it.
A near-zero-cost styling option
The S is the one trim where Kia offers a Glossy Black Door Garnish Package at no additional charge — a small trim-level styling touch, but a nice one if you want a slightly darker, more finished look without paying for it. It's worth asking about at the store since availability can shift with what's on the lot.
What buyers say about the S
The store's Seltos reviews consistently mention a straightforward process at this price point. One owner, cross-shopping seriously before committing, wrote about her salesperson: "he was truly helpful and provided great advice," and another described the whole visit as a case where "everyone sooo helpful and transfer of car to me was such an easy process." Manahawkin Kia holds a 4.81-star average across more than 2,800 Google reviews, and the S trim's buyers show up in that number as often as any other.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Kia Seltos S and SX?
More than a step — the S keeps the standard 2.0-liter/CVT powertrain and adds tech and safety features over the LX, while the SX swaps in a 190-hp turbo 1.6-liter with an 8-speed automatic, standard AWD, 18-inch wheels, Bose audio, and Highway Driving Assist. The price gap runs from roughly $25,490 (S FWD) to $31,490 (SX), a difference of about $6,000 before options.
Does the Seltos S have navigation built in?
Yes — the S is the first trim in the lineup with the 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system and Kia Connect, standard, along with voice recognition.
Is remote start standard on the Seltos S?
It's available on the S rather than standard, using either the key fob or a push button; it becomes more broadly featured on higher trims. Ask Manahawkin Kia's sales team which in-stock S models have it configured.
MSRP excludes the $1,495 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Equipment and availability can change with configuration and production timing — confirm current specs with Manahawkin Kia. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Manahawkin Kia.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.