2026 Kia Seltos SX: Manahawkin Buyers Guide

2026 Kia Seltos at Manahawkin Kia in Manahawkin, NJ

Quick Answer: The 2026 Seltos SX

The Seltos SX is the top trim at $31,490 MSRP, before the $1,495 destination charge — and it's all-wheel drive only. It's the sole trim with the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, making 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic instead of the CVT the other three trims share, plus standard 18-inch alloy wheels, Bose premium audio with sound-connected mood lighting, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Highway Driving Assist. An $800 SX Sunroof Package adds a Digital Key, power sunroof, and ventilated front seats. It's the Seltos for buyers who want the small-SUV footprint with genuine mid-pack power underneath.

The engine swap that changes everything

Every other Seltos trim shares the same 147-hp 2.0-liter and CVT. The SX doesn't — it's the only trim with the turbocharged 1.6-liter GDI four, 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque delivered through an 8-speed conventional automatic, and all-wheel drive comes standard rather than as an option. EPA rates it at 24 city / 27 highway / 25 combined, a bit thirstier than the base engine, which is the honest tradeoff for the extra 43 horsepower and a transmission that behaves like a normal automatic under hard acceleration instead of a CVT's constant drone. If the phrase "the base engine feels a little flat" ever crosses your mind on a test drive, the SX is Kia's direct answer.

Tech and safety that top the range

SX is the only Seltos trim with standard Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Highway Driving Assist, genuinely useful for the stop-and-go stretch of the Parkway near exit 63 in summer traffic. Parking Distance Warning-Reverse and a smart power liftgate come standard rather than optional, Junction Turning pedestrian/cyclist detection — a more advanced version of the forward collision system every Seltos gets — is standard here only, and Bose's premium audio system pairs with sound-connected mood lighting for a genuinely different-feeling cabin at night. The $800 SX Sunroof Package bundles a Digital Key (share access by phone), a power sunroof, and ventilated front seats, worth strong consideration for anyone who's sat in black leather in a July parking lot.

What buyers say about the SX

One SX owner summed up the experience directly: "Thanks to Manahawkin Kia on my 2024 Kia Seltos SX. I had a great experience. I left feeling like I got a great deal." That's consistent with the store's broader reputation — a 4.81-star average across more than 2,800 Google reviews — but it's worth noting when it comes from someone who cross-shopped the top trim specifically and still walked away feeling like the number worked.

Frequently asked questions

Which Kia Seltos is top of the line?

The SX, at $31,490 MSRP. It's the only trim with the turbocharged engine, standard AWD, 18-inch wheels, Bose audio, and the most advanced driver-assist features in the lineup — there's no higher trim above it.

Is the Seltos SX worth the extra cost over the EX?

If engine performance and driver-assist tech (adaptive cruise, highway assist) matter more to you than saving money, yes — it's the only way to get the turbo powertrain. If you mainly want the comfort features (leather, heated seats, wireless charging), the EX gets you most of that for meaningfully less.

Can I get the Seltos SX with front-wheel drive?

No — the SX is all-wheel-drive only for 2026, paired exclusively with the turbo 1.6-liter and 8-speed automatic. FWD is only available on LX, S, and EX with the base 2.0-liter engine.

MSRP excludes the $1,495 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates; real-world mileage will vary. 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.