2025 Mazda CX-30 vs. 2025 Kia Seltos Comparison
Remixed Courtesy of ELise240SX under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
There are many reasons why compact crossover SUVs remain a firm favorite with American car buyers. The compact SUV segment offers affordable vehicles with easy maneuverability in traffic, easier parking in tight city environs, better fuel economy, and some degree of off-road versatility for holiday travel.
Our article compares Mazda's own 2025 CX-30 against another popular choice, the 2025 Kia Seltos.
Read on as we share the difference between the 2025 Mazda CX-30 vs. Kia Seltos.
2025 Mazda CX-30
The latest 2025 compact crossover SUV is in the Mazda SUV family lineup between the CX-3 and the larger CX-5.
The CX-30 continues for this model year with no changes besides connectivity technology upgrades and a new Aero Gray exterior paint color. The lineup totals eight trim-level choices.
2025 Kia Seltos
Introduced in mid-2019, Kia’s Seltos compact SUV is the smallest in the company's global SUV lineup, below the larger Sportage.
The Seltos received a refresh in 2024, with its exterior and interior getting some attention and with some additional horsepower.
The 2025 model year includes reverse parking distance warning to the EX and SX trims and a smart power liftgate and cargo cover added to the mid-range EX AWD trim. The base S model received enhanced 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels.
Five trim levels are available for 2025: LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX.
Exterior Comparisons
Now let's compare the exteriors of the Mazda CX-30 vs. Kia Seltos. The CX-30’s stylish exterior features a bold, matte-black Mazda family signature front grille flanked by slim horizontal LED headlamps that automatically turn on/off and LED daytime running lights.
Black molded wheel arches, black lower body trim, and alloy wheels are fitted throughout the range.
The CX-30's tail end features LED taillights and a black rear roof spoiler, which gives it a sporty appearance.
Further key exterior appointments include:
- Variable-intermittent windshield wipers
- Body-colored folding power side mirrors
The CX-30 is compact, measuring 173 inches long, 70.7 inches wide, and 61.7 inches high. Its wheelbase is 104.4 inches, and the minimum unladen ground clearance is 8 inches.
The Kia Seltos's traditional squared-off exterior looks handsome and has plentiful accents and design features. The stylish front grille is surrounded by bright chrome, depending on the trim level. Black molded wheel arch trim and side sill trim are standard, and all trims except the entry trim have roof rails and LED tail lamps.
Up front LED headlamps do duty on upper trim levels and trim-dependent daytime running lights.
The Kia is 172.6 inches long, 70.9 inches wide, and 64.0 inches high. Its wheelbase is 103.5 inches, and its ground clearance is 7.3 inches.
Alloy wheels are standard fare on all trims, and buyers can choose from an extensive palette of 10 exterior paint colors.
Interior Differences
How do the 2025 CX-30 vs. 2025 Seltos compare when it comes to their interiors? The CX-30’s interior is luxurious, and the CX-30 cabin features finishes and materials from the class above.
Seating is available for five passengers with standard interior luxury and comfort features such as:
- Power windows with a one-touch up/down feature
- Power door locks - speed-sensitive auto door locks
- Remote keyless entry system
- Push Button Start
- Steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise control switches
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 interior has EPA passenger space for five passengers that measures 94.1 cubic feet and a cargo volume of 20.2 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, which expands to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
The Kia’s spacious cabin offers modern amenities like air conditioning on base LX, which has been upgraded to climate control with an auto defog system on the balance of the trims. Rear air vents, a four-way manual passenger's seat, and 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seats are standard.
Cargo space measures 26.6 cubic feet, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet by folding down the rear seats.
Mazda CX-30 vs. Kia Seltos Powertrain
Let's compare the powertrains of the 2025 Mazda CX-30 vs. Kia Seltos. The 2025 Mazda CX-30 lineup offers a base SKYACTIV-G 2.5 liter DOHC 4-cylinder with VVT making 191 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and torque of 186 pound-feet @ 4000 rpm or a more powerful SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter dynamic pressure turbo engine, with up to 250 horsepower @ 5000 rpm and 320 pound-feet of torque.
Standard is a SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed electronically controlled sport automatic transmission and Mazda's i-ACTIV AWD with Off-road Traction Assist drivetrain.
The Kia Seltos is fitted with either a 2.0-liter, producing 146 horsepower, or a turbocharged 1.6-liter making 195 horsepower. The base engine is coupled with a continuously variable automatic transmission, while the turbo uses an eight-speed automatic.
All-wheel drive is standard on all trims except the S and EX.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
What are the safety features of the Mazda CX-30 vs. Kia Seltos? Mazda’s CX-30 has an outstanding safety rating for 2024, an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award, and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Mazda's i-Activsense suite of safety features is standard, including radar cruise control with stop-and-go, smart brake support, lane departure warning with lane keep assist and a driver attention alert system.
Kia offers safety equipment, including four-wheel ABS, Vehicle Stability Management, a High-Line Tire-Pressure Monitoring System, and a full suite of airbags.
Driver assistance aids like Kia Drive Wise are designed to give drivers peace of mind. They help drivers safely manage various situations, from highway driving to navigating a parking lot.
Infotainment
The CX-30 is fitted with a Mazda Connect Infotainment system. It is standard with an 8.8-inch large center digital screen display operated by Mazda's multi-function commander control with a rotary knob and voice command.
Alexa built-in is standard for easy, hands-free connection to maps, climate control, music, and more.
Connectivity is covered by SMS text message audio delivery and reply, Mazda Connected Services with a 3-year trial, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming capability, dual Type-C USB audio inputs, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Mazda Harmonic Acoustics plus a six or eight-speaker audio system is fitted depending on the trim.
The Seltos has a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with navigation on all trims except the base LX trim, which has an eight-inch touchscreen display.
A six-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard on all trims aside from the top SX trim that receives a Bose® premium audio System, eight Speakers with a connected mood lamp. SiriusXM satellite radio and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot are options.
Get Your Mazda CX-30 at Seacoast Mazda
We hope our guide made it easier to choose between the 2025 Mazda CX-30 vs. 2025 Kia Seltos. Learn more about the 2025 Mazda CX-30 at Seacoast Mazda in Portsmouth, NH.
Seacoast Mazda offers a full range of brand-new Mazda models and an extensive selection of certified pre-owned vehicles.
View Mazda CX-30 Inventory