Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Hyundai Kona is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,090 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Kona w/Stop-Start, 31 MPG combined), against $2,280 for the Kia Seltos (Seltos, 29 MPG combined). That is $190 a year, or $950 over five years.
Both come from the same maker or parent group. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Gas
- Small SUVs
Hyundai Kona
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Kona w/Stop-Start
$13.93 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
6 configurations in MY2026
- Gas
- Small SUVs
Kia Seltos
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Seltos
$15.20 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
2 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Hyundai Kona$2,090 a year · $13.93 per 100 mi
- Kia Seltos$2,280 a year · $15.20 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$190
Hyundai Kona costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$950
$190 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Hyundai Kona | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Kona w/Stop-Start | Seltos |
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Combined rating | 31 MPG (better) | 29 MPG |
| City rating | 29 MPG (better) | 27 MPG |
| Highway rating | 34 MPG (better) | 31 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,090/yr (better) | $2,280/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $13.93 (better) | $15.20 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $2,090–$2,490 | $2,280–$2,570 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 6 | 2 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Hyundai Kona | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 31 MPG · $2,090/yr Kona w/Stop-Start | 29 MPG · $2,280/yr Seltos |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Hyundai Kona
- Lower annual fuel cost: $2,090 vs $2,280
- Higher combined rating: 31 MPG vs 29 MPG
- Higher city rating: 29 MPG vs 27 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 34 MPG vs 31 MPG
Kia Seltos
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Year by year
| Model year | Hyundai Kona | Kia Seltos | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 26–31 MPG | $2,090–$2,490 | 25–29 MPG | $2,280–$2,570 |
| 2025 | 26–31 MPG | $780–$2,490 | 25–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,570 |
| 2024 | 26–31 MPG | $780–$2,480 | 26–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,520 |
| 2023 | 23–32 MPG | $750–$3,550 | 27–31 MPG | $2,070–$2,420 |
| 2022 | 23–32 MPG | $770–$3,550 | 27–31 MPG | $2,070–$2,420 |
| 2021 | 27–30 MPG | $2,190–$2,380 | 27–31 MPG | $2,090–$2,420 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Hyundai Kona or the Kia Seltos?
The Hyundai Kona is cheaper: about $2,090 a year against $2,280 for the Kia Seltos, a difference of $190 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Hyundai Kona save over five years?
About $950 ($190 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Hyundai Kona or the Kia Seltos?
The Hyundai Kona is rated 31 MPG combined against 29 MPG for the Kia Seltos. City: 29 MPG vs 27 MPG. Highway: 34 MPG vs 31 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Hyundai Kona and the Kia Seltos in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Hyundai Kona: ratings, trims and every model year
- Kia Seltos: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Hyundai Kona: all configurations
- 2026 Kia Seltos: all configurations
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