Compare the2026 Ford Bronco SportVS 2026 Kia Seltos

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Bronco Sport have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Seltos doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Ford Bronco Sport has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Bronco Sport achieved an “Acceptable” rating for its forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Kia Seltos which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

The Bronco Sport has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Seltos doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Bronco Sport (except Big Bend/Heritage) offers optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Bronco Sport. But it costs extra on the Seltos.

The Bronco Sport (except Big Bend/Heritage) offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Seltos only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Bronco Sport has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Seltos S/EX/SX offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Bronco Sport has standard Cross Traffic Alert and rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Seltos S/EX/SX offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning.

Both the Bronco Sport and the Seltos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Bronco Sport is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Bronco Sport	Seltos
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	242 lbs.
Neck Compression	29 lbs.	52 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	123/237 lbs.	371/423 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	153	308
Neck Injury Risk	37%	38.4%
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	239 lbs.
Neck Compression	54 lbs.	135 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Bronco Sport is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Bronco Sport	Seltos
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	205 lbs.	346 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	144	177
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	63 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	512 lbs.	620 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Ford Bronco Sport is safer than the Seltos:

	Bronco Sport	Seltos
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	184	234
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.98 in	1.42 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	8 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	142	258
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.77 in	2.17 in
Shoulder Force	312 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	2.01 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	14 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The Bronco Sport’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Seltos runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bronco Sport’s warranty.

Reliability

The Bronco Sport has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Seltos doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Bronco Sport’s reliability 11 points higher than the Seltos.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Bronco Sport third among small suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Seltos isn’t in the top three.

Engine

The Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (180 vs. 147) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (200 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Bronco Sport’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (200 vs. 195) than the Seltos SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder. The Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 60 more horsepower (250 vs. 190) and 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 195) than the Seltos SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl. is faster than the Kia Seltos 4 cyl.:

	Bronco Sport	Seltos
Zero to 30 MPH	3.3 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.9 sec	9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.3 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.9 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	84 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Bronco Sport Badlands 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Seltos SX 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Bronco Sport	Seltos
Zero to 30 MPH	2.1 sec	3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.5 sec	7.6 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	12.5 sec	12.8 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.5 sec	3.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.3 sec	15.9 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Bronco Sport with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the Seltos 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder (25 city/30 hwy vs. 24 city/27 hwy).

Regardless of its engine, the Bronco Sport’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Kia only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Seltos 2.0.

The Bronco Sport has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Seltos (16 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Bronco Sport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Seltos doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Bronco Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Seltos:

	Bronco Sport	Seltos	Seltos AWD
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	11 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.3 inches	11.2 inches

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Bronco Sport has standard Electronic Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Bronco Sport stops shorter than the Seltos:

	Bronco Sport	Seltos
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	128 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Bronco Sport has larger standard tires than the Seltos (225/65R17 vs. 215/55R17).

The Bronco Sport offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Seltos; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Bronco Sport has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Seltos 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Bronco Sport has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Bronco Sport flat and controlled during cornering. The Seltos 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Bronco Sport’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the Seltos (105 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Bronco Sport is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Seltos.

The Bronco Sport’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Seltos’ (59% to 41%). This gives the Bronco Sport more stable handling and braking.

The Bronco Sport Badlands executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Seltos S (28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Seltos (7.8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Bronco Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Bronco Sport’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the Seltos (8.8 vs. 7.3 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Bronco Sport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Seltos doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Bronco Sport Badlands offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Seltos doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Bronco Sport has 6.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Seltos (105.6 vs. 99).

The Bronco Sport has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear headroom, 4.6 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Seltos.

Cargo Capacity

The Bronco Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Seltos with its rear seat up (32.5 vs. 26.6 cubic feet). The Bronco Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Seltos with its rear seat folded (65.2 vs. 62.8 cubic feet).

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Bronco Sport. The Seltos doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Bronco Sport’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Seltos’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Towing

The Bronco Sport has a 2200 lbs. towing capacity. The Seltos has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Bronco Sport uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Seltos doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Bronco Sport uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Seltos uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Seltos doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Bronco Sport’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Seltos has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands’ front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Seltos S/EX/SX’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Bronco Sport the driver can close all of them from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Seltos can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Bronco Sport’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Seltos doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Bronco Sport has standard Intelligent Access that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Seltos S/EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Bronco Sport’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Seltos’ passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Bronco Sport’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Seltos’ manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Bronco Sport’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Seltos’ standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Bronco Sport’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Seltos’ headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Bronco Sport offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Seltos doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Bronco Sport’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Seltos S/EX/SX.

On extremely cold winter days, the Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands’ standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Seltos doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands’ standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Seltos doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Compared to traditional radio, the Ford Bronco Sport’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Seltos S/EX/SX.

The Bronco Sport offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Seltos doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Bronco Sport and the Kia Seltos, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Bronco Sport outsold the Kia Seltos by over two to one during 2025.

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