Kia SUV Models: Complete Guide from Smallest to Largest (2025)

If you’re comparing the 2025 Kia SUV lineup, the five models — Soul, Seltos, Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride — span from a budget city runabout to a full-size three-row hauler. Your best pick depends on how many passengers you carry regularly, whether you need all-wheel drive (AWD), how much you tow, and your fuel-economy priorities. Below is a direct size-and-price comparison, followed by decision branches that help you confirm the right model before you visit a dealership.

Quick answer: Pick your Kia SUV by size and use case

The table below gives the core decision points for each 2025 model, ordered from smallest to largest. Prices are manufacturer estimates; check your local dealer for actual pricing and incentives.

Model	Size Class	Seats	Starting MSRP (approx.)	Key Powertrain Options	Max Towing	EPA Combined MPG	Best For
Soul	Subcompact	5	$20,000–$22,000	2.0L I4 (147 hp), FWD only	2,000 lb	31 (auto)	Budget buyers, city driving, one- or two-person households
Seltos	Subcompact	5	$24,000–$26,000	2.0L I4 (147 hp) or 1.6T (195 hp), available AWD	2,000 lb	31 (base) / 27 (turbo)	Small families needing AWD under $30k
Sportage	Compact	5	$28,000–$31,000	2.5L I4 (187 hp) or hybrid (227 hp), AWD optional	2,500 lb (non-hybrid)	28 (non-hybrid) / 43 city/44 hwy (hybrid)	Daily commuter, efficiency seekers, hybrid option
Sorento	Mid-size (3rd row optional)	6–7	$34,000–$38,000	2.5L I4 (191 hp), 2.5T (281 hp), hybrid (227 hp), AWD optional	3,500 lb (turbo only)	26 (non-hybrid) / 34 (hybrid)	Occasional third row, towing up to 3,500 lb
Telluride	Full-size 3-row	7–8	$37,000–$42,000	3.8L V6 (291 hp), AWD standard on SX and X-Pro	5,000–5,500 lb	20–24	Maximum passenger/cargo capacity, road trips, heavy towing

If you need a third row every day, start with the Telluride. If you need it only once a month and your passengers are under 5’5”, consider the Sorento. For two adults or a small family that wants AWD and great gas mileage, the Sportage hybrid is the efficiency sweet spot. If your budget is tight and you don’t need AWD, the Soul is a legit value.

Comparison framework: What really differs beyond size

Physical dimensions and cargo volume

• Kia Soul: 165.2 in. long, 101.2 in. wheelbase. Cargo behind rear seats: 24.2 ft³; max with seats folded: 62.0 ft³. The boxy shape yields surprising headroom (39.5 in.) and makes loading bulky items easier than in most subcompacts, but the short wheelbase translates to a firmer highway ride.
• Kia Seltos: 172.0 in. long, 103.5 in. wheelbase. Cargo behind rear seats: 26.6 ft³; max: 62.8 ft³. Rear legroom is 38.4 in. — fine for kids and shorter teens, but adults over 5’10” will find their knees touching the front seat.
• Kia Sportage: 183.5 in. long, 108.5 in. wheelbase. Cargo behind rear seats: 39.6 ft³; max: 74.1 ft³. Second-row legroom (41.3 in.) is best in its class, beating the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 by about 1.5 inches.
• Kia Sorento: 189.4 in. long, 110.8 in. wheelbase. With third row folded: 38.0 ft³ behind second row; max: 75.5 ft³. With third row up, cargo drops to 12.6 ft³ — about the size of a large cooler or two carry-on suitcases.
• Kia Telluride: 196.9 in. long, 114.2 in. wheelbase. Behind second row: 46.0 ft³; behind third row: 21.0 ft³; max: 87.0 ft³. The third row offers 35.4 in. of legroom, comfortable for adults up to 6’0” for trips of several hours.

Powertrain and towing ranges

Every model has multiple trim levels, so always verify the engine in your target trim:

• Soul: Only one engine — 2.0L I4 (147 hp, 132 lb-ft), FWD only. EPA combined: 31 mpg (automatic), 29 mpg (manual if still available). Max towing: 2,000 lb (requires optional tow prep package).
• Seltos: Base 2.0L (147 hp, 132 lb-ft) or 1.6L turbo (195 hp, 195 lb-ft). AWD adds ~$1,800. Max towing: 2,000 lb regardless of engine. EPA: 31 mpg combined (2.0L AWD), 27 mpg (1.6T AWD).
• Sportage: 2.5L I4 (187 hp, 178 lb-ft) or hybrid (227 hp combined, 258 lb-ft). AWD optional on both. Max towing: 2,500 lb (non-hybrid only; hybrid is 2,000 lb). EPA non-hybrid: 25 city/28 hwy (FWD), 23/27 (AWD). Hybrid: 43 city/44 hwy (FWD), 38/38 (AWD).
• Sorento: Three power choices — 2.5L I4 (191 hp, 181 lb-ft), 2.5L turbo (281 hp, 311 lb-ft), or hybrid (227 hp, 258 lb-ft). AWD optional. Max towing: 3,500 lb (turbo only); 2,000 lb (others). EPA hybrid: 34 mpg combined; non-hybrid turbo: 23 mpg combined.
• Telluride: 3.8L V6 (291 hp, 262 lb-ft). AWD standard on SX, SX Prestige, and X-Pro; optional on others. Max towing: 5,000 lb (5,500 lb with X-Pro package and proper hitch). EPA: 20 city/24 hwy (FWD), 18/24 (AWD).

Interior technology and common features

All 2025 Kia SUVs come with an 8-inch touchscreen on base trims and a 12.3-inch display on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride; the Soul and Seltos use wired connectivity on base trims, switching to wireless on higher trims. Heated front seats are standard on LX trims for Sportage and above; Seltos and Soul provide them only on mid-level trims. The Telluride is the only model offering ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel on more than one trim (starting at SX trim).

Best-fit picks by use case (with decision branches)

For solo commuters or two-person households on a tight budget → Kia Soul

The Soul is the cheapest new Kia SUV at roughly $20,000. It delivers 31 mpg combined, has a low step-in height (about 16 inches), and its upright cabin feels as roomy as many compacts. Decision branch: If you live in snow country or drive unplowed gravel roads, stop here — the Soul has no AWD. Adding winter tires helps but does not guarantee traction on steep icy driveways. In that case, move up to the Seltos with AWD (starts ~$26,000). If you rarely leave pavement and carry only one passenger, the Soul is a solid pick. Verification: Before buying, try loading a 30-inch suitcase or a medium dog crate in the rear. The boxy shape usually fits it, but the load floor is 28 inches high — some users find this too tall for smaller pets.

For small families who need AWD on a budget → Kia Seltos

The Seltos adds AWD as a ~$1,800 option and also offers the punchy 1.6L turbo engine. Cargo behind the rear seat (26.6 ft³) holds a double stroller plus a week of groceries. Decision branch: If your rear passengers are two adults over 5’10”, test-drive with them in the back. The Seltos rear legroom (38.4 in.) can cause knee contact. If they complain, step up to the Sportage (41.3 in. rear legroom).

Common mistake: Many buyers pick the base 2.0L engine thinking it will handle mountain passes with four passengers. The 147-hp engine struggles on steep grades; choose the 1.6 turbo if you regularly climb hills or carry heavy loads. Verification: On a test drive, accelerate from 0–60 mph with three adults onboard. The 1.6T should do it in about 7.5 seconds; the 2.0L will take closer to 9 seconds.

For daily drivers who want efficiency and modern tech → Kia Sportage (especially hybrid)

The Sportage hybrid is the most fuel-efficient Kia SUV, with EPA ratings of 43 city/44 highway (FWD). At 12,000 miles per year and $3.50/gal, it saves roughly $800 annually compared to the Telluride V6. Rear legroom (41.3 in.) is best-in-class for compact SUVs. Decision branch: If you want wireless CarPlay and the 12.3-inch screen, you need at least the EX trim (~$31,000). The base LX has an 8-inch screen and wired connectivity.

Verification: Check hybrid availability at your dealer — supply has been limited in some regions. If you cannot get a hybrid within your timeline, the non-hybrid 2.5L still gets 28 mpg combined and tows 500 lb more. Stop threshold: If your monthly commute is under 500 miles, the non-hybrid’s ~$3,000 lower price may make more financial sense. Calculate your break-even point at current local gas prices.

For families that occasionally need a third row → Kia Sorento

The Sorento’s third row is strictly for children or adults under 5’5”. With the third row up, cargo space shrinks to 12.6 ft³ — about the size of a large cooler. Decision branch: If you need that third row more than twice a month, the Telluride is a better daily experience: its third row accommodates adults up to 6’0” and still leaves 21 ft³ of trunk space. Common mistake: Owners sometimes buy the Sorento 2.5L non-turbo (191 hp) expecting it to tow 3,500 lb; only the turbo (281 hp) reaches that rating. Verify your trim’s towing capacity in the owner’s manual. Verification: Have a 6’ tall friend sit in the third row for 30 minutes. If they cannot tolerate it, go up to the Telluride.

For full-size hauling and road trips → Kia Telluride

The Telluride is the only Kia SUV where adults can sit comfortably in all three rows for hours. It also holds its value well — Kelley Blue Book awarded it Best Resale Value multiple years. Decision branch: If you plan to tow a small boat or camper, opt for the X-Pro trim (~$44,000), which includes a self-leveling rear suspension and bumps max towing to 5,500 lb with the proper hitch. Failure mode: Do not assume the base LX (FWD) can handle a 5,000-lb trailer; the FWD model is limited to 5,000 lb but is less stable in wet or hilly conditions.

Always buy AWD for towing over 3,000 lb. Verification: On a test drive, load all eight seats with adults and drive up a 6% grade. The V6 should hold speed without the transmission hunting for gears. If it hunts, the Telluride may be overloaded for your use.

Trade-offs to know

• No AWD on Soul: If you need all-weather traction, skip the Soul entirely. Even with winter tires, front-wheel drive can lose grip on steep, icy driveways.
• Seltos vs. Sportage price overlap: A fully loaded Seltos SX Turbo (~$31,000) costs about the same as a base Sportage LX. The Sportage gives you a bigger cabin, better ride quality, and an available hybrid — take the Sportage unless you really prefer the Seltos’ turbo response.
• Sorento third-row access: The second-row seats tilt forward manually; expect 10–15 seconds to get into the third row. Fine for weekly use, but if you do it three times a day, the Telluride’s one-touch power slide is worth the extra cost.
• Telluride fuel economy penalty: The V6 returns 20–24 mpg combined. If your commute is 30+ miles one way, the Sportage hybrid saves roughly $700–$900 per year (depending on local gas prices). Calculate your fuel costs before deciding.
• Hybrid only on Sportage and Sorento: No hybrid or plug-in options for Soul, Seltos, or Telluride. For maximum efficiency, you’re limited to those two models.
• Avoid the base Sorento 2.5L if you tow: Many buyers assume all Sorentos tow 3,500

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