25 MPG combined, as rated by the EPA, makes the 2025 Kia Seltos AWD with the 1.6L turbocharged engine a good choice for buyers prioritizing all-weather capability and a confident driving experience over absolute fuel frugality. It’s a pragmatic figure for a compact SUV that, despite its relatively small displacement, still offers a solid 195 horsepower and an all-wheel-drive system designed to handle more than just a dusty fire road. This Seltos variant isn’t for the buyer hyper-focused on the highest MPG in the segment, but rather for the one who appreciates competence and assurance delivered in a stylish, well-packaged form factor, and accepts a minor trade-off in fuel economy for those attributes.

City and highway performance

In specifics, the 2025 Seltos AWD 1.6L scores 24 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. This is a fairly tight spread, characteristic of modern turbocharged engines paired with well-tuned automatic transmissions. The city figure of 24 MPG is respectable for a vehicle of its size and power output, particularly one equipped with all-wheel drive, which inherently adds drag and weight. The 8-speed automatic transmission plays a key role here, ensuring the engine operates efficiently in stop-and-go traffic by keeping revs low and selecting appropriate gears without hesitation. Buyers who navigate urban and suburban environments regularly will find its city performance perfectly adequate, offering a good balance between responsiveness and efficiency.

On the open road, 27 MPG highway shows the Seltos’s capability as a competent long-distance cruiser. While some front-wheel-drive competitors might eke out a few more highway miles per gallon, the Seltos’s AWD system is always on standby, providing an extra layer of security that many buyers genuinely value. This highway rating reflects the Seltos’s well-calibrated powertrain, which allows for relaxed cruising at highway speeds without constantly hunting for gears. The target demographic, young families, empty-nesters, or those navigating diverse climates, will appreciate this predictable highway performance, feeling confident in its ability to handle varied conditions without excessive fuel stops.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $1,750 for the 2025 Kia Seltos AWD with the 1.6L engine. This figure is derived by assuming 15,000 miles of driving per year, split between city and highway conditions (55% city, 45% highway), and using national average fuel prices, which are updated periodically by the EPA. This means for a Seltos owner a manageable yearly expense for fueling their vehicle, aligning with expectations for a compact SUV. This isn’t a budget-basement figure, but it’s far from extravagant, reflecting the vehicle’s middle-of-the-road combined MPG. Owners of this Seltos trim are typically looking for a well-rounded package and understand that the added capability of AWD comes with a modest increase in operational cost compared to a purely FWD, less powerful variant.

Real-world expectations

In the real world, owners of the 2025 Seltos AWD 1.6L can generally expect to hover right around the 25 MPG combined rating, perhaps seeing slightly higher numbers on extended highway trips with careful driving, or slightly lower in heavy city traffic with frequent acceleration. The turbocharged engine, while offering impressive pep, can be thirstier if driven aggressively, as the turbo spools up more frequently. The 8-speed automatic helps mitigate this, but driver habits remain the biggest variable. Enthusiastic drivers in challenging climates, frequently using the all-wheel drive system for traction on snow or unpaved roads, will see their numbers dip. Conversely, those with a light foot and predominantly highway commutes will likely exceed the 27 MPG highway rating. The character of this Seltos trim encourages a confident, occasionally spirited driving style, and its fuel economy reflects that mission, it’s not a penalty box, nor is it a hypermiler’s dream. It simply delivers what it promises for its segment, power and practicality without excessive guilt at the pump.

How it compares

When placed alongside its peers, the 2025 Kia Seltos AWD 1.6L charts a sensible course. Consider the Honda HR-V AWD, which offers a naturally aspirated 2.0L engine paired with a CVT, achieving 27 MPG combined (26 city/30 highway). The HR-V is slightly more fuel-efficient but trades a significant amount of power, delivering only 158 horsepower, making it feel notably less energetic than the Seltos. The Toyota Corolla Cross AWD, with its 2.0L engine and CVT, gets 30 MPG combined (29 city/32 highway), again besting the Seltos in efficiency, but with only 169 horsepower. These comparisons highlight that the Seltos 1.6L prioritizes accessible power and a more assertive driving feel, justifying its slightly lower MPG. On the other hand, the Subaru Crosstrek with its more potent 2.5L engine and CVT, generally rated at 29 MPG combined (27 city/33 highway), offers both more power (182 hp) and better efficiency, due to Subaru’s AWD and powertrain tuning. However, the Seltos 1.6L still offers more horsepower than the popular base Crosstrek 2.0L (152 hp, 29 MPG combined). For all Kia fuel economy data, you can find data on our site, or specifically research the SELTOS MPG across all years.

The buyer choosing this particular Seltos variant isn’t cross-shopping it with a hybrid, or even necessarily the most efficient sub-compact SUV. They’re looking for a vehicle that feels strong, offers decent passing power, looks good, and provides the security of all-wheel drive. They typically come from a similar compact sedan or older, less efficient SUV and find the Seltos’s balance of performance and economy to be an upgrade. They acknowledge that the more powerful turbo engine and AWD system will consume a bit more fuel than a base FWD variant, but they consider it a worthwhile trade-off for the confidence and capability it provides, especially when comparing it to direct competitors that often feel underpowered at similar price points.

Tips to maximize efficiency

To get the most out of your 2025 Kia Seltos AWD 1.6L, maintaining appropriate tire pressure is important. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and consuming more fuel. Check your tire pressure regularly, especially as seasons change, and adjust to the manufacturer’s recommended settings found on the driver’s door jamb.

Practice smooth acceleration and braking. The Seltos’s turbocharged 1.6L engine is responsive, but aggressive starts and sudden stops waste fuel. Gradual acceleration allows the engine and 8-speed automatic transmission to operate in their most efficient ranges, and anticipating traffic means less hard braking.

Use the Seltos’s drive modes. While the Sport mode is engaging, it will inevitably impact fuel economy due to holding gears longer and sharpening throttle response. For daily driving and highway cruising, sticking to Normal or Smart modes will optimize the powertrain for efficiency.

Avoid carrying unnecessary weight. The Seltos is designed for utility, but a trunk full of heavy gear that isn’t needed for your current trip will reduce your MPG. Every extra pound your engine has to move requires more fuel, particularly in city driving.

Combine your errands into a single trip. A cold engine uses more fuel than a warm one. By consolidating your stops, you allow the Seltos’s engine to reach its optimal operating temperature and maintain it, which is more efficient than a series of short, cold-start journeys.