Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Hyundai Kona costs about $2,127 less

That's $30 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Kona Essential FWD✓ $947/moTrue cost

Seltos LX FWD$976/moTrue cost

2026 Hyundai Kona

Closest matching trim: Kona Essential FWD

Sticker (MSRP)$26,749

+$7,032→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$33,781

+ running costs→↓− $13,107 resale

True cost$947/moA month to own, after resale

2027 Kia Seltos

Closest matching trim: Seltos LX FWD

Sticker (MSRP)$28,495

+$7,071→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$35,566

+ running costs→↓− $13,963 resale

True cost$976/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $26,749	$28,495	Kona by $1,746
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,146	✓ $2,980	Seltos by $166
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $3,886	$4,092	Kona by $206
Drive-away price	✓ $33,781	$35,566	Kona by $1,785
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $12,555	$13,057	Kona by $502
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $13,396	$14,979	Kona by $1,583
Maintenance (estimate)	$8,154	✓ $6,545	Seltos by $1,609
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $6,053	$6,429	Kona by $376
Lost return on your money	✓ $7,253	$7,598	Kona by $345
Resale after 6 yrs	−$13,107	✓ −$13,963	Seltos by $856
Total
True cost	✓ $68,176	$70,303	Kona by $2,127
True cost a month	✓ $947/mo	$976/mo	Kona by $29
You pay each month	✓ $959/mo	$995/mo	Kona by $36
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	6	7	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	723	✓ 786	—
Length	4.35 m	4.43 m	—
Ground clearance	✓ 17 cm	16 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	49%	49%	—
US crash test	✓ 4★	Not rated yet	—
European crash test	✓ 4★ (2023)	—	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $26,749Seltos LX FWD $28,495Cheaper by Kona by $1,746

Freight and fees, before tax

Kona Essential FWD $3,146Seltos LX FWD ✓ $2,980Cheaper by Seltos by $166

Sales tax (HST)

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $3,886Seltos LX FWD $4,092Cheaper by Kona by $206

Drive-away price

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $33,781Seltos LX FWD $35,566Cheaper by Kona by $1,785

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $12,555Seltos LX FWD $13,057Cheaper by Kona by $502

Insurance (estimate)

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $13,396Seltos LX FWD $14,979Cheaper by Kona by $1,583

Maintenance (estimate)

Kona Essential FWD $8,154Seltos LX FWD ✓ $6,545Cheaper by Seltos by $1,609

Loan rate

Kona Essential FWD 6.5%Seltos LX FWD 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $6,053Seltos LX FWD $6,429Cheaper by Kona by $376

Lost return on your money

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $7,253Seltos LX FWD $7,598Cheaper by Kona by $345

Resale after 6 yrs

Kona Essential FWD −$13,107Seltos LX FWD ✓ −$13,963Cheaper by Seltos by $856

Total

True cost

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $68,176Seltos LX FWD $70,303Cheaper by Kona by $2,127

True cost a month

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $947/moSeltos LX FWD $976/moCheaper by Kona by $29

You pay each month

Kona Essential FWD ✓ $959/moSeltos LX FWD $995/moCheaper by Kona by $36

Practical

Fuel type

Kona Essential FWD GasSeltos LX FWD GasCheaper by —

Seats

Kona Essential FWD 5Seltos LX FWD 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Kona Essential FWD 6Seltos LX FWD 7Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Kona Essential FWD 723Seltos LX FWD ✓ 786Cheaper by —

Length

Kona Essential FWD 4.35 mSeltos LX FWD 4.43 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Kona Essential FWD ✓ 17 cmSeltos LX FWD 16 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Kona Essential FWD 49%Seltos LX FWD 49%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Kona Essential FWD ✓ 4★Seltos LX FWD Not rated yetCheaper by —

European crash test

Kona Essential FWD ✓ 4★ (2023)Seltos LX FWD —Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is typical for their type and brand (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $1,746.