2025 Kia Seltos vs. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer Comparison

The 2025 Kia Seltos and 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer are subcompact 5-seat SUVs that pack a strong visual punch and a surprising amount of standard features considering their affordable price. Each received a mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year that included updated exterior designs, more color choices, and added tech.

With the Kia Seltos, these improvements also benefited its optional turbocharged engine, which now produces 195 horsepower, and is paired with a much more refined 8-speed automatic transmission. The standard powertrain continues to be a 146-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The similarly head-turning Chevy Trailblazer comes standard with an 11-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Serving as the base engine is a 137-hp turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder that sends power to the front wheels via a CVT. We’d recommend the punchier turbo 1.3-liter 3-cylinder, however. It’s better at highway speeds and can be had with all-wheel drive (AWD). Moreover, it’s also just as good on gas.

How do these two chirpy subcompact SUVs compare? Let’s find out.

2025 Kia Seltos

Starting at $25,965 (including destination fee), the 2025 Kia Seltos is available in five trims: LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX. At $30,665, the newly added Seltos X-Line is the least expensive means of snagging the optional turbocharged 4-cylinder. Note that all-wheel drive is standard on the base Seltos LX, but it’s an upcharge option on the mid-range S ($1,500) and EX ($2,200) trims.

Kia Seltos Highlights

Roomy interior: Given the petite proportions of this Kia, you’d be forgiven for assuming passenger space would be at a premium, particularly in the second row. But Kia has managed to carve out a whole lot of room in the Seltos. Adults won’t feel penalized if relegated to the rear seat. The outward view is another Seltos strong point, helping to make the Seltos safer and more enjoyable.  

X-Line trim: The X-Line is a largely cosmetic upgrade that includes blacked-out exterior trim, a gunmetal grille, an underbody skid plate, beefier roof rails, and 18-inch gloss-black alloy wheels. Does it really make the Seltos more adept at off-road driving? Perhaps a bit, but it sure looks cool.

Panoramic infotainment display: Standard on all but the base Seltos LX are dual 10.25-inch displays mounted flush with each other. One serves as a digital instrument panel, the other as the infotainment touchscreen. This gives the Seltos an upmarket look and feel.

Excellent warranty: Credit Kia for gracing the Seltos with such an outstanding warranty. In addition to a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, the Seltos has an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Seltos models for sale near you.

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The Chevrolet Trailblazer also has a budget-friendly starting price: $24,395, including destination fees. This little Chevy is available in four trims: LS, LT, Activ, and RS. That turbo 1.3-liter we prefer is optional on the LS and LT, and is standard on the Activ and RS. A high-zoot Trailblazer RS rings in at $28,995. Adding all-wheel drive bumps this by $1,600.

Chevrolet Trailblazer Highlights

Low price, high style: While this is true for both these SUVs, the Trailblazer is an attention grabber available in bright and entertaining exterior colors. You can get a Trailblazer in Nitro Yellow, Marina Blue, and four additional colors.  

Activ trim: Chevrolet offers the Activ trim for Trailblazer buyers who want a little more go-anywhere attitude. It rides on 17-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and features a suspension more geared for all-terrain driving. It also includes an underbody skid plate, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The latter two are much appreciated in cold climates.

Technology touches: The new 11-inch touchscreen looks great and is easy to use. We love that it includes wireless smartphone connectivity, meaning you can drive cord-free in this fun little SUV.

Chevrolet Safety Assist: This bundle of standard driver aids includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and lane-departure warning.    

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Trailblazer models for sale near you.

Similarities

The Seltos and Trailblazer are small in size but big in personality. Both are built in South Korea, both are similarly fuel-efficient, and both can be had in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive configurations. Each also offers subcompact SUV shoppers a choice of two engines, while both offer rugged models targeted for dirt road use.

Conclusion

We were already big fans of the Seltos, a three-time KBB Best Buy Award winner. While the added refinement of the turbo engine and 8-speed automatic is appreciated, we suspect the majority of 2025 Seltos shoppers will be perfectly happy with the base powertrain.

With the Trailblazer, you get similar levels of passenger space and cargo room, along with a high degree of style. Even with the optional turbo 1.3-liter (with 155 hp), we’d never call the Trailblazer quick, but we think it warrants serious consideration over the base powertrain.

While this comparison of fun and efficient subcompact SUVs is closer than we expected, the 2025 Kia Seltos takes the crown in this matchup.