Car shoppers who want an attractive small SUV without breaking the bank should consider the 2025 Kia Seltos and 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. Each has an eye-catching design separating it from today’s herd of subcompact SUVs.
For 2025, the Seltos becomes even more compelling with some new trim-specific upgrades and options. Granted, these are not earth-shattering changes, but with the Seltos already a bargain among subcompact SUVs, every upgrade bolsters its value story.
With the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, you get an SUV that straddles the line between smaller subcompacts, like the Seltos, and larger compact models, such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The racy shape is distinctive; we think Mitsubishi did a great job in the style department. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, and it matches the Kia when it comes to class-leading warranty coverage.
Let’s explore the highlights of the Seltos and Eclipse Cross.
2025 Kia Seltos
2024 model shown
The Seltos is available in five trims (LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX), with pricing starting at $25,965, including the factory-to-dealer destination charge. Standard touches include an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, multiple USB ports, and a handy dual-level cargo floor. The base powertrain is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that sends 146 horsepower to the front wheels. A 195-hp mill is standard on top trims. No matter the engine, a CVT distributes the torque. All-wheel drive is available.
Kia Seltos Highlights
Optional turbocharged engine: Sure, the base 146-hp 4-cylinder is good on gas and delivers adequate performance for daily driving demands. However, the 195-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder that comes with the X-Line and SX models provides this little SUV with some serious thrust.
Interior room: Opting for a subcompact SUV doesn’t mean you’re going to feel the pinch, literally, when it comes to headroom and legroom. Or should that be a “literal bump” when talking about headroom? Whatever the case, the Seltos has adult-friendly accommodations and a generous 26.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the backseat, which is more than what you get in the Eclipse Cross.
Dual-screen display: This attractive combo of a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen would look at home in a luxury-badged SUV costing much more than the Seltos. It’s standard on all but the base LX trim.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Seltos models for sale near you.
2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
2024 model shown
The Eclipse Cross comes in a total of six variations starting at $28,110, including the destination fee, and All are motivated by a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that sends 152 hp to all four wheels via a CVT. Most drivers will appreciate the extra features that come in the SE trim (the most popular of the Eclipse Cross range). Costing around $31,000, it adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone climate control, and navigation.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Highlights
Sports-car-like styling Those old enough to remember will know the Eclipse nameplate was once affixed to a small Mitsubishi sports coupe. The Eclipse Cross isn’t a speed demon, though its shape is unique and bucks the notion that a practical SUV must to look dull.
Super All-Wheel Control: We’re not trying to sound overly enthusiastic; this is the official name of Mitsubishi’s all-wheel-drive system. Having competed for years in rally racing, the automaker knows a thing or two about extra grip. All-wheel drive is standard on every Eclipse Cross, and that’s, well, kind of super.
SEL Touring: This variant of the range-topping SEL grade starts at about $34,000 and comes packed with features. Among its many goodies are a head-up display (HUD), heated rear seats, an upgraded audio system, and more. It’s a lot of stuff for your SUV-buying bucks.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Eclipse Cross models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Seltos and Eclipse Cross represent great value for car shoppers who think a new SUV is out of reach. Although the front-wheel-drive Seltos delivers better-estimated mileage than the all-wheel-drive Eclipse Cross, neither is a fuel guzzler, which is helpful for managing overall ownership costs. Both also have excellent warranties that include 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage.
Conclusion
Starting with the Eclipse Cross, we like its styling, we love its warranty, and we suggest at least going for a test drive to see if it pushes your SUV-buying buttons. The 152-hp turbo 4-cylinder doesn’t provide the giddy-up the sporty design suggests, unfortunately, and interior room is only so-so for a vehicle this size.
In the end, the Seltos surges ahead thanks to its choice of two engines, airy interior, and that fantastic new infotainment system that looks pilfered from a significantly more expensive car. On the other hand, it’s nice that all-wheel drive is standard on the Mitsubishi; however, you can always add it to the Kia. Our nod goes to the Seltos as a polished small SUV that continues to get rave reviews, from us included.
| 2025 Kia Seltos | 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | |
| Starting Price | $25,965 | $28,110 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 146 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 152 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 28 city/34 highway/31 combined | 25 city/26 highway/25 combined |
| Also Available | AWD; Turbo 1.6-liter 4-cyl, 8-speed automatic | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Stars | 5-Stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 103.5 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 172.6 inches | 179.0 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 71.1 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 66.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 35.0 |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.4 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 35.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.5 inches | 56.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 54.7 inches | 55.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume seats up/down | 26.6/62.8 cubic feet | 23.4/50.1 cubic feet |