Kia Seltos vs RAM 2500
What's the difference?

Kia Seltos

$23,499 - $38,990

2023 price

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RAM 2500

$172,950 - $175,950

2026 price

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Summary

2023 Kia Seltos

2026 RAM 2500

By Laura Berry

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.0L

Diesel Turbo 6, 6.7L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

6.9L/100km (combined)

0.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Roomy for a small SUV
1.6-litre turbo engine
New styling

Endless torque
Massive space
Comfortable, refined cabin

Dislikes

LED headlights only on top grade
No hybrid version
CVT transmission with the 2.0-litre engine

Poor warranty and short service intervals
Cumbersome in Australia
Expensive

2023 Kia Seltos Summary

Looking for a small SUV that’s not tiny? The Kia Seltos could be that SUV, and it’s been updated for 2023.

This review covers the entire Seltos range and reviews this small SUV based on its safety, practicality, price and features, plus ownership costs, its fuel economy and what it’s like to drive.

So, if you’re thinking about a Honda HR-V, a Toyota Corolla Cross or something even as large as a Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage then you need to be thinking about a Kia Seltos, too.

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2026 RAM 2500 Summary

Before the 1980s, when air travel was expensive, the humble Australian family car had to be able to tow a big boat or caravan in order to take the brood on holidays across our vast, sunburnt land.

Many turned to oversized American barges, like the Dodge Phoenix and the Pontiac Parisienne. People loved their massive dimensions, huge interiors, endless torque and look-at-me status.

And guess what? They still do. And even the same carmakers remain today, thanks to Chrysler’s Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty (HD) – which grew out of Dodge – and General Motors’ Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD.

Now, the Ram HDs, which were also the first of the modern American remanufactured trucks in Australia back in 2015, have come in for an overhaul.

How do the latest 2500/3500 stack up? Keep reading.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Kia Seltos 2026 RAM 2500

Verdict

Kia’s updated Seltos is more expensive than the previous version but it's better as well.

The entry grade no longer has hubcaps and gets alloy wheels, all grades have directional air vents in the second row, the jerky dual-clutch auto is gone and an excellent regular eight-speed auto has arrived, plus there’s more safety tech and modern displays screens.

What hasn’t changed is the Seltos’s size. It’s a big, small SUV, that’s easy to park in tight spaces but roomy inside even for tall, awkward humans like me.

The sweet spot in the range is the Sport+ with the 1.6-litre engine, if only it had the LED headlights that only come on the GT-Line.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Verdict

If you're a grey nomad with a massive caravan searching for something to do the big lap in, or a big boater seeking an effortless weekend getaway machine, then this sort of ute makes sense. The HD series shows just how much more muscle is available, for those who genuinely need it.

But if towing or hauling to the max isn’t your priority, then the far-more dynamic – and class-leading – Ram 1500 series does everything else with much-greater aplomb.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

Kia Seltos vs RAM 2500 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Kia Seltos vs RAM 2500
What's the difference?