Mazda CX-30 vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs Kia Seltos
Real out-the-door prices, every trim, every spec, and an honest verdict on each.
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The verdict
Photo finish
The 2026 Mazda CX-30 edges ahead by just 0.4 points — inside our margin for calling it, so there's no clear winner on the numbers. Let your priorities pick: the cheapest, the most efficient, or the one owners rave about below.
2026 Mazda CX-30
61.5
2026 Kia Seltos
61.1
2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
52.1
How the winner is called: price up to 20 pts, fuel economy up to 15, owner evidence up to 15, editor verdict up to 12, driving impressions up to 10, power up to 8, seats up to 5, safety awards up to 5. A category only counts when every compared car has that data, the category leader always earns its full weight, and a winner is only declared when the lead is 8+ points. Computed live from stored specs and sourced owner quotes — no opinions.
The Scoreboard
No feelings, just receipts — each point below is computed straight from the spec sheet.
2026 Kia Seltos
$25,965 incl. destination — $555 less than the runner-up
2026 Kia Seltos
28/34 city/hwy
2026 Mazda CX-30
191 hp
The bottom line
Early points to the 2026 Kia Seltos and the 2026 Kia Seltos and the 2026 Mazda CX-30. Start with the 2026 Kia Seltos at $25,965 if the monthly payment decides, then read the spec sheet below — every point above comes straight from it.
Mazda · Compact SUV
2026 Mazda CX-30
“Premium interior materials and assembly quality”
See the full reviewTrim-Level Comparison
Pick a specific trim for each model to compare exact equipment and features side-by-side.
Trim Price (incl. dest.)
- CX-30$30,420
- Eclipse Cross$29,940
- Seltos$26,565
Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo)
- CX-30$602/mo
- Eclipse Cross$593/mo
- Seltos$526/mo
vs. Base Trim
- CX-30+$2,500
- Eclipse Cross+$1,600
- Seltos+$600
| CX-30 2.5 S Preferred | Eclipse Cross LE | Seltos S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim Price (incl. dest.) | $30,420 | $29,940 | $26,565 |
| Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo) | $602/mo | $593/mo | $526/mo |
| vs. Base Trim | +$2,500 | +$1,600 | +$600 |
10 of 10 features shown
CX-30Eclipse CrossSeltos
Blind Spot Monitoring
Included Not included Not included
18-inch alloy wheels
Included Not included Not included
Power Sliding-Glass Moonroof
Included Not included Not included
Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC)
Not included Included Not included
LED Headlights
Not included Included Not included
8.0-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio
Not included Included Not included
18-inch Alloy Wheels
Not included Included Not included
All-Wheel Drive
Not included Not included Included
Blind-Spot Collision Warning
Not included Not included Included
Roof Rails
Not included Not included Included
| Blind Spot Monitoring | Included | Not included | Not included |
| 18-inch alloy wheels | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Power Sliding-Glass Moonroof | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) | Not included | Included | Not included |
| LED Headlights | Not included | Included | Not included |
| 8.0-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio | Not included | Included | Not included |
| 18-inch Alloy Wheels | Not included | Included | Not included |
| All-Wheel Drive | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Roof Rails | Not included | Not included | Included |
Feature lists reflect cumulative standard equipment for each trim, a trim includes everything from lower trims plus its own additions. The monthly figure is the trim price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup with $0 down, an estimate for financing through the brand's own financial company. That markup is profit on a cost-plus sale, not the Loan Excess, because the financier owns the car it sells. The 7% is an assumption for illustration, not a rate anyone is quoted.
Mitsubishi · Compact SUV
2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
“Unique 'coupe-SUV' styling stands out in a crowded segment”
See the full reviewFull Spec Sheet
Every detail side by side: pricing, power, efficiency, seating, where each car is built, safety recognition, and the honest verdict on each.
Pricing & Financing
Base MSRP
- CX-30$25,100
- Eclipse Cross$26,545
- Seltos$24,590
Est. dealer invoice
- CX-30$23,092
- Eclipse Cross$24,421
- Seltos$22,623
Destination fee
- CX-30$1,420
- Eclipse Cross$1,795
- Seltos$1,375
Total base price (incl. dest.)
- CX-30$26,520
- Eclipse Cross$28,340
- Seltos$25,965
Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo)
- CX-30$525/mo
- Eclipse Cross$561/mo
- Seltos$514/mo
Trims offered
- CX-302 (from $26,500)
- Eclipse Cross4 (from $26,545)
- Seltos3 (from $24,590)
Powertrain & Efficiency
Powertrain options
- CX-302.5L 4-Cylinder, 2.5L Turbo 4-Cylinder
- Eclipse Cross1.5L MIVEC Turbo
- Seltos2.0L 4-Cylinder, 1.6L Turbocharged
Horsepower
- CX-30191 hp
- Eclipse Cross152 hp
- Seltos146 hp
Fuel economy
- CX-3026/33 city/hwy
- Eclipse Cross25/28 city/hwy
- Seltos28/34 city/hwy
Seating
- CX-305 seats
- Eclipse Cross5 seats
- Seltos5 seats
Build & Safety
Body type
- CX-30Compact SUV
- Eclipse CrossCompact SUV
- SeltosCompact SUV
Assembly location
- CX-30Hiroshima, Japan
- Eclipse CrossKurashiki, Okayama, Japan
- SeltosGwangju, South Korea
Safety awards & ratings
- CX-30IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026)
- Eclipse CrossNHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating (rating year unverified)
- SeltosIIHS Top Safety Pick (2025)
Honest Verdict
Recommended trim
- CX-302.5 S Preferred
- Eclipse CrossSE
- SeltosEX
Trim to skip
- CX-302.5 S Select Sport
- Eclipse CrossES
- SeltosLX
Key rivals
- CX-30Subaru Crosstrek, Volkswagen Taos, Hyundai Kona
- Eclipse CrossKia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek
- SeltosHonda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek
| |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Financing | |||
| Base MSRP | $25,100 | $26,545 | $24,590 |
| Est. dealer invoice | $23,092 | $24,421 | $22,623 |
| Destination fee | $1,420 | $1,795 | $1,375 |
| Total base price (incl. dest.) | $26,520 | $28,340 | $25,965 |
| Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo) | $525/mo | $561/mo | $514/mo |
| Trims offered | 2 (from $26,500) | 4 (from $26,545) | 3 (from $24,590) |
| Powertrain & Efficiency | |||
| Powertrain options | 2.5L 4-Cylinder, 2.5L Turbo 4-Cylinder | 1.5L MIVEC Turbo | 2.0L 4-Cylinder, 1.6L Turbocharged |
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 152 hp | 146 hp |
| Fuel economy | 26/33 city/hwy | 25/28 city/hwy | 28/34 city/hwy |
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Build & Safety | |||
| Body type | Compact SUV | Compact SUV | Compact SUV |
| Assembly location | Hiroshima, Japan | Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan | Gwangju, South Korea |
| Safety awards & ratings | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026) | NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating (rating year unverified) | IIHS Top Safety Pick (2025) |
| Honest Verdict | |||
| Recommended trim | 2.5 S Preferred | SE | EX |
| Trim to skip | 2.5 S Select Sport | ES | LX |
| Key rivals | Subaru Crosstrek, Volkswagen Taos, Hyundai Kona | Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek | Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek |
Dealer invoice is an estimate from MSRP minus typical brand holdback and advertising fees when the exact figure isn't published. Monthly is the total base price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup, $0 down — an illustration for financing through the brand's own financial company, not a quoted rate.
Kia · Compact SUV
2026 Kia Seltos
“Striking exterior design that looks more premium than its price point”
See the full reviewPros & Cons at a Glance
Honest verdicts side by side to help you decide.
Mazda CX-30
Compact SUV
Pros
- Premium interior materials and assembly quality
- Engaging driving dynamics and steering feel
- Sophisticated exterior styling
Cons
- Smaller cargo and rear passenger space than rivals
- Infotainment system has a steep learning curve for some
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Compact SUV
Pros
- Unique 'coupe-SUV' styling stands out in a crowded segment
- Physical controls for climate and audio are easy to use
- Strong Japanese build quality from the Kurashiki plant
Cons
- Fuel economy lags behind top-tier rivals
- Interior technology feels a generation behind the Kia Seltos
Kia Seltos
Compact SUV
Pros
- Striking exterior design that looks more premium than its price point
- Highly efficient 28/34 MPG rating keeps ownership costs low
- Exceptional use of interior space for both passengers and cargo
Cons
- Entry-level 146 hp engine is purely utilitarian
- Ride quality can feel slightly firm over broken city pavement
How They Drive
Real driving impressions: what each car does well and where it falls short.
Mazda CX-30
Performance
- Linear power delivery from the 191 hp engine
- Responsive six-speed automatic avoids CVT drone
- Base engine can feel winded at high-altitude passes
Handling
- Weighted steering provides excellent road feedback
- Minimal body roll during cornering for a crossover
- Rear torsion beam suspension can feel stiff over sharp bumps
Comfort
- Class-leading cabin quietness at highway speeds
- Front seats offer excellent ergonomic support
- Rear legroom is tight for tall adult passengers
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Performance
- S-AWC system provides exceptional grip in poor weather
- 1.5L Turbo offers decent low-end torque for city driving
- 152 horsepower feels underpowered for steep highway grades
- CVT can be noisy when pushed to high RPMs
Handling
- Tight turning radius makes it excellent for urban parking
- Light, effortless steering feel
- Noticeable body roll when taking corners at speed
- Soft suspension isn't tuned for spirited driving
Comfort
- Supple ride quality over broken pavement
- Front seats remain comfortable on long journeys
- Sloping roofline cuts into rear-seat headroom
- Rear visibility is hampered by the unique window design
Kia Seltos
Performance
- 1.6L Turbo engine provides confident highway merging and passing power
- Steady and predictable power delivery from the base 2.0L engine
- Base 146 hp engine can feel strained under full passenger loads
Handling
- Light steering makes urban maneuvers and parking effortless
- Small footprint allows for excellent agility in heavy traffic
- Noticeable body roll when taking corners at higher speeds
Comfort
- Generous rear-seat legroom that rivals larger SUVs
- Upright seating position provides excellent outward visibility
- Engine noise can become intrusive inside the cabin during hard acceleration
Straight Answers
The questions everyone asks about these three — answered from the numbers, not the brochure.
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