2022 Kia Seltos Test Drive Review: What Do They Say About Dynamite And Small Packages?
Kia has no shortage of SUVs in its lineup, but considering the popularity of the body style, more is always better. The 2022 Kia Seltos is now in its second year and has proved to be one of the most capable and desirable crossovers in the subcompact segment. This is no surprise, considering it slots between two other widely popular cars, the Soul and the Sportage. Unlike the Soul, the Seltos offers standard all-wheel-drive on all but one trim, as well as two four-cylinder engines, one being turbocharged for extra oomph - 175 horsepower of it in total.
Anyone turned off by the Soul's boxy styling should be pleased by the more stylish and more conventional shape of the Seltos. As a larger subcompact model, the Seltos goes up against competition like the Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, and Mazda CX-30. With standard AWD, a turbocharged option, strong interior technology, bold styling, and impressive interior space, the Seltos has shown that it has what it takes to lead the pack, but is it staying ahead now that the competition has had a chance to play catch up?
2022 Seltos Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172.0 in | 103.5 in | 63.6 in | 70.9 in | 62.0 in | 62.4 in | 3,087.0 lbs |
2022 Seltos Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Kia's transmission tuning could use some work, but the overall driving experience of the Seltos is otherwise tremendous. The steering is surprisingly accurate and tightens up to feel more aggressive in Sport mode. Kia also includes a clever Smart mode, which can cycle between the Sport and Normal settings depending on how you use the throttle. This little crossover can hustle easily around bends, with the AWD system keeping it relatively stable. It's not meant to be sporty, but the experience feels far from dreary.
At higher speeds, wind noise feels minimally intrusive, especially when you consider the size of the Seltos and how much it costs. Ride comfort is acceptable, with most road surfaces controlled nicely by the car's suspension. Large undulations can jostle it a bit, but no more so than any other competing vehicle. It feels like the Seltos is one transmission tune away from being the nicest-driving vehicle in the subcompact crossover class.
2022 Seltos Interior
2022 Seltos Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 10 Years / 100,000 Miles | 5 Years / 100,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2022 Kia Seltos A Good SUV?
We came away from driving the Kia Seltos struggling to nitpick any faults with it. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is easily our biggest gripe due to clunky shifts at lower speeds. Kia could hopefully solve the issue with a new tune, or by using the new eight-speed automatic from the K5. Buyers who opt for the base engine won't care, though, and some drivers may not even notice the annoying transmission behavior on the turbo model. Most will be content with the lower base price of the Seltos in comparison to its rivals, and others will be impressed by the Turbo's gutsy acceleration.
Inside, Kia continues to punch above its class with outstanding design and well-executed materials. The Seltos feels expensive without passing the $30,000 mark in fully-loaded trim, which is a tough trick to pull off. Add in frugal fuel economy, a spacious back seat, huge amounts of storage capacity, and a handsome body, and the Seltos ticks all of the right boxes in the subcompact segment. It should be at the top of your shopping list.
2022 Kia Seltos Comparisons
2022 Kia Seltos vs Hyundai Kona
Similarly priced, the Hyundai Kona and the Kia Seltos go head to head for the attention of buyers in the crossover segment. The Kona has a striking interior design that's hard to miss, but how long can it keep the limelight? The Kona puts out similar power figures to the Seltos when we look at base engines, and they produce almost identical power outputs from their turbocharged 1.6-liter engines, too. Both of the turbocharged engines are mated to dual-clutch transmissions that struggle at lower speeds. Given their similarities in performance, it'll ultimately come down to space and interior quality. We prefer the cabin of the Seltos, it has some extra refinement that is lacking in the Hyundai, and it offers an arguably more luxurious feel. We do like the bright contrast stitching and trim inserts on the Kona, though. Being significantly larger, you'd expect the Kona to offer heaps more interior space, but the two are similar in this regard as well, for the most part. The Kia Seltos is clearly the more practical SUV, offering more rear space and a much bigger trunk, and all things considered, it's the better buy.
2022 Kia Seltos vs Kia Sportage
Perhaps the Seltos' biggest competitor comes from within its own family. The Sportage offers a more powerful 2.4-liter engine that manages 181 hp for around $2,000 extra. It's also larger than the Seltos, so it offers more interior space by default along with a bigger 30.7-cubic-foot trunk. We definitely prefer the cabin of the Seltos, it has a more modern and premium feel to it. The smaller Kia is also more economical because of its smaller engine and lighter weight. The trouble comes in with the Sportage's turbocharged engine that launches it from 0-60 in just seven seconds, making it a real challenge for the 1.6-liter turbo in the higher trims of the Seltos lineup. Essentially, if you value a great cabin, the Seltos is the better buy, and it offers nearly the same amount of space as the Sportage inside. If you want some extra power and the space to boot, go with the Sportage. But bear in mind, an all-new Sportage is arriving for 2023, which will be bigger and better in almost every way.