2023 Kia Seltos vs 2023 Subaru Crosstrek

The 2023 Kia Seltos and rival 2023 Subaru Crosstrek are an interesting pair. They are small SUVs with plenty of amenities and technologies.

How do they compare on the points that really matter to new SUV owners? Let’s take a look at seven important questions and answers.

1. How Big are the Seltos and Crosstrek SUVs?

   When you are looking for a small SUV, you still want it to be as big as possible. In this case, the Crosstrek looks good with an extra cubic foot of passenger space. If you dig deeper, though, you notice that the Seltos has the true advantage. There’s more headroom on both rows. Plus it has more second-row legroom.

   

   It’s not hard to figure out which backseat is the more welcoming. It is clear that the Seltos is where adults are more likely to be comfortable in the backseat.

2. How do Cargo and Utility Compare?

   When it comes to the cargo area, the Crosstrek hold is about six cubes smaller. This is essential space for families and for any long distance travelers, making the Seltos a clear winner in this category. In fact, the 2024 Crosstrek is actually reported to have an even smaller hold.

   Of course, when you fold the seats, the Seltos SUV continues its advantage. It has about 7 cubes more. This will be important if it's a moving day or if you just have a large TV, piece of furniture or other big item to bring home.

   The 2023 Seltos has a few tricks when it comes to cargo. It has cargo net hooks for securing items. Even better, it has a two-level floor that gives you flexibility in how you arrange items.

3. What About All Wheel Drive and Performance?

   In the past, it was common for a Subaru to be the only one with all-wheel drive. The Kia Seltos challenges that. Shoppers can choose the AWD LX without paying any price penalty, but they still have the option to get the S with front-wheel drive. Dynamax is an electronic all-wheel drive that gives drivers more control in more situations.

   

   2023 Crosstrek SUVs offer a manual transmission while the Seltos just goes straight to the automatic. The Subaru has a few extra horses, but overall horsepower is similar in these two SUVs.

4. What are the Trim Levels?

   The 2023 Crosstrek comes in standard, Premium, Special Edition, Sport and Limited editions. With five trims, the Seltos is offered in the LX, S, EX, Nightfall, and SX Turbo varieties.

   For the 2023 model year, the Seltos remains the better buy. That’s because it has more amenities on lower trim levels. The biggest and most important aspect is the standard driver assistance. Not only does it have standards that are options on the Crosstrek, it also has some systems not offered on the Crosstrek at all.

   

   Two of the most significant technologies are the avoidance assist capabilities for the blind spot monitor and the rear cross traffic alert. When danger is spotted, there are the usual warnings, but the Kia system goes further. It can help the driver avoid the danger.

   When the Seltos combines adaptive cruise control with lane following assist, it is a champion at commuting. You’ve got slow and go capability and the ability to maintain your lane with ease.

5. What are the Amenities by Trim Level?

   When it comes to prized amenities, the Kia Seltos has some important second-row features that are either missing or cost more on the Crosstrek. This includes the comfortable multi-angle reclining seats that keep passengers happy.

   The Seltos S trim adds even more to take care of second-row passengers. This includes a rear center armrest, additional rear cupholders, and rear air vents. Where available on the 2023 Crosstrek, these items are only added with the more expensive Limited trim.

   

   When it comes to upholstery, Kia adds Sofina to the S trim. The seats wear a combination of the rich leatherette and cloth. The three higher trims wear a trim-specific leatherette style all their own.

   The Crosstrek reserves leatherette for the Sport model, but it does make leather available on the Limited. As for a driver’s power chair, that’s standard on the Seltos 3rd tier trim but reserved for the Crosstrek Limited top trim.

6. How Does Technology Compare?

   Both SUVS come with the essentials of modern living. This includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This year both are wireless on the Seltos.

   Crosstrek shoppers can expect a 6.5-inch standard touchscreen with an 8-inch upgrade. Seltos screens are bigger with an 8-inch standard screen and a 10.25-inch upgrade. Kia also provides a special 7-inch driver display to complement the standard gauges behind the steering wheel.

   On the basic trims, the Seltos has two more speakers than the Crosstrek. At the premium level, the Kia Bose system and Subaru Harman Kardon system each have eight speakers.

7. What are the Ownership Costs

   When it comes to long term ownership costs, the Kia definitely can promise more peace of mind. That’s because the limited and powertrain warranties are both so much longer than those at Subaru.

   For instance, the Kia basic warranty goes for up to five years instead of three and for up to 60,000 miles instead of 36,000 miles. The same is true of the Kia roadside coverage, offering up to two more years and up to 24,000 more miles overall. Even more significantly, Kia covers the powertrain for up to ten years/100,000 miles rather than five years/60,000 miles.

Conclusion

The 2023 Kia Seltos is offering a bigger vehicle with better warranty coverage at a more affordable price. Plus it packs on the value with more amenities and technologies. We’d say the Crosstrek is good, but it can’t quite compete with all of that.

Interested in the Kia Seltos? You are invited to schedule a test drive. Visit us anytime at Peoria Kia, your Earnhardt Kia dealer.