Kia Seltos vs Subaru Crosstrek in Cumberland, MD

Performance

The Kia Seltos comes purpose-built for wherever the journey takes you, whether that's off the beaten path or just down the road to work.

• An efficient 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder model comes standard in every trim save the X-Line SX, which incorporates a sprightlier 190-horsepower, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder turbo. Both accelerate well, making it easier to merge and change lanes in traffic.
• With all-wheel drive (AWD) available across the line (coming standard in the X-Line S trim), plus anywhere from 7.5 to 8.1 inches of ground clearance depending on the trim, you can enjoy confident handling across rugged terrain and through foul mid-Atlantic weather.
• The standard eight-speed automatic transmission enables the SUV to tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped with a hitch. That's a prime rating for transporting small, light trailers, campers, and personal watercraft.
• The SUV achieves excellent fuel economy for its class: up to 28 city mpg, 33 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined, according to EPA estimates.

The Subaru Crosstrek may feature a 180-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder base engine, and it may have standard AWD, but it can only tow 1,500 pounds; you must graduate to the top-tier Wilderness trim to be able to shoulder 3,500 pounds. What's more, the crossover only gets 26 mpg city. The Seltos is arguably better equipped for a well-rounded blend of commuting, highway cruising, and off-the-grid excursions.

Interior & Technology

Both the Seltos and the Crosstrek appear similarly matched when it comes to comfort and amenities for long road trips.

• The step-up S  trim features perks such as 12-way power driver's seating with a four-way power lumbar adjuster, plus a wireless phone charger to keep devices powered and ready for use away from civilization.
• Ascend to the midrange EX trim. You get hard-wearing SynTex-trimmed upholstery, plus heated front seats and a 5-inch display that shows climate metrics at a glance.
• At the top of the line, the X-Line SX trim offers luxuries such as ventilated front seating, a heated SynTex steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. Navigation is optional to help you arrive at your destinations. An eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system is available to take your road mixes to the next level on the way.

However, the Kia crossover excels its Subaru competitor in key details:

• The Seltos offers a sizable 64.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, making ample room for everything from groceries and school supplies to camp gear and a vacation's worth of luggage. The Crosstrek only offers up to 54.7 cubic feet of cargo space; you can get up to 54.9 cubic feet in the Wilderness trim, but the difference is negligible.
• The base Seltos LX trim features plush, pleasant cloth-trimmed upholstery, a durable SynTex steering wheel, a six-speaker audio system, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Crosstrek base trim features a smaller 7.0-inch standard touchscreen and an audio setup with only four speakers. You can only upgrade to an 11.6-inch infotainment system.