2022 Kia Seltos vs Toyota Corolla Cross Comparison Test : Subcompact Bang for Your Buck

Kia came out swinging with the Seltos a few short years ago and quickly bareknuckle-boxed its way to the top - no small feat for a brand still battling stereotypes in spite of the strides it’s made.
Meanwhile, it was just last year that Toyota slapped a Corolla badge on a crossover for the first time, taking advantage of a name that’s become synonymous with simplicity, reliability, and affordability. While the Seltos has the wow-factor, the segment’s newest entry takes a vastly different approach.
AutoTrader.ca Road Test Editor Dan Ilika is joined by Editor-in-Chief Jodi Lai in this comparison of two subcompact crossover stars.
Read the full review on AutoTrader.ca:
www.autotrader.ca/editorial/2...
00:00 Intro
01:24 2022 Kia Seltos: Interior Design
02:22 Seltos: Features and Amenities
03:08 Seltos: Powertrain and Specs
03:56 Seltos: Fuel Economy
04:52 Seltos: Infotainment and User-Friendliness
06:01 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross: Powertrain and Specs
07:05 Corolla Cross: Fuel Economy
08:31 Corolla Cross: Interior Design and User-Friendliness
09:55 Safety and Driver assistance
11:14 Corolla Cross: Features and Amenities
12:58 Passenger and Cargo Space
13:36 Drivability
15:06 Pros and Cons
15:35 Conclusion

[@19910602011]

Growing up i was never a Toyota fan but next year my cousin's toyota will be 10yrs old & he never changed a part on that car only maintenence & oil changes yearly, i know because I do it for him, his friend bought a brand new kia cerato same time and a lot of parts change including compressor, tranny, evaporator, shocks etc even the soft touch materials peeling off and a whole lot more

[@manuelsalazar2729]

You just made a brilliant point, and that is something these reviews will never tell you. Most people will fall for the nicer seat fabric and flashier infotainment system, but if you need a car for the long run, it may not be the best option. It all depends on your needs and priorities.

[@19910602011]

@@manuelsalazar2729 there is a shop close by where i live which specialises in fixing door locks, windows switches etc 90% of the vehicles that goes in for repairs are kia and hyundai followed by nissan and no toyota has ever stepped foot into that shop

[@manuelsalazar2729]

@@19910602011 Thank you for sharing that. Hopefully more people will take these issues in consideration.

[@roodlyemmanuel4320]

😂my k5 35000 changed starter and the radio I know the transmission not going to make it to 100 000 mileage

[@19910602011]

@@roodlyemmanuel4320 sell that car now

[@mudpuddle2658]

If Kia used Toyota engines in their vehicles, I'd be all in. The numerous recalls, the advisories about not parking KIAs in garages due to fire risks, the oil consumption issues beginning as early as 15k miles... are not worth the risk....especially when my nearest KIA dealer is 40 miles away. If I did get one, I'd be changing the oil every 3K - 5k miles. The 7500 mile oil changes might be ok in a Toyota, but not KIA / Hyundai engines. Electronic parking brakes are not needed, reference what is happening with Stellantis electronic parking brakes - give me an old style cable parking brake - one less thing to go bad.

[@graantmnz]

we have had 2 x kias ...no issues, no oil consumption, no recalls

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

The seltos lx has a hand brake, fyi.

[@ARIYA2150]

I just took delivery of my 2022 Seltos SX Turbo (exact same color combination in this video ), and I can easily say that this is the best sub-compact SUV on the planet within its class. KIA knocked it out of the park. 👌

[@TT-wz6wp]

I got a 2022 SX turbo in lunar orange and I’m quit happy!!!

[@nokianx400]

Wait till you get to 100k miles... kia's are crap, based on my 9wn experience owning three...

[@ARIYA2150]

@@nokianx400 I'll be driving the 2026 Seltos by then

[@nokianx400]

@@ARIYA2150 well if you like chaniging vehicle often, maybe kia is for you, but I like to keep my vehicles for as long as I can.

[@swanblake]

Seltos really steps it up in its top trim and is the clear winner to me. Love that 1.6T engine as well. Definitely the superior vehicle in every way. Very clear that one company is trying and the other is not. What's crazy is the Corolla Cross is brand new and its already behind. Typical Toyota

[@BuRNingFLaN]

I loved my test drive of the 2022 Seltos SX. I will wait until this fall when Toyota will offer their 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid with 194hp and brand new infotainment system. Here in the US, the Seltos SX goes for 29k-- if Toyota comes out with the corolla cross hybrid for 26k-- will be a very good match indeed!

[@walltiger6603]

i have a corolla cross with 2.0 engine. i use extreme driving style to get 5.0L/100km, which is 47 MPG. i never go over 100km/h, seldom let the engine go over 2500rpm when accelerating and hyper mill when ever possible. so l smile when i see the gas pump, and its a different kind of fun to squeeze for MPG.

[@IndraneelUpponi]

As per Toyota Canada's website, the difference between the Corolla Cross and RAV4 for the LE FWD is just CAD 1000. Why wouldn't anyone get a RAV4 by paying just 1k more?

[@randomfootages9120]

Obviously Corolla cross is the winner much more reliable and durable ❤than kia

[@lemaypereira8498]

Resell value?

[@stephenwinter8892]

What's your opinion on the cvt with the corolla cross

[@danilika9420]

It’s a little anemic and strained, as are most. Subaru probably offers the best CVT in the business.

[@b1_ferg]

Awesome review, guys. New viewer from Vancouver, BC here. I actually just put money down on a Corolla Cross XSE Hybrid that's coming out. I would absolutely LOVE if you could revisit this review again when that vehicle comes out to see what you think of the new and improved version, if not just a good comparison of the gas vs hybrid top trims.

[@danilika9420]

Thanks for the kind words, Bryan! We're both very much looking forward to the Corolla Cross Hybrid and are optimistic about it! Taking a shot in the dark, I'd say your money down was a safe bet!

[@AleexDeschamps]

Which one have more place for the rear seat, if you take the front seat all the way back?

[@danilika9420]

The Seltos would be the roomier of the two regardless of the position of the front seats.

[@paramvir.]

Dont believe Kia instrument panel about gas milage, do your own calculation before and after filling gas. Been driving turbo seltos with mostly highway kms and i get about 9 liters per 100km on average in summer and 10.50 liter per 100km in winter with winter tires .

[@danilika9420]

I do manual calculations with every vehicle I test, and the numbers presented are based on those. The full week finished at 8.5 L/100 km over the course of about 700 km.

[@SpectrumInsights]

A passenger in my Seltos rear seat decided it was a good place to apply sunscreen. I now have permanent white stains in some of the little holes....grrr. At least it was not garlic sauce.

[@xXYellie12Xx]

Damn I with those trim colours and variations were available in Australia

[@StarrDust0]

Thanks great entertaining review...been doing a lot of research in this price range, I'm already with Kia (have a Forte) so a Seltos would be a sensible upgrade for me.

[@danilika9420]

It will definitely feel familiar to you coming out of a Forte!

[@StarrDust0]

@@danilika9420 Thanks, I had that feeling it would...hopefully it's a bit more comfortable, I find the forte a bit stiff for my liking...but you can't have everything in certain price ranges.

[@danilika9420]

@@StarrDust0 Spot on! Realistic expectations are crucial to the shopping process - especially these days! The Seltos’s ride quality is a little more refined than the Forte’s, but that stiffness is pretty common to all of Kia’s vehicles. The best in the segment as far as ride quality might well be the Subaru Crosstrek.

[@StarrDust0]

@@danilika9420 Indeed, we gotta be pragmatic when we shop for anything...unless we have money to burn. Good to know...only thing that turns me off about the Xtrek is that it looks like a station wagon, always hated those as a kid...plus it's a legit off-roader and I'd prefer an on-roader.

[@stephenwinter8892]

Where was these two vehicles filmed

[@danilika9420]

We usually film in and around the GTA. In this case, we shot near Milton, Ont.

[@stephenwinter8892]

@@danilika9420 OK thanks for replying to my message I really enjoyed the preview of the kia steltos

[@stephenwinter8892]

I'm old school I prefer an old fashioned auto transmission

[@MrMelvin20]

@@MikePhang I'm even older fashion gimme a coal-powered turbine engine.

[@grahamcrouse6493]

@Mike Phang Nothing beats a good horse.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Jodi and Dan, For $35K the winner is absolutely clear - made in Ontario RAV4 LE Hybrid with more space, power and mpg!! Having said that, I just cannot pass up on an opportunity to bash Toyota for the Cross's somewhat cramped rear seat and weedy, wheezing powertrain. If Lexus UX Hybrid results are anything to go by, the upcoming Cross Hybrid won't be much more fuel efficient than the RAV4 Hybrid. In conclusion: Buy the RAV4 Hybrid & Buy Canadian!!!!

[@ydmf2]

8 to 12 month waiting list. 😑

[@jaisontoor9459]

Does the Seltos have a backup camera?? Does anyone know?

[@autotrader_ca]

Yes! Backup cameras are legally mandated, so all new vehicles have them as standard equipment.

[@graantmnz]

yes

[@braapyolefart4865]

Burgundy?!? What is it, 1970?!?

[@danyjacob888]

seltos all the way

[@davidgola_]

KIA/Hyundais are fine if you want a new car every 5 years. Toyota/Honda every 10-15

[@jasonpollock9259]

Appearance alone, the Toyota looks...really cheap and basic.

[@danilika9420]

Agreed! Although this Cypress Green paint is quite nice!

[@FpsGamingVids]

Looks are subjective. I prefer Corolla cross appearance much more than the Kia Seltos.

[@nokianx400]

Wait 5 years and see if kia still runs 😂

[@graantmnz]

gutless - good description ....no thanks ...we have a seltos 1.6 turbo

[@Faisal-sf1gh]

Saltos don’t have brake hold button and reliability

[@danilika9420]

It most certainly does have a brake hood button; it’s located next to the cupholders behind the parking brake toggle. As for reliability, that’s not something that’s possible to get into after just a week with a vehicle.

[@Faisal-sf1gh]

@@danilika9420 Is it electronic parking brake?

[@danilika9420]

@@Faisal-sf1gh Yes.

[@raylang339]

What bugs me is the booger hanging from Dan's nose.

[@damham5689]

The guy gets his name chyroned in but the female goes cimpletely unnamed.