Kia Seltos v Nissan Qashqai v Subaru Crosstrek 2023 comparison review: Best new small SUV crowned!

The Small SUV segment was already hotly contested, but the competition recently got a lot hotter with the arrival of the new 2023 Nissan Qashqai and Subaru Crosstrek. So, we've pitted those two crossovers against a class leader, the facelifted Kia Seltos.
The Qashqai, of course, has entered its second generation with a much more contemporary design inside and out, while the Crosstrek is the evolutionary successor to the well-known XV. And then the Seltos is one of the great sales success stories in recent times.
So, in this expert comparison review, CarsGuide Journalist Tom White finds out the individual strengths and weaknesses of the Qashqai, Crosstrek and Seltos to help you decide which one is right for you. But don't worry; an overall winner is still crowned!
#Kia #Seltos #Nissan #Qashqai #Subaru #Crosstrek #Review
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Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:20 Pricing and features
02:47 Design
04:07 Cabin practicality - Seltos
06:00 Cabin practicality - Crosstrek
08:40 Cabin practicality - Qashqai
10:50 Boot space
11:37 Under the bonnet
12:02 Efficiency
12:34 Driving - Seltos
14:49 Driving - Crosstrek
16:46 Driving - Qashqai
18:23 Safety
19:19 Ownership
19:39 Verdict
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Read Tom's full review: bit.ly/3pgecul
Find more Small SUVs: bit.ly/3QVs1X1
Visit our Urban: bit.ly/3NAZFDa
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[@rosspane4542]

Crosstrek for ride comfort , comfortable seats & AWD stability & grip in bad conditions & gravel roads , but Seltos for larger boot for bigger family & long warranty 😁

[@sedarhenri]

This comparison feels weird. It wasn't on equal grounds. To know the best value for money you need to use the same budget or top/lowest trim of each

[@lebxwski]

This is perfect. I was just trying to find a comparison of these earlier today!

[@aerienix]

While the Crosstrek misses out on front sensors, I do believe it gets a trail cam and surround view camera from the R grade up, more than making up for that.

[@RiverDanube]

This is a very impressive review, best I've seen.

[@TundeEszlari]

Wonderful content.

[@TheNotbremse]

Hi. Can you tell me what tire and rim fits the spare wheel? It is not available in Spain. You can buy a normal one but you lose a lot of trunk space. Thanks in advance!

[@twinjuke]

Great review. A Nissan e-Power owner here. I love it almost in every aspect. My only issues with it: legal confirmation every time you sit in, the air conditioning uses too strong air blow, even when the temperature is at the desired degree, the fuel consumption diagnostic features are VERY poor, the car would deserve a way better UI for seeing the current consumption. The Bose is a joke. Until you listen to it at low volume, it's okay, but from mid to high volume just loses its dynamic sounding. The middle screen in dark is a bit too bright to me even at lowest settings (I like to dim the screens in every car to decrease peripheric light pollution). Now what I like and why I would never buy anything else from the current market: e-Power ACTUALLY feels like an electric car (instant reactions, dynamic power, silence, etc) but without any fears attached to charging the car. Also I love the HUD (from Tekna and Tekna+). I love the safety systems even despite its a bit "too safe". I love the cockpit noise, I mean the lack of noise... I really love it. I love the doors (85° opening), the big-enough trunk, the modern-ish dashboard and the premium-like materials. I like the angle of sight from the driver's seat and though I needed to buy a wireless adapter to use Android Auto without cables, but it works perfectly. The matrix LED is also phenomenal, works perfectly and strong as the sun. :) All-in-all, the best allrounder compact SUV on the market for me. (if you are thinking which car to buy, check the e-Power Qashqai lastly, as you won't like any hybrid alternatives after that. (just remember if you don't listen to me... I told ya' ;)).

[@richardabbot4695]

My daughter bought a Seltos 1 year ago. I think I love it as much as she does. It's brilliant

[@Hawks2015]

We bought Seltos Sports + AWD and loved the extra power it comes with, no more CVT droning sound which used to drive me nuts :)

[@pullsockoff]

2024 Kia Seltos in Canada, X-Line trim has 18 “ wheels, power seats driver and passenger. Also a/c Seats, Heated rear seats, Bose stereo, Awd., LED headlights, taillights do I say more!! That’s why I waited for a 2024 Kia Seltos

[@alveus8205]

I’m in Canada and looking at the seltos too. Does the Canadian version have the speed alarm?

[@shivanggaur2563]

can you do reviews for xuv700 and Scorpio as well

[@carsguide]

Check out our XUV700 review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX2tZ6VpmNeiqqs We will review the Scorpio as soon as we can get our hands on one!

[@ramagoh]

Always a love the overall kia SeltoS

[@frankpavan7107]

Where is the CX 30?

[@sailingwinifred]

Crosstrek won for me - just ordeered my 2024 Crossy!

[@Shambles7698]

To me I will choose qashqai because of epower and it's good looking car 👌

[@trojanhman8136]

new coming out now says that car prices are about to crash. There has been a bubble created that is about to burst. I would be interested to hear what you as the pros in the game, are hearing behind the curtain. Some US sites are stating an 88% drop in prices. I know that in China, cars are selling at 50% off. What can we expect here in Australia in terms of the discount and when those discounted prices will come in?

[@worrywart1311]

For attributes did he really say "a-tributes"? Try "att-ributes" when using it as a noun.

[@Steven-en6uu]

I'll buy any of these that are offered in the top level Mazda trim!

[@luckycricket5600]

Subie wins on so many levels and is the only one that stands out at all. Symmetrical AWD is what this segment should be all about. The others are just raised hatchbacks.

[@paranormalchef5211]

If the Subie had a 2.5 l it would wipe the floor with everything. The xv/ crosstrek has out sold the Forster for years . They should just can the forry and pump their energy and resources into the Crosstrek . They are clearly aware that giving the Crosstrek more power will take all the sales away from the Forester.

[@Motorallyrider]

Wow, sitting on the fence must be very uncomfortable.

[@Shockiiie247]

Urban city and driving Alleyway. KIA Seltos is probably the best. Plus 2.0 Gas engine. You get more than enough power.

[@pauld6556]

Really should have put the CX-30 in there too! That would trump them all.

[@bazinga615]

Nah. I’ve driven both. CX30 had the nicer interior but horrible brittle ride on suburban roads. Torsion beam is also noisy and comes through loud and clear.

[@whatthe6532]

@@bazinga615Good to hear someone telling it how it is with the CX30. Agree 100 percent and I own a Mazda.

[@danielfair4675]

​@bazinga615 outward vision is also hampered, especially if you're a rear seat passenger.

[@PH-kl5qq]

Kamiq?

[@jimmyp1433]

I don't understand these comparisons of different grades, and thus prices, make no sense to me.

[@All-we-have-is-Now]

Where is Kamiq Simon?

[@michaelflinn7784]

I'm making the difficult decision between the Kia and Subaru right now.... I prefer the Kia by a small margin but because of the poorly maintained roads in my neck of the woods I'll probably go for the comfort of the Crosstrek.

[@michaela3330]

Where is the CX-30?😮

[@adorolivar1340]

No need to put CX-30 there coz it's the clear winnah😊

[@57Stjepan]

Fuel consumption could be better

[@creativevit5961]

feels a bit unfair for not including toyota in this review

[@rsmnh7892]

How much Nissan paid you?

[@jasonwright9405]

Kona?

[@nickd8274]

Did I miss which was crowned the overall winner?

[@carsguide]

It was a tough one! Our Senior Journalist Tom White crowned the Nissan Qashqai as winner, due to the fact that it offers the best balance of attributes offered in the other cars in this comparo. The Qashqai also offers a more modern drive experience and a classy exterior and interior treatment too. He does note that it is the most expensive option, and that it wouldn't be suitable for everyone. Skip to 19:39 for his full verdict. 😄

[@ashc3765]

Seltos GT line is way to go!

[@a.m2020]

Do you own Seltos GT-Line?. I paid deposit for it and will arrive in a couple of months?! Is it a good pick? 🤔🙂

[@buzelac4]

What is the purpose of small SUV?

[@craigthacker]

Increased ground clearance to assist in getting in and out of the vehicle with small children. Good fuel economy at a reasonable sale price. Able to do a little bit of adventurous dirt road driving with the family. Easy access for older people that find getting into a sedan difficult. The ride height is also meant to provide better visibility when on the road. To be fair being called a Sports Utility Vehicle isn't actually accurate for most vehicles labelled SUV. In this comparison only the Subaru is a true SUV. The others are raised hatchbacks.

[@kbling2946]

Winner of the dumbest comment of the day 🏆

[@leapingdeer7880]

Small suv's allow for people who need a bigger and taller car then a hatchback but still only want or need a 4 cylinder car. I'm only like 5'3 give or take 1, and I cannot stand driving a hatchback and or saden as it make me feel too low to the ground, so I wen't for a small suv and I like the height.

[@leapingdeer7880]

​@@craigthackerraised hatchbacks with bigger boot space

[@danielfair4675]

Depends what a particular buyer is looking for in a vehicle. For me personally, gas mileage was #1, and the ability to let our 2 Boxer dogs tag along with us.

[@bazinga615]

Can’t imagine a family settling for the Nissan at that price. May as well get a Kia Sportage for that sort of money. I personally think the Subie has them beat with the rugged focused design, cushy ride and AWD, not to mention that awesome looking portrait screen. I don’t mind the Kia interior either, just don’t like the exterior design at all.

[@worrywart1311]

Unfortunately the winner here has one drawback I simply couldn't cope with........It's a Nissan.

[@yslee1401]

Nissan before Renault was great. They went off the edge of a cliff when the French bought them and those troublesome Jatco CVTs don’t help

[@yslee1401]

If Nissan still uses Jatco CVT, I would stay far far away from

[@paulhunter6652]

Crosstrek wins in all categories. Why do people buy Kia?

[@kennethvasquez1650]

Because Kia is on a different level now. #1 in reliability in mass market. Got european designers too from Audi and BMW. Crosstrek is the first to go out with that boxer engine

[@josh3221ify]

Easy! I would pick the Nissan Qashqai, I have had a horrible experience with a korean car, but the best experience with the old qashqai that I have owned for 12 years and still running like new. But would go for xtrail this time just for the extra space. The subaru just looks ugly in my opinion. Can't imagine feeling good inside a car that looks like that. Maybe other subaru models except that one.

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

I would take the Crosstreck for ride / suspension comfort and reliability.

[@aimenaldarkhobi8366]

Reliability? These boxer engines all cant last over 130k km

[@luckycricket5600]

​@@aimenaldarkhobi8366 I believe your refering to a much older spec of boxer engine

[@aimenaldarkhobi8366]

@@luckycricket5600 To boxer engines in general. The new ones are still not more reliable than a conventional engine.

[@luckycricket5600]

@@aimenaldarkhobi8366Thankfully times have changed. Subie engines had pretty bad head gaskets 95 to 06 but since 2012 they have built hugely reliable engines, they are huge here in Australia lol

[@rsmnh7892]

I have 2018 XV with 140k and still smells and drives like new.