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Kia Seltos vs. Hyundai Kona

Rugged and ready to take on anything, the Kia Seltos makes for an easy pick if you’re looking for a versatile subcompact SUV option. Countless ways to build and outfit your SUV are an absolute staple in this segment. Power, technology, safety, and comfort are all essentials and while the Seltos checks every box, the question remains, how does it stack up against the competition? Here at Foster Kia, we’ve done the research for you and put the Seltos one on one with the Hyundai Kona. Read on with our experts and find out which SUV reigns supreme!

 

Exterior Design & Features

Kia Seltos Exterior

Classic SUV design is on full display with the Seltos, with its square and defined body. The Seltos accomplishes an effortless blend of sophistication and durability. Find a swathe of LED lightning from the daytime runners to the positioning lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails for utility as well as a front and rear silver skid plate bumper. Take on any road with an aura of distinction.

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Hyundai Kona Exterior

Hyundai Kona Exterior

The Kona comes in with an outside-the-box appearance, featuring a rounded front fascia paired with headlight slits, a spacious body, and an overall lower stance. While this crossover could appear unique and quirky to some, others could very well feel like a sedan and SUV were awkwardly Frankensteined together. Though the design can be arguably polarizing, drivers will find a cascading grille design and overall sporty look.

Specifications: Kia Seltos LX Hyundai Kona
Length (mm/in) 4,370 / 172 4,165 / 164.0
Width (mm/in) 1,800 / 70.9 1,800 / 70.9
Height (mm/in) 1,630 / 64.1 1,550 / 61.0
Wheelbase (mm/in) 2,630 / 103.5 2,600 / 102.4
Ground Clearance (mm/in) 185 / 7.3 170 / 6.7
Curb Weight (lb/kg) 3,185 / 1,444.7 3256.2 / 1,477.0

Interior Design & Features

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Kia Seltos Interior

The first thing you’ll notice about the Seltos is the spacious interior for passengers and cargo alike. There are also a ton of premium features available to outfit the interior of the Seltos from SONFINO leather seats, heated rear seats and 2-way driver’s lumbar support to name a few. Ample space on the inside with as much luxury as you want to outfit your vehicle with? What’s not to love?

Hyundai Kona Interior

Step inside the Kona and find a comfortable vehicle with heated front seats, a dual-level cargo floor and a rearview camera. The Kona doesn’t slouch with its available features, as it features an  8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated steering wheel. However, when it comes to roominess the Kona experiences a large drop-off, especially handling cargo.

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Specifications: Kia Seltos EX Hyundai Kona
Head Room (front) (mm/in) 977 / 38.4 1,005 / 39.6
Head Room (rear) (mm/in) 975 / 38.3 961 / 37.8
Shoulder Room (front) (mm/in) 1,409 / 55.5 1,410 / 55.5
Shoulder Room (rear) (mm/in) 1,395 / 54.9 1,385 / 54.5
Leg Room (front) (mm/in) 1,051 / 41.3 1,054 / 41.5
Leg Room (rear) (mm/in) 965 / 38 880 / 34.6
Cargo Capacity (rear seats down), behind 1st row (L/cu-ft) 1,778 / 62.8 1,296 / 51.0

Performance & Capability

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Kia Seltos Performance

Drivers will have to choose between two engine options with the Seltos, the base 2.0L Atkinson and an available turbocharged 1.6L 4-cylinder Turbo GDI, which is good for 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. No matter what you choose, you’ll be getting a decent amount of pep with plentiful fuel economy thanks in part to the smooth and economical IVT transmission.

Hyundai Kona Performance

Two engine options exist for the Kona, and yes they parallel the options for the Seltos. Once again a standard 2.0L Nu Atkinson, and a 1.6L turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder are the options. Though numbers are identical for the most part, the Kona is paired with a base 6-speed and available 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Hyundai Kona Performance
Specifications: Kia Seltos LX Hyundai Kona
Engine 2.0L Nu Atkinson 2.0L MPI Atkinson 4-cylinder
Horsepower 146 146
Torque (lb-ft) 132 132
Transmission Intelligent Variable Transmission 6-speed automatic
Fuel Efficiency (city/highway) (L/100 km) 8.8 / 7.6 8.7 / 7.5

Safety

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Kia Seltos Safety

Get numerous standard safety features with the Seltos, from Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and a rearview camera. That’s a big value considering the base Seltos comes at an extremely accessible price. Available safety features include Kia’s Lane Keep Assist System, Advanced Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and more.

Hyundai Kona Safety

The Kona comes with essentials like electronic stability control for improved traction, ABS brakes, and remote keyless entry. However, the Kona loses some points as its base level lacks Hyundai’s Smartsense suite of safety features.

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Kia Seltos vs. Hyundai Kona Verdict

When it comes to your adventures both urban and rural, the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona are both crossover options that could easily be considered. However, under closer examination, the fact that the Seltos has the edge with its classy design, more space for your passengers and cargo, and of course that silky-smooth IVT transmission mark the Seltos as the superior choice. In a world of many SUVs, the Seltos marks too many high-priority boxes to be ignored. You’ll be able to find out even more about the Kia Seltos from your friends right here at Foster Kia!

If you’re in search of a new or used vehicle in the Scarborough area, Foster Kia has you covered! Explore our inventory that features the diverse Kia model lineup. From cars, trucks and SUVs, let our experts get you into your next dream vehicle. We are also pleased to offer a comprehensive parts inventory topped off with professional service. No matter what your automotive needs here in Ontario, come on down to Foster Kia and let us give you an unforgettable experience!