2023 Kia Sportage Vs Kia Seltos: A Comparison

Kia Sportage Vs Kia Seltos

Table of Contents

In the bustling world of SUVs, finding the perfect fit for your lifestyle can seem like a daunting task. With a plethora of models to choose from, you might find yourself in a sea of specifications, features, and price points. Two standout options in this crowded market are the 2023 Kia Sportage and Kia Seltos. These models, while hailing from the same family, are distinct in their own ways, each designed to cater to different tastes and requirements. 

This in-depth comparison will highlight the unique attributes and differences of these two models, providing a clear picture of what each brings to the table.

Exterior Design

The 2023 Kia Sportage and Kia Seltos possess distinctive yet appealing designs, each capturing a unique aesthetic.

The Sportage’s exterior exudes a more mature and robust look, a product of its latest redesign. Kia has given the Sportage an aggressive front grille with an integrated LED lighting system, which creates a striking visual image. The smooth body lines, bold wheel arches, and the dynamic rear end with distinctive taillights complete the athletic stance of the Sportage.

On the other hand, the Seltos presents a more youthful and energetic appeal. It features a bold tiger-nose grille, sleek LED headlights, and a more boxy silhouette compared to the Sportage. The prominent wheel arches and the sculpted rear design lend the Seltos a rugged and adventurous look.

Interior Design

Inside, both the Sportage and Seltos deliver a high level of quality and sophistication.

The 2023 Sportage’s interior is a blend of elegance and technology. With its driver-oriented dashboard, high-quality materials, and state-of-the-art tech features, the Sportage offers a refined and premium feel. The panoramic sunroof and mood lighting further enhance the cabin’s luxurious ambience.

The Seltos also boasts a well-appointed interior, although with a more youthful vibe. The dashboard is modern and ergonomic, featuring a blend of soft-touch materials and metallic accents. The ambient lighting, available in the higher trims, adds an extra layer of style to the cabin.

Seating

The Sportage offers more room for both front and rear passengers, with ample headroom and legroom. The seats are plush and supportive, with available features like leather upholstery, power adjustments, and heating and ventilation in the upper trims.

The Seltos, while slightly smaller, makes efficient use of its space to provide a comfortable seating experience. The rear seats offer generous legroom for the segment, and the available features like heated front seats and synthetic leather upholstery add to the comfort.

Storage

When it comes to cargo space, the Sportage has the upper hand with its larger dimensions. It offers more generous boot space and additional storage compartments throughout the cabin.

The Seltos, while not as spacious as the Sportage, offers a decent cargo area that can accommodate a good amount of luggage. The rear seats can be folded down to expand the cargo space when needed.

Performance

The Sportage comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a good balance of power and efficiency. For those seeking more power, a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is available, which offers brisk acceleration and lively performance.

The Seltos offers a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides sufficient power for daily driving. A turbocharged 1.6-liter engine is available for those wanting a peppier drive.

Both vehicles come with standard front-wheel drive, with the option for all-wheel drive for enhanced stability and traction.

Fuel Efficiency

In terms of fuel efficiency, both vehicles are designed to be economical, but the Seltos edges out slightly due to its smaller size and lighter weight.

The Sportage’s base engine is estimated to deliver around 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The turbocharged engine, due to its performance focus, has slightly lower fuel economy figures.

The Seltos, with its standard engine, offers an estimated 29 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Opting for the turbocharged engine will slightly decrease these figures, but overall, the Seltos offers competitive fuel efficiency in its class.

Safety

The Sportage comes standard with Kia’s Drive Wise suite, which includes features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Rear Occupant Alert. Higher trims add Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go.

The Seltos also offers a good array of safety features. The standard suite includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning. Additional safety features like Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist are available in the higher trims.

Trim Levels

The Sportage is available in LX, S, EX, and SX Turbo trims. Each trim level offers a progressively higher level of equipment, with the SX Turbo boasting the most premium features and the powerful turbocharged engine.

The Seltos comes in LX, S, EX, and SX Turbo trims. The base LX trim is well-equipped for the price, and the higher trims add more comfort and convenience features. The SX Turbo trim, like in the Sportage, offers the most comprehensive feature list and the turbocharged engine.

Pricing

The 2023 Sportage starts at around $25,000 for the base LX trim, with the top-of-the-line SX Turbo trim priced around $35,000.

The 2023 Seltos, being a smaller SUV, has a lower starting price. The base LX trim starts at around $22,000, and the top SX Turbo trim comes in at around $29,000.

Key Differences

While the 2023 Kia Sportage and Kia Seltos share several similarities, including their brand heritage, they also have key differences that distinguish them from each other. Here’s a closer look at these distinctions:

Size and Class: 

The most apparent difference between the Sportage and the Seltos is their size. The Sportage is a compact SUV, which means it’s larger than the Seltos, a subcompact SUV. This difference in size translates to more interior space in the Sportage, including passenger room and cargo capacity.

Performance:

Both vehicles offer a base and a turbocharged engine, but the Sportage’s engines are slightly larger and more powerful, reflecting its bigger size and positioning as a more premium model.

Standard Safety Features: 

While both the Sportage and Seltos come equipped with a suite of safety features, the Sportage comes standard with more advanced safety tech, such as Lane Following Assist and Rear Occupant Alert, which are not standard on the base Seltos.

Pricing: 

As a larger and more premium model, the Sportage comes with a higher price tag compared to the Seltos. The starting price for the Sportage is around $25,000, while the Seltos begins at about $22,000.

Fuel Efficiency: 

Due to its smaller size and lighter weight, the Seltos has a slight edge in fuel efficiency. This advantage may be an important factor for buyers prioritizing economical driving.

Final Thoughts

To wrap up, both the 2023 Kia Sportage and Kia Seltos shine in their respective segments. They offer a blend of style, performance, and practicality that few other SUVs can match. The Sportage, with its roomy interior, advanced safety features, and powerful performance, is ideal for those seeking a more premium compact SUV experience. On the other hand, the Seltos, with its efficient fuel economy, affordable pricing, and youthful design, is a fantastic choice for those looking for a value-packed subcompact SUV. 

Your final decision will undoubtedly hinge on your unique needs and preferences. Regardless of your choice, both the Sportage and the Seltos are excellent representatives of Kia’s commitment to quality, innovation, and value.

Features Breakdown

2023 Kia Sportage Features

  • Exterior Design: Mature and robust look with aggressive front grille, integrated LED lighting system, smooth body lines, and dynamic rear end.
  • Interior Design: Blend of elegance and technology with a driver-oriented dashboard, high-quality materials, panoramic sunroof, and mood lighting.
  • Seating: Plush and supportive seats with ample room for five passengers; higher trims feature leather upholstery, power adjustments, and heating and ventilation.
  • Storage: Generous boot space and additional storage compartments throughout the cabin.
  • Performance: Standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or optional turbocharged 2.0-liter engine; both front-wheel and all-wheel drive available.
  • Fuel Efficiency: Estimated 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for the base engine.
  • Safety: Standard Drive Wise suite with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Rear Occupant Alert; higher trims add further features.
  • Trim Levels: Available in LX, S, EX, and SX Turbo trims.
  • Pricing: Starts around $25,000 for the base LX trim and goes up to around $35,000 for the top SX Turbo trim.

2023 Kia Seltos Features

  • Exterior Design: Youthful and energetic look with bold tiger-nose grille, sleek LED headlights, boxy silhouette, and sculpted rear design.
  • Interior Design: Modern and ergonomic dashboard with soft-touch materials and metallic accents; higher trims feature ambient lighting.
  • Seating: Comfortable seating for five with generous rear legroom; higher trims offer heated front seats and synthetic leather upholstery.
  • Storage: Decent cargo area that can be expanded by folding down the rear seats.
  • Performance: Standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine; both front-wheel and all-wheel drive available.
  • Fuel Efficiency: Estimated 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway for the base engine.
  • Safety: Standard safety features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning; higher trims add further features.
  • Trim Levels: Available in LX, S, EX, and SX Turbo trims.

Pricing: Starts around $22,000 for the base LX trim and goes up to around $29,000 for the top SX Turbo trim.

About Marcus The Car Guy

I've been in car sales and finance for over 20 years, working at the highest volume dealerships in the nation including Fletcher Jones, DCH and more. Want to pick my brain on finding cars, negotiating cars, and structuring car deals?

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