The 2022 Kia Seltos and the 2022 Nissan Qashqai operate in the same segment, the subcompact SUV. Even though the design of both is in line with the same philosophy, i.e. they offer a little more space than traditional subcompact models.
However, there is a world of difference between Kia's offering and Nissan's. That may be because the Qashqai has been on the road since 2014 in the same form in Europe, even though it came to us in 2018. That contrasts with Kia's proposition; the Seltos debuted in February 2020.
That makes it a much more modern product. But beyond all that, Kia has done an extraordinary job of, precisely, not offering something banally similar to what's being done elsewhere. The Seltos is different and offers more.
An SUV of its time
The years that separate the two models translate into one obvious thing when you take the time to discover them; the Seltos seems of its time while the Qashqai seems outdated. This is noticeable with the design, where we can see a certain simplicity in the lines of the Nissan model while the Kia product presents a much more modern and current style.
From the inside, the same observation can be made with the presentation, which is more lively with Kia, and the quality of the materials; one has the impression of being in a higher class model with the Seltos. The same goes for the technology, which is easier to use in the latest SUV.
Storage
The Nissan Qashqai was designed to offer a lot of space for cargo and storage. It does well in these areas. However, because the Seltos was designed more recently, it does more in all areas.
In the back, for example, occupants enjoy incredible legroom, but also head and shoulder room. The Qashqai's second row feels cramped, while the Seltos' second row breathes.
What's more, with the four-wheel-drive models found at every address, Kia's cargo volume is much more generous; 1,778 liters versus 1,509 liters for the Qashqai.
Under the hood
Finally, where the Qashqai falls flat, or the Seltos stands out (depending on how you look at it), is in the engine compartment. To the unique choice offered by the Nissan, Kia offers two solutions.
On either side, the base models offer a 2-liter 4-cylinder. Capacities are similar; 146 horsepower for the Seltos, 147 for the Nissan. 132 pound-feet of torque for the Kia, 127 for the Qashqai.
However, the Seltos offers a second engine, a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that releases 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. What's more, this engine is the only one of the two models that isn't linked to a continuously variable transmission. Instead, a seven-speed automatic transmission handles the power.
There are many examples of this type of engine. That's why we invite you to discover the Seltos to understand how far ahead it is of a product like the Qashqai.
