The battle between SUVs rages on as the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek battles the 2022 Kia Seltos. While the Kia Seltos is a newer option than the Subaru Crosstrek, it still doesn’t beat it as the best SUV rankings for 2022 emerge. 

2022 Subaru Crosstrek vs. 2022 Kia Seltos 

According to Motor Trend, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek and better than the 2022 Kia Seltos. On its list of best SUVs, the Crosstrek came in first place with a score of 9.3 out of 10. The Kia Seltos is ranked in third place with a score of 9.0. 

The Kia Soul actually came in second place, but it can’t keep up with the Crosstrek or Seltos off the pavement. So, we will revisit why the Kia Soul outranks the Kia Seltos later. 

Anyways, the Subaru Crosstrek has a high ranking for its off-roading capabilities, high safety scores, advanced tech, comfort, and driver engagement. The Kia Seltos ranks highly for having an excellent fuel economy, an abundance of cargo space, AWD at an affordable price, and plenty of standard value. 

Does the Seltos perform better than the Crosstrek? 

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek has a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 2.5-liter flat-four engine for 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. 

With the base engine, it takes about 10.4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. You can reach 60 mph in about 8.4 seconds with the 2.5-liter engine. 

The 2022 Kia Seltos comes with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. By upgrading to the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, you’ll get 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Seltos can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.1 seconds. 

When properly equipped, the Cross can tow up to 1,500 lbs, and the Seltos can tow up to 3,500 lbs. You can add AWD to Seltos models for about $500 to $700. AWD is standard with the Crosstrek. 

The Crosstrek has unresponsive handling and noticeable body roll around curves, while the Seltos feels a little nose heavy around curves. The Seltos may have a little more noise enter the cabin.

Does the Crosstrek or Seltos have better features? 

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek starts at about $22,445. You can begin with a 2022 Kia Seltos at around $22,490. These prices are the MSRPs and don’t include dealership markups or destination fees. 

A 6.5-inch infotainment screen comes standard with the Crosstrek, but you can upgrade to the 8.0-inch unit. The Kia Seltos come with a 10.3-inch unit. Both SUVs come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The Kia Seltos comes with standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Similar features are available with the Crosstrek. 

While the Crosstrek has an interior that feels durable and functional, the Seltos includes high-quality materials. It also provides more passenger and cargo space. 

The Crosstrek gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and up to 33 mpg on the highway. The Seltos gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and up to 35 mpg on the highway. 

So, why is the Subaru Crosstrek ranked ahead of the Kia Seltos? Perhaps because the Crosstrek offers a more refined ride. However, the Seltos comes with more space, comfort, and tech.