People can’t get enough of the Toyota RAV4. It’s proving to be one of the most popular small SUV options available. But is it possibly over-hyped? We found a few reasons to go with the Kia Seltos instead. Check out how the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Seltos compare. 

The Toyota RAV4 VS The Kia Seltos 

The Kia Seltos Provides More Savings 

The Toyota RAV4 has a reasonable starting price of around $25k, but to add all-wheel-drive, it will cost another $1,400. To go with the Toyota RAV4 TRD off-road version, you will have to spend at least $36k. 

The 2021 Kia Seltos starts around $21k and already includes all-wheel-drive. Plus, the fully loaded Kia Seltos trim is only $28k, so you’ll have luxury and off-roading capabilities with a boatload of savings. Also, the Kia Seltos has an upscale interior with padded, soft-touch leather materials. It makes you feel like you paid more than you did for it. 

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You can choose which safety features you would like to have in the Kia Seltos, helping you save if needed. But the Toyota RAV4 does include more options. You can still get the fully-loaded Seltos for only $3k more than the cost of the Toyota RAV4 base model. 

Also, the Kia Seltos squeezes by with a slightly better fuel economy with the ability to get 26 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The Toyota RAV4 gets about 24 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. 

The Kia Seltos has More Space 

Both the Kia Seltos and Toyota RAV4 are smaller options, but the Kia Seltos doesn’t feel that way on the inside. It has enough space to fit five adults comfortably. It sits lower than the Toyota RAV4, allowing taller people to enjoy the ride. Also, it has one of the most spacious back seats in its class. 

Instead of promoting room for five adults, the Toyota RAV4 is suggested as an excellent SUV for a parent with two teens. The Kia Seltos also has a 40/60 split in the rear seats, making it easy to organize cargo. 

The Kia Seltos is More Fun to Drive 

The Kia Seltos has a lower center of gravity and turbocharged engine to whip around country roads. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only five seconds. The Toyota RAV4 chugs along at a slower pace, taking 7.1 seconds to hit 60 mph. 

With precise steering and a smaller turning radius than the RAV4, the Kia Seltos is easier to get in and out of tight spaces, but while using the Sport driving mode, you might not want to stop. The independent strut suspension also absorbs impacts well to provide a smooth ride. 

Negative reviews about the Toyota RAV4 include it having a lackluster performance. Toyota is also trying to market it more to men to get rid of the RAV4’s association with soccer moms. But The Toyota RAV4 needs a new, modern look. The Kia Seltos has a modern, confident grille and offers paint colors to draw more attention.