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We have a battle of affordable new SUVs today. The Toyota Corolla Cross is stepping up to the plate against the Kia Seltos. However, critics have found that the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross falls short of the 2022 Kia Seltos in a few areas. 

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. 2022 Kia Seltos 

A white 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is driving on the road.
The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross | Toyota

According to Cars.com, the 2022 Kia Seltos and 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross are both excellent subcompact SUVs to consider. The Corolla Cross starts at about $22,195, while the Seltos begins at around $22,590. 

Both SUVs are competitively priced, making it difficult to pick one. Also, these prices are the MSRPs. They do not include dealership markups or destination fees. 

Plus, the Kia Seltos has a few advantages to consider, such as a little more space. The Kia Seltos offers 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats with up to 62.8 cubes total. 

With the Corolla Cross, you get 24.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and up to 66.6 cubes total. While it has more room for cargo with the seats folded down, the Corolla Cross only provides 32.0 inches of legroom in the backseat compared to 38.0 inches in the Seltos. 

The Kia Seltos is faster than the Toyota Corolla Cross 

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross has a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 9.83 seconds. This is a bit below average but it’s fine for driving around the city. 

With the 2022 Kia Seltos, you get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine for 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Seltos can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.03 seconds. 

Both the Corolla Cross and Seltos can be equipped with all-wheel drive. However, the Seltos offers a Lock Mode to enhance traction and control in certain situations. It also has a center-locking differential and torque vectoring. 

When properly equipped, the Kia Seltos can tow up to 2,000 lbs and the Toyota Corolla Cross can tow up to 1,500 lbs. That’s enough power to haul small campers and recreational vehicles. 

Also, the Corolla Cross gets an EPA-estimated 31 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. 

The Seltos has more tech

Snow White Pearl 2022 Kia Seltos driving under a bridge
2022 Kia Seltos | Kia

The 2022 Kia Seltos and 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross both have upscale interiors with high-quality materials. The Corolla Cross even has attractive faux-leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped shift knob. 

But the Corolla Cross only has a 7.0- and 8.0-inch infotainment display. The Kia Seltos offers a 10.3-inch infotainment display. Optional features include a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster, Bose audio system, and a head-up display. 

While these new subcompact options are great and affordable, the Seltos offers more. It has more passenger space, a little more power, and more advanced tech options.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.