The 2022 Kia Seltos and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek may be on your shortlist of subcompact SUVs, and with good reason. Kia has been putting out some excellent vehicles lately, and Subaru is well known for its quality and safe cars and SUVs. Still, a look at the Seltos and Crosstrek makes one thing clear; Subaru has gotten the subcompact SUV right, and other manufacturers could learn from them. Let’s see where the Seltos could pick up some tips from the Crosstrek.

The Subaru Crosstrek is the number one subcompact SUV

A look at Consumer Reports’ ratings for subcompact SUVs will tell you that the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is number one, and with good reason. With a road test score of 87, the Crosstrek does a lot right, performance-wise. 

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek a good 3/5 for its acceleration. It can reach 0 to 60 in 10.2 seconds. Its transmission scores a 4/5. Routine and emergency handling both receive a very good 4/5. The Subaru Crosstrek’s max avoidance speed is 55 mph.

The Subaru Crosstrek gets a perfect 5/5 for its braking. It can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 125 feet and 136 feet on wet pavement.

As far as comfort, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek gets a very good 4/5 for its ride. However, it’s fairly quiet: it scores a 4 for its noise. Unfortunately, front-seat comfort is lacking, with just a 3/5. Rear seat comfort gets a 4/5.

Interior fit and finish get an okay 3. The trunk and cargo space scores only a 2/5, with just 27.5 cubic feet of storage space.

The Seltos road test score is good, but not as good

The 2022 Kia Seltos’ road test score is pretty good, at a 72. Still, it isn’t quite as high as the Crosstrek’s, and it has a lot to do with comfort. 

Consumer Reports gives the 2022 Kia Seltos a good 3/5 for its acceleration. It can reach 0 to 60 in 9 seconds. Its transmission scores a 4/5. Routine and emergency handling both receive a very good 4/5. The Kia Seltos’s max avoidance speed is 55 mph.

The Kia Seltos gets a perfect 5/5 for its braking. It can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 128 feet and 133 feet on wet pavement. 

As far as comfort, the 2022 Kia Seltos only gets a 2/5 for its ride. It also only gets a 2/5 for its noise. Front-seat comfort is lacking, with just a 3/5. Rear seat comfort gets a 4/5. Interior fit and finish get an okay 3. The trunk and cargo space scores only a 2/5, with just 28 cubic feet of storage space.

The 2022 Kia Seltos comes with more safety features than the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

If there’s something the Crosstrek could learn from the Seltos, it’s safety features. The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek comes standard with surprisingly few safety features. Only a rear view camera, anti lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and daytime running lights are standard. 

Optional are forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking for the city and highway, lane keeping assistance, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning. 

On the other hand, the 2022 Kia Seltos comes standard with most safety features. It comes with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking for the city, lane-keeping assistance, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, blind spot warning. It also comes with a rearview camera, anti lock brakes, traction control, stability control. Daytime running lights and rear cross traffic warning are optional. Unfortunately, automatic emergency braking for the highway isn’t available for the 2022 Kia Seltos. 

Overall, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has a higher roadtest and overall score than the 2022 Kia Seltos, but the Seltos comes with more safety features. A quick look at their crash test ratings shows that neither are perfect, and come with a mix of four and five stars, depending on the category. It’s important to look at more than the overall rating when you’re car shopping, so you can pick an SUV based on your priorities, whatever they may be.