Compare the2025 Kia SeltosVS 2025 Subaru Crosstrek

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Seltos achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Subaru Crosstrek has not been tested.

Both the Seltos and Crosstrek offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Crosstrek’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Compared to metal, the Seltos’ plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Subaru Crosstrek has a metal gas tank.

Both the Seltos and the Crosstrek have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Seltos is safer than the Crosstrek:

The Seltos comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Crosstrek’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Seltos 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Crosstrek. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Crosstrek ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 24 percent more Kia dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Seltos’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Seltos second among small suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Crosstrek isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 12th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

The Seltos X-Line/SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (195 vs. 182) and 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 178) than the Crosstrek Premium/Sport/Limited/Wilderness’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Seltos 4 cyl. is faster than the Subaru Crosstrek 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the Seltos X-Line/SX 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Crosstrek Premium/Sport/Limited/Wilderness 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the Crosstrek:

The Seltos stops much shorter than the Crosstrek:

For better traction, the Seltos AWD X-Line/SX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Crosstrek (235/45R18 vs. 225/60R17).

The Seltos’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Crosstrek’s standard 60 series tires. The Seltos AWD X-Line/SX’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s 55 series tires.

The Seltos has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Seltos SX handles at .84 G’s, while the Crosstrek Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Seltos S AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Crosstrek Limited (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Subaru Crosstrek.

The Seltos is 3.8 inches shorter than the Crosstrek, making the Seltos easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Seltos has .2 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the Crosstrek.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The Crosstrek’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek with its rear seat up (26.6 vs. 19.9 cubic feet). The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek with its rear seat folded (62.8 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Seltos easier. The Seltos’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the Crosstrek’s liftover is 30.7 inches.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Seltos EX AWD/SX’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Seltos’ power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The Seltos S/EX/SX has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Seltos SX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Seltos and the Crosstrek offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Seltos has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Seltos is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.