2022 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its sophistication with a longer body, revised grille, and sporty character lines. The updated LED lighting and new alloy wheel designs contributed to its modern look. Inside, the Kona's interior was redesigned for a more spacious feel, with ambient lighting adding a touch of elegance. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-colour cladding and exclusive interior features, making the Kona appear more athletic and sporty. The Kona N, in particular, stood out with its aggressive design and performance-oriented features.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Soul and larger Sportage, offering a range of trims with standard AWD on most. The Seltos Nightfall Edition, similar to the SX grade, featured 18-inch alloy wheels and a turbocharged engine. While the Seltos had an appealing design, the headlights were not universally liked. Inside, the Seltos boasted a stylish interior with exposed stitching and metallic accents, though the abundance of hard plastic detracted from its overall quality. The controls were logically arranged, and the infotainment system, despite its purple theme, was intuitive to use.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to different performance needs. The base trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower, paired with a CVT. The N Line trim provided a more spirited drive with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The high-performance Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona's handling was composed, with its low centre of gravity contributing to its agility and stability.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre engine with 146 horsepower on lower trims, paired with a CVT. The SX trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The Seltos provided a more engaging drive than some rivals, with driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Smart. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. The Seltos excelled in urban environments, offering good visibility and easy parking, but highway driving revealed some noise issues.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, offered comfortable front seating with ample headroom and legroom. However, rear-seat space was limited, with small door openings and compromised head- and legroom. Cargo space was tight, with 544 litres available with all seats up and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in interior space, offering roomy seating and easy access with large door openings. The rear seat provided ample legroom and footroom, with additional features like rear air conditioning vents and a centre armrest. Cargo space was generous, with 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded. The Seltos also offered practical storage solutions, enhancing its daily usability.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an 8-inch display on the base trim, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Kona N Line and Kona N offered additional tech features like a Harman Kardon audio system and wireless device charging. Hyundai BlueLink provided connected services for added convenience.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, paired with a Bose sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, and satellite radio, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto requiring a wired connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical controls for easy access. However, the voice recognition system was less effective, making smartphone integration a better option.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though it missed Top Safety Pick status due to child-seat anchor issues.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind spot monitoring, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The SX trim added adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and four stars from the NHTSA, with some trims missing top ratings due to headlight performance.