2022 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering four trim levels in Canada: LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. All trims except the LX came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $23,595 to $33,195, excluding the $1,850 destination charge. The U.S. model tested, the Nightfall Edition, was similar to the top SX grade, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos was a small SUV with a stylish interior, though it had an abundance of hard plastic that detracted from its appeal. The controls were logically arranged, but the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not universally liked.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, diverging from the rest of the brand's lineup. It featured the brand's two-line lighting signature, creating an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70 offered six grades in Canada, with two engine options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6. The Sport and Sport Plus grades had unique styling elements, including dark chrome finishes and a cross-hatched matrix pattern. Genesis allowed customers to order directly, offering a wide range of exterior and interior colour combinations. The GV70's cabin featured high-quality materials, with some plastic elements, and offered unique upholstery configurations, including quilted leather seats.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque in the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims. The SX trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Seltos had three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos had a ground clearance of 18.5 centimetres. The suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. Despite some handling issues, the Seltos was lively in urban environments and easy to park.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The GV70 featured Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, with Sport+ delivering aggressive performance. The electronically controlled suspension system provided a balance between comfort and feedback. The GV70's turning radius was tighter than average, making it maneuverable in urban environments.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The driver's seat was adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on most trims. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, though the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos offered decent storage space, with a cargo capacity of 752 litres behind the rear seat and 1,778 litres with the seat folded down.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized the driver with a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The infotainment system was controlled by a raised dial, and the climate controls were configured under a single pane. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The rear space featured a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, though storage was limited. The GV70 offered 819 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,610 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity, though it required a cable connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, but the voice recognition system was frustrating without a smartphone's digital assistant.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with high-resolution graphics. The system allowed for a split-screen layout and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium Sport Plus grade featured a 3D digital instrument cluster and a fingerprint recognition system. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system on top grades.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The SX trim offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included ten standard safety features, such as blind spot collision avoidance, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance. The Highway Driving Assist system provided lane centring and automatic lane changing functions. As of publication, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the GV70.