2022 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of 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 visually appealing small SUV, though the headlights were not particularly favoured. Inside, it showcased a stylish design with exposed stitching and metallic accents, but the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall quality. The controls were logically arranged, though the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not universally appealing.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from the previous year, offering four trim levels in Canada: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, and Execline. Prices ranged from $41,595 to $57,695, plus a $1,950 destination charge. The Execline trim, tested in the U.S., featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its upscale appearance. The Atlas's interior design was simple yet premium, though the use of low-cost materials and hard plastics was disappointing for a vehicle nearing $60,000. The storage areas lacked linings, leading to unwanted noise, and the interior quality was not as refined as expected. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas's spaciousness and comfort were notable, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The SX trim featured a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, delivering 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with torque available between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. The Seltos offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions on uneven pavement and feeling bouncy on undulating roads. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos was capable in light off-roading conditions. The official fuel consumption rating for the Seltos SX was 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion AWD. The V6 engine, optional for Comfortline and Highline and standard for Execline, delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6 could tow up to 2,268 kilograms but had a gritty note and granular feel, with a fuel consumption estimate of 12.2 L/100 km in combined driving. The Atlas offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with Active Control calibrations for different conditions. The 4Motion AWD system decoupled the rear wheels for fuel efficiency, with ground clearance at 18.1 cm for the turbocharged Atlas and 17.9 cm for the V6. The Atlas's handling was sound, but the ride quality was softer and more compliant than previous models, with added body float on undulating pavement.

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 manually adjustable, and the tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel allowed for a comfortable driving position. Heated front seats were standard on all trims except the base LX FWD. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous footroom and rear air conditioning vents on upper trims. Cargo space measured 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down, with plastic grocery bag hooks for convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas boasted a spacious interior, seating seven people comfortably with sufficient head and legroom, even in the third row. The step-in height was low, making entry and exit easy. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to unwanted noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down. The Atlas's cargo capacity surpassed that of the full-size Nissan Armada, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto requiring a cable connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical buttons for primary functions, but lacked a native conversational voice recognition system. The system's voice recognition was frustrating, and using smartphone digital assistants was recommended.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display expanding to 10.25 inches on the Highline trim. The Trendline had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. The Execline trim had a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. The infotainment system had a slow startup and cumbersome tuning process, with voice recognition issues. Using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended for a better experience.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Seltos also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability 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 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. The Comfortline added adaptive cruise control and parking sensors, while the Highline featured LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Execline included Area View and Park Assist technology. The Atlas's Lane Assist had issues with pavement scars and exit ramps, and disabling it required using the digital instrumentation. The Atlas received four-star ratings in frontal-impact tests from the NHTSA.