2022 Kia Seltos vs 2023 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 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 appeal. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs and buttons for easy access, although the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not universally liked.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 shared styling cues with the G70 compact luxury sedan, particularly above the belt-line, with split-bar headlights and a strong chrome line that visually connected it to its sedan counterpart. The GV70's interior was a testament to luxury, featuring top-notch materials and excellent fit and finish. The design was both contemporary and classic, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that rose organically from the dash. The GV70's dash included a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The GV70 was available in five trims in Canada, with two powertrains: the 2.5T and 3.5T. The Electrified GV70 was offered as a separate model with a single trim level. The base 2.5T Advanced trim was well-equipped, while higher trims added features like a premium audio system, head-up display, and Nappa leather seating. The Electrified GV70 impressed with its luxury credentials, featuring cream-coloured seats with quilt stitching and a high-contrast design.

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 turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo-DCT combination made the Seltos more engaging to drive, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, and Smart. The AWD system had a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos was suitable for light off-roading. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions and a bouncy ride on uneven roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos was easy to park and offered good visibility.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The 3.5T featured a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The GV70 offered a refined driving experience, blending comfort and sharp handling. The Electrified GV70 used a 77.4-kWh battery pack with dual electric motors, producing 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, with a Boost Mode for additional power. It had a range of 383 kilometres and supported fast charging. The GV70's handling was well-rounded, leaning slightly towards comfort, and it compared favourably to the Genesis GV60 in terms of SUV capabilities.

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 heated front seats were standard on most trims. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, with generous footroom and rear air conditioning vents on upper trims. Cargo space was impressive, with 752 litres behind the rear seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded. The Seltos also featured practical storage solutions, including a smartphone shelf and grocery bag hooks.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered 1,611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 818 litres with the seats in use, which was above average for the class. It came with a hands-free power liftgate and practical storage solutions, including large cupholders and a centre console tray. The front seats were comfortable and easy to adjust, but rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats. The rear bench reclined for added comfort.

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. It included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though a cable connection was required. The system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. However, the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menus. Genesis provided helpful buttons and a rotary dial for navigation, though its proximity to the rotary shifter could cause confusion. The GV70 included four USB ports, wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system, with additional features like ambient lighting and a premium audio system available.

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 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and highway driving assist. Higher trims added features like a blind-spot camera system and reverse automatic emergency braking. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.