2022 Kia Seltos vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of trim levels in Canada, including LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. Most trims came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), except for the Seltos LX. The price range was between $23,595 and $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 universally liked. Inside, it showcased style with exposed stitching and metallic accents, but the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from the interior's overall quality. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs and buttons for easy access, although the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not a popular choice.

The 2023 Subaru Forester maintained a familiar design, reminiscent of previous models, especially in Cascade Green Silica paint. It was available in Base, Touring, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Premier trims in Canada, with prices ranging from $30,995 to $41,595, excluding the $1,975 destination charge. The Premier trim, tested, featured appealing 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. The Forester's design was practical, with robust roof rails and a high static-weight rating, allowing for various outdoor activities. Inside, the Premier trim offered exclusive brown leather and metallic accents, maintaining a traditional Subaru design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. While hard plastic was prevalent, it made the cabin easy to clean. The Forester's interior was busy, with a mix of grey and silver cladding, but the control layout was user-friendly, relying on traditional buttons and knobs.

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 engine with 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The DCT was quirky but preferable to the CVT, making the Seltos more engaging to drive. The Seltos had Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, 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 the Seltos exhibiting lateral rocking motions and a bouncy ride on uneven roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos was lively in urban environments, with good visibility and easy parking.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, powering all four wheels through a CVT. The CVT had eight programmed ratios, and the SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for quicker responses. The Forester had an X-Mode off-road traction control system with hill descent control, and the Sport trim added Deep Snow and Mud settings. The Forester Premier, tested, handled various weather conditions confidently, including flooded roadways and muddy trails. The Forester's driving dynamics were excellent, with a comfortable yet communicative ride and trustworthy handling. The steering was light and accurate, and the brakes were responsive. The Forester's ride was firm and communicative, reminiscent of older Subarus. However, the engine was merely adequate, and the Forester's fuel consumption was higher than expected, at 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy entry and exit due to its ride height and large door openings. The driver's seat was manually adjustable, and the steering wheel was tilt-and-telescopic. Heated front seats were standard on all trims except the base LX FWD. The rear seat was spacious, with generous legroom and footroom, although the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos provided decent storage space, including a smartphone shelf, and cargo space measured 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a focus on simplicity and substance. The Touring trim offered a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Forester's outward visibility was excellent, with tall glass and thin windshield pillars. The Premier trim's power-adjustable front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats lacked leg support. The Forester's doors were well-sealed, and interior storage was plentiful. The cargo area was usefully shaped, with hooks and tie-downs, and offered 762 litres of space behind the back seat and 1,957 litres with the seat folded down.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system in the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though a cable connection was required. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating, and it was recommended to use smartphone assistants instead.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen was available, along with a navigation system and Harman Kardon audio. The Forester's older Starlink system was user-friendly, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs and buttons. However, the voice recognition system was nearly useless, and it was recommended to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for better results.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos SX 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 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight collection of collision avoidance and driver assist technologies, with updated software and cameras. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims included Automatic Emergency Steering. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA.