2022 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its elevated stance, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance, which was 0.8 inches higher than other Outback models. This increase, combined with aggressive all-terrain tires and oversized fender protection trim, gave it a rugged appearance akin to a Jeep. The restyled front and rear bumpers improved approach and departure angles, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Unique design elements like a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its bold look. The exclusive Geyser Blue paint hue and a robust roof rack system capable of supporting a 700-pound static load further distinguished the Outback Wilderness.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness featured a dark gray and black cabin with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which, while practical, lacked ventilated seats. The interior was accented with Anodized Copper stitching, Gunmetal Gray trim, and brushed aluminum pedals. The rear seat and cargo area were designed with waterproof materials, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge, with our test car totaling $39,965, including additional features like a power sunroof and navigation system.

The 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering five trim levels: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. Our test vehicle, the Nightfall Edition, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission, and robust roof rails. Priced at $28,045, including the destination charge, the Nightfall Edition had no additional options.

The Seltos boasted a stylish interior with a contrast-color dashboard panel, exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. However, the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs and buttons for commonly adjusted features. The infotainment system's purple accent color was an odd choice, but the overall design was user-friendly. Despite some nitpicks, the Seltos was larger, more refined, and more powerful than many of its competitors, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine, shared with the turbo Outback XT models, provided ample power for the 3,896-pound SUV, allowing for a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though our test averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route.

While the engine was strong, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) detracted from the driving experience with its droning and soft simulated gear changes. The Outback Wilderness featured all-wheel drive (AWD) and a commendable 9.5 inches of ground clearance, with 17-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires. The redesigned bumpers improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback ever. The dual-function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control further enhanced its off-road prowess. On pavement, the Outback Wilderness felt quick but limited by its tires, while off-road, it excelled in challenging terrain.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo engine, available in the Nightfall Edition and SX trims, provided a more engaging driving experience, with torque arriving between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm.

The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds, though ground clearance was only 7.3 inches. The Seltos performed well in light off-roading conditions but struggled with larger potholes and uneven pavement. The suspension tuning allowed for excessive body motion, making it less confidence-inspiring on undulating roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos felt lively in urban environments and offered good grip on smooth corners.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that prevented water and sweat from soaking into the seats. While heated front seats were standard, ventilated seats were not available, making the interior uncomfortable in hot weather. The dual-zone automatic climate control effectively cooled the front half of the cabin, and the driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat had 8-way power adjustment.

The rear seat provided generous space for two adults or three children, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also featured a robust roof rack with a 220-pound dynamic load rating and a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access thanks to its ride height and large door openings. The Nightfall Edition featured a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, while the front passenger seat was mounted high enough for proper leg support. The cloth upholstery with Sofino simulated leather bolsters and head restraints added to the comfort level, though the hard plastic upper door panel trim was unkind to elbows.

The rear seat provided ample space for adults, with generous legroom and footroom. The Nightfall Edition included rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a center armrest with cupholders. However, the seatback angle was slightly too reclined for comfort. The Seltos offered decent storage space, including a smartphone shelf, and cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment and climate control system, dominating the center of the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for volume, tuning, and temperature control, most functions required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not intuitive, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better option for voice commands. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims, but featured PIN code entry technology for secure access without the key fob.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on the EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX trims, and optional on the S trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto requiring a cable connection. The standard 8-inch touchscreen in the LX and S trims offered wireless smartphone connectivity. The infotainment system was intuitive to use, with physical knobs and buttons for primary functions, but lacked a native conversational voice recognition system, making smartphone digital assistants a better option.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), powered by two cameras mounted behind the windshield. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Outback Wilderness also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Kia Seltos came with numerous driving assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Seltos EX added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist. The Seltos offered connected services with safety-related functions like 911 Connect and programmable alerts for parents of teen drivers. The 2022 Seltos SX earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, while other trims did not qualify due to inferior headlight performance. The NHTSA gave the Seltos an overall rating of four stars.