2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Kia Seltos

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was available in four trim levels in Canada, ranging from the RAV4 LE at just over $35,000 to the RAV4 Limited, which exceeded $45,000. The design remained largely unchanged from the 2019 model, with the Trail trim featuring a distinctive two-part face. The US equivalent of the Trail trim showcased a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and additional styling elements like a faux skid plate and bridge-type roof rails. Despite these rugged aesthetics, the Trail trim was more about appearance than off-road capability. Inside, the Trail trim added orange accents, contrast stitching, and a frameless rearview mirror, offering a touch of premium feel in an otherwise basic interior. The RAV4's interior varied by trim, with options for fabric or synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone climate control.

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, featuring updated headlight and grille designs, and a new light strip connecting the taillights. These changes gave the Seltos a refreshed look without significant cost increases. The test model in "Pluton Blue" paint looked sharp, while the interior introduced a new Gentle Brown colour option. The most noticeable interior update was the large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, combining a digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The Seltos offered various trims, each with distinct features, from the base LX with 17-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen to the top X-Line trim with 18-inch alloy wheels, a unique grille design, and a Bose premium stereo system.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with all-wheel drive across all trims, powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which, while preferable to a CVT, did not enhance acceleration. The RAV4's performance was more "unobjectionable" than "exciting," with noticeable engine noise. The Trail trim featured 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and shared the same suspension setup as other RAV4 models.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission. The SX and X-Line trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided noticeable power improvements, especially in acceleration from 60 to 100 km/h. The Seltos handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll. The turbocharged engine offered stout acceleration, although there was some turbo lag at lower speeds, which could be mitigated by using Sport mode.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five and offered 958 mm of front headroom and 1,001 mm in the rear with the moonroof. Front legroom measured 1,039 mm, while the rear offered 960 mm. The RAV4 provided ample storage options, including a shelf along the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 1,059 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded.

The 2024 Kia Seltos provided up to 1,778 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 753 litres with them in use. It featured an upright seating position with ample headroom and good rear legroom, accommodating taller occupants comfortably. The front seating area included decently sized in-door cupholders and cubbies, while the centre console offered a small tray for essentials. A removable cargo cover was standard from the EX Premium trim.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen in the Limited trim. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with over-the-air updates. The Trail trim did not receive the upgraded multimedia system, which was reserved for the Limited trim, featuring an 11-speaker JBL audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version in the Limited trim.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent digital bezel across trims, with screen sizes varying. The base system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while upper trims offered a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX and X-Line trims included an eight-speaker Bose stereo system. The Seltos also offered Digital Key 2 Touch, allowing smartphone-based access.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with standard safety features like lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It was equipped with the TSS 2.5 suite, including Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

The 2024 Kia Seltos included standard driver assistance features such as forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The EX Premium trim added smart adaptive cruise control, while the SX included traffic sign recognition and highway driving assist. The Seltos also featured a drive-away warning to alert distracted drivers.