2025 Porsche Cayenne vs 2024 Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, resulting in subtle yet effective updates. The exterior featured redesigned headlights and grille, with a light strip connecting the smaller taillight assemblies, giving the vehicle a refreshed appearance without a significant price increase. The test model showcased the new "Pluton Blue" paint, which was particularly striking. Inside, the Seltos introduced a new Gentle Brown interior colour, although the test model retained the standard black interior. The most notable interior update was the expansive digital panel covering two-thirds of the dash, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a more dramatic presence with its standard SUV and sporty Coupe variants. The GTS trim, in particular, stood out with high gloss black trim, a unique front fascia with larger air intakes, and tinted headlights. Red brake calipers were visible through 21-inch anthracite grey wheels, and the Coupe version featured an adaptive rear spoiler. Inside, the Cayenne allowed for extensive customization, from interior colours to trim materials, though these options could significantly increase the price. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential functions, and the shifter toggle on the dashboard provided additional storage space.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The SX and X-Line trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in Sport mode, and the Seltos handled various road conditions with minimal body roll and responsive steering.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.0-litre V6 producing 348 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. The GTS trim featured a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivering 493 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. The Cayenne GTS accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, with a top speed of 275 km/h. The GTS trim balanced sporty performance with comfort, featuring precise steering and an active suspension system. Optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power, and the Cayenne transformed into a comfortable commuter in Normal mode.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered impressive cargo space for a subcompact SUV, with up to 1,778 litres available when the rear seats were folded. With the seats in use, it provided 753 litres of cargo space. The Seltos featured an upright seating position, 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 hands-free power liftgate was standard from the EX Premium trim.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, while luxurious, required additional investment for many features. The base model included eight-way power-adjustable seats, two-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel. The GTS trim added a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The Cayenne accommodated five passengers, with ample headroom in the second row. Cargo space was slightly smaller than competitors, with 772 litres behind the second row and 1,708 litres with seats folded. The Cayenne could tow up to 3,500 kilograms and handle a payload of over 635 kilograms.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent digital bezel across trims, with screen sizes varying by model. The base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while upper trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and touchscreen. Both systems supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with physical controls for volume and climate settings. The SX and X-Line trims offered an eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system, and the Seltos was available with Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The Cayenne featured a head-up display, night-vision assist, and four high-speed USB-C charging ports. A cooled wireless charging area was standard, preventing phone overheating during charging.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came equipped with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The EX Premium trim added smart adaptive cruise control, while the SX included traffic sign recognition and highway driving assist.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were optional. The Cayenne had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS for safety.