Kia Seltos vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, resulting in subtle yet impactful changes. The updated headlight and grille designs, along with a connecting light strip between the smaller taillight assemblies, gave the Seltos a rejuvenated appearance without a significant price hike. The test model showcased the new "Pluton Blue" paint, which added a sharp aesthetic. Inside, the Seltos introduced a new Gentle Brown interior colour, although the test model featured the standard black interior. A prominent change was the large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid debuted with a redesign that presented a more cohesive yet conventional look, losing some of its distinctiveness. The blockier shape and reduced body sculpting gave it a visual heft reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer. The Forester Hybrid maintained a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Forester retained its beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the hybrid model offering a digital instrument panel and heated outboard rear seats, enhancing comfort and modernity.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two powertrain 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 60 to 100 km/h scenarios, although some turbo lag was present at lower speeds. The Seltos handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system featuring two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced 194 horsepower, surpassing the standard Forester's 180 hp. The hybrid system offered standard all-wheel drive, utilizing a traditional driveshaft for better traction. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission's continuous revving made it feel slower than it was. The Forester Hybrid excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to Subaru's X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, providing a balanced performance both on and off the road.

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

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unimpeded forward view, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats offered ample space, creating an open, airy cockpit feel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. The Forester Hybrid featured a wireless charging pad, moderately sized cup holders, and adequate storage options. It offered 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for easy loading. Handy hooks kept groceries secure during transit.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent digital bezel across its trim lineup, with screen sizes varying by trim. The base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while upper trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. Both systems supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Seltos retained tactile controls for volume and climate, with a responsive screen and logical layout. Most trims came with a six-speaker stereo, while the SX and X-Line offered an eight-speaker Bose premium system. The Seltos also featured Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone-based access.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, featuring built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system received praise for its large on-screen buttons and intuitive menu layout. Physical buttons flanking the screen allowed for easy temperature adjustments. The X-Mode off-road drive menu and external camera views enhanced off-road capabilities. The Forester Hybrid also boasted an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered a comprehensive suite of 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 drive-away warning feature alerted drivers if they were distracted when traffic moved.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA in most categories and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured Subaru's EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and a surround-view monitor. The adaptive cruise control was noted for its smooth operation, and the lane-keep assist's audible alarm could be disabled for visual warnings only.