Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh that subtly enhanced its exterior and interior aesthetics. The updated headlight and grille designs, along with a connecting light strip between the smaller taillight assemblies, gave the Seltos a rejuvenated appearance without significant cost implications. The new "Pluton Blue" paint colour added a sharp look to our test model. Inside, the Seltos introduced a new Gentle Brown interior option, although our test model featured the standard black interior. The most striking 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 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid maintained its evolutionary design improvements, carrying forward changes from 2024. The most noticeable update was the frameless grille with a curved wing bar, creating a visual connection with the headlights. The aerodynamic air inlets and outlets around the wheel arches improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, featuring soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The Canadian model came with black leather upholstery, and the cabin included chrome-trimmed power window switches and "Hybrid"-stitched floor mats. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof.

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 an 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 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 hp. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators for engine start/stop functions, battery charging, and driving assistance. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. Subaru's AWD system, combined with the X-Mode traction management system, provided superior off-road capability compared to competitors. The steering was light but precise, and the revised dual-pinion steering rack reduced body lean.

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

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more cargo space, with 527 litres behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with them folded. The hybrid maintained a large 63-litre fuel tank, allowing for extended driving ranges. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. Deep door pockets and a standard-size glove compartment provided additional storage options.

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 and a 4.2-inch digital instrument panel, 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, tuning, and climate settings, with a responsive screen and logical layout. The SX and X-Line trims offered an upgraded Bose premium stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software lagged behind competitors. The system was slow, prone to fingerprints, and relied heavily on touchscreen controls for functions like auto-hold and fan speed. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with physical buttons for volume, tuning, and HVAC controls. The Crosstrek Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, although the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps from phone projections.

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

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid's safety ratings were mixed, with the IIHS not awarding it a Top Safety Pick designation due to "Marginal" and "Acceptable" crash test scores. However, the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more. A surround-view camera and DriverFocus driver distraction mitigation system were also standard.