Hey guys! So, you're in the market for a subcompact SUV, huh? Smart choice! These little guys are perfect for city life, offering great fuel efficiency and a surprisingly spacious interior. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to decide which one's the best fit for you. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Kona, both from the 2022 model year. Get ready for a deep dive where we'll explore everything from their design and features to their performance and pricing. By the end of this comparison, you'll have a much clearer picture of which SUV deserves a spot in your driveway. Let's get started!

Design and Styling: Looks That Could Kill (or at Least Attract)

First impressions matter, right? And when it comes to cars, that means the way they look. The 2022 Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona both bring their own unique style to the table. The Seltos takes a more rugged and sophisticated approach. It boasts a bold front grille, distinctive LED lighting, and a boxier silhouette that gives it a more substantial presence. Think of it as the SUV that means business, but still knows how to have fun. The Seltos is available in a variety of trims, and each one adds its own personality. The Seltos is designed to turn heads, whether you're navigating city streets or embarking on an off-road adventure. The Kia Seltos has earned praise for its attractive and modern design. Its strong lines, distinctive lighting elements, and available contrasting roof options give it a contemporary and eye-catching look. The design prioritizes practicality with its spacious cargo area and comfortable seating, while still maintaining an aesthetic appeal that resonates with a broad audience. The Seltos's interior is equally well-designed, offering a comfortable and user-friendly experience. The Seltos has also garnered attention for its thoughtful details and user-friendly infotainment system, making it a favorite among buyers looking for style and functionality.

On the other hand, the 2022 Hyundai Kona is all about that youthful, energetic vibe. Its design is more playful and quirky, with a split headlight design, a cascading grille, and a wide stance that gives it a sporty feel. The Kona is the kind of SUV that's not afraid to stand out from the crowd. It’s got a personality that's as bright and bold as its available color options. The Kona's design is more about making a statement, and it definitely achieves that. The Hyundai Kona has received positive reviews for its striking and distinctive design. Its compact dimensions and modern styling, with elements like the split headlight design and cascading grille, give it a bold and contemporary appearance. The Kona stands out in a crowded market due to its unique aesthetic. The Kona's interior design is also praised for its modern and functional layout. The design features high-quality materials, comfortable seating, and an intuitive infotainment system. This combination of style and practicality makes the Kona an attractive option for buyers seeking a compact and eye-catching SUV. The Kona's vibrant color options and available contrasting roof add to its appeal, making it a standout choice for those who value individuality and design.

Interior Comparison: Comfort and Convenience

Inside, both SUVs offer comfortable and well-equipped cabins. The Kia Seltos often wins points for its spaciousness. While it's still a subcompact, the Seltos manages to feel roomier than the Kona, especially in the rear seats. This makes it a great choice if you frequently carry passengers or need extra cargo space. The Seltos's interior is well-designed with quality materials. It offers a user-friendly infotainment system, comfortable seating, and a good amount of cargo space for its size. The design prioritizes comfort and practicality, making it a great option for daily commutes and road trips. The Kia Seltos is known for providing a more spacious interior than many of its competitors in the subcompact SUV segment. This additional roominess extends to both the front and rear seats, making it a comfortable choice for passengers of all sizes. The Seltos also offers a generous cargo capacity, allowing for ample storage space for luggage, groceries, or other items. The interior design emphasizes functionality and ease of use, with well-placed controls and a user-friendly infotainment system. The Kia Seltos's spacious interior makes it a practical choice for those who need a versatile and comfortable SUV.

The Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, has a more driver-focused cockpit. It's not necessarily less comfortable, but it feels more intimate and sporty. The Kona's interior is well-designed with modern aesthetics and quality materials. The driver-focused cockpit provides an engaging driving experience. Its interior layout prioritizes ease of use and comfort, with a thoughtfully designed dashboard and well-placed controls. The Kona offers a comfortable seating arrangement, with supportive seats that provide good support during long drives. The Kona's infotainment system is intuitive and easy to navigate, adding to the overall driving experience. The Kona's interior design emphasizes functionality, comfort, and style, making it a compelling choice for drivers looking for a compact SUV that delivers both practicality and a sense of refinement. The Kona features a well-designed interior with quality materials, a driver-centric layout, and an intuitive infotainment system.

Performance and Handling: How They Drive

Alright, let's get into the fun stuff: how these SUVs actually drive! The 2022 Kia Seltos typically offers a choice of engines, depending on the trim level. You might find a peppy base engine that's great for city driving or a more powerful turbocharged engine that provides extra oomph for highway cruising and passing. The Seltos generally provides a comfortable ride, with suspension tuned to absorb bumps and imperfections in the road. Its handling is composed, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The Kia Seltos offers a balanced driving experience, with a focus on both comfort and performance. Its available engine options cater to various driving needs, from efficient city commutes to spirited highway driving. The Seltos is known for its comfortable ride quality, thanks to a well-tuned suspension system that effectively absorbs bumps and road imperfections. The handling is precise and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in urban environments and on winding roads. The Kia Seltos's combination of performance and handling characteristics makes it a versatile SUV that is suitable for a wide range of driving scenarios, providing a pleasant and confident driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona also has a variety of engine options available. Similar to the Seltos, you can expect a fuel-efficient base engine and a more powerful turbocharged option. The Kona is known for its agile handling and a more engaging driving experience. It feels a bit sportier than the Seltos, with quicker steering and a tighter suspension. The Hyundai Kona delivers a dynamic and engaging driving experience, characterized by its responsive handling and available performance-oriented engine options. The Kona's suspension is tuned to provide a balance between comfort and agility, making it enjoyable to drive on various road surfaces. The steering is precise and responsive, enhancing the Kona's maneuverability in both city and highway driving. The Kona's available engine options offer brisk acceleration and ample power for everyday driving needs. The Hyundai Kona's driving dynamics are designed to provide an engaging and enjoyable experience, appealing to drivers who value a sporty and responsive feel on the road. The Kona's handling is often praised for its agility and responsiveness.

Fuel Efficiency: Saving Those Dollars

Let's be real, fuel efficiency is a big deal these days. Both the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona excel in this area. You can expect to get great gas mileage from either SUV, making them ideal for daily commutes and longer road trips. Fuel efficiency is a strong selling point for both the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona, making them economical choices for daily driving and longer journeys. The Seltos, with its efficient engine options, delivers impressive fuel economy, helping drivers save on fuel costs without compromising performance. The Kona also offers excellent fuel efficiency, ensuring drivers can enjoy their rides without frequent stops at the gas station. Both SUVs are designed to optimize fuel consumption, making them practical choices for those seeking to minimize their environmental impact and reduce their transportation expenses. Both the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona prioritize fuel efficiency.

Features and Technology: Gadgets Galore

Both the 2022 Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona are packed with modern features and technology. You'll find things like touchscreen infotainment systems, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are almost a given), advanced safety features, and a variety of driver-assistance systems. The specifics will vary depending on the trim level you choose. The Kia Seltos has a well-designed infotainment system, user-friendly controls, and a suite of advanced driver-assistance features. The Hyundai Kona boasts a modern infotainment system, smartphone integration, and a range of safety technologies.

The Kia Seltos's infotainment system is typically intuitive and easy to use, with a responsive touchscreen display and clear graphics. It often includes features like navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone integration, allowing drivers to easily connect their devices and access their favorite apps. The Seltos also offers a range of advanced driver-assistance systems, such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring, enhancing safety and providing peace of mind. The Kia Seltos's technology features are designed to provide a seamless and enjoyable driving experience, combining convenience and safety. These technological offerings make the Seltos a standout choice in its segment, offering a blend of modern amenities and advanced safety features. The Seltos's infotainment is known for its user-friendliness.

The Hyundai Kona also features a modern infotainment system with a touchscreen display, smartphone integration, and various connectivity options. It typically offers a range of advanced driver-assistance systems, including features like lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert, enhancing safety and driver convenience. The Kona's technology features are designed to provide a connected and secure driving experience, incorporating user-friendly interfaces and advanced safety technologies. The Hyundai Kona's technological offerings, including its user-friendly infotainment and advanced driver-assistance systems, contribute to its appeal as a modern and technologically advanced compact SUV. The Kona is known for its smartphone integration.

Safety: Keeping You Safe

Safety is a top priority, and both SUVs perform well in this area. Both the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona come standard with a good array of safety features, including airbags, electronic stability control, and antilock brakes. They often perform well in crash tests conducted by organizations like the IIHS and NHTSA. The Kia Seltos is known for its robust safety features and strong performance in crash tests. The Hyundai Kona is praised for its comprehensive safety features and high safety ratings.

Both SUVs are equipped with a variety of safety features, including multiple airbags, electronic stability control, and anti-lock brakes. These features work together to help protect occupants in the event of a collision and assist drivers in maintaining control of the vehicle in challenging driving conditions. Both the Seltos and Kona have received high ratings in crash tests conducted by reputable organizations like the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). These favorable ratings indicate that both SUVs are designed to provide a high level of protection in the event of a crash. The comprehensive safety features and strong crash test performance of both the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona make them safe and reliable choices for drivers and passengers alike, ensuring peace of mind on the road. Both the Seltos and Kona prioritize safety.

Price and Value: Bang for Your Buck

When it comes to the price, the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona are generally competitive within the subcompact SUV segment. The specific pricing will vary depending on the trim level and the options you choose. The Kia Seltos often offers a slightly more affordable starting price compared to the Kona. The Kia Seltos has earned a reputation for providing excellent value for its price. The Hyundai Kona is generally competitively priced within the subcompact SUV market.

However, both SUVs offer a lot of value for the money. The Kia Seltos, often offers a slightly lower starting price point. It comes well-equipped with standard features and offers a variety of trim levels to suit different budgets and preferences. The Seltos is also known for its generous warranty, providing added peace of mind for buyers. The Hyundai Kona is often competitive in terms of pricing. It provides a good balance of features, performance, and value. The Kona is known for its strong resale value, which can help offset the initial purchase cost over time. Both the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Kona provide a range of features and amenities at competitive prices, making them attractive choices for buyers seeking a subcompact SUV. Pricing is a significant factor.

The Verdict: Which SUV Should You Choose?

So, which subcompact SUV reigns supreme? Well, it really depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for: A spacious interior, a more rugged look and a strong warranty, the Kia Seltos is a great choice. If you prefer a sporty driving experience, a more youthful design, and a tech-forward cabin, the Hyundai Kona might be a better fit. Ultimately, the best way to decide is to test drive both SUVs and see which one feels right for you. Happy shopping, guys!