The past couple of years have seen several models appear in the subcompact SUV segment. At Kia, the Seltos made a very good impression in its debut, mainly because of its styling and great versatility.
At Volkswagen, it's the Taos that made its debut, coming in under the Tiguan in the German manufacturer's lineup.
When you compare the two, it's obvious that you get more out of one than the other. Here's why the 2022 Kia Seltos is a more complete product than the 2022 Volkswagen Taos.
Design
With Kia, you get a product with character. The styling is original, fashionable and the color palette is inviting. Kia isn't trapped in a signature, image that it has to replicate, like Volkswagen. The Taos is not ugly, but it looks like the Tiguan, the Atlas, in short, all the other models of the brand.
We have this distinction at Kia. And this reality also applies on board. Volkswagen's presentation is austere, while Kia's is lively and dynamic. We could also add that the quality of materials is better at Kia. There's a lot of cheap plastic on board the Taos. Compare and you'll see.
Cargo volume
Even though we're dealing with subcompact SUVs, cargo space is still an important selling point for any buyer. The two models we're interested in do well in this regard, but once again, the Kia Seltos offers a little more.
If you take the four-wheel-drive versions on either side, you'll find that behind the second row seats, you'll have 752 liters of cargo space, compared to 705 litres for the Seltos. And with the second seat down, it's 1,778 liters versus 1,705. It's a close battle, but the advantage is once again Kia's.
Two engines
Volkswagen has to make do with a single engine, a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder that offers 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The latter does the job, but if you want a little more performance, the offer falls flat.
With the Seltos, there are two engines waiting for you. First, a 2.0-litre, naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine offering 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. And for more performance, the SX version is powered by a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine, this time capable of 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
Volkswagen gives you a compromise. Kia gives you a choice.
And we could add to that the great comfort offered by the Seltos, a reference in the category. Take the time to come and discover the model at the dealership, you'll see how much it offers everything you want.
