Nissan Qashqai vs. Kia Seltos: Our Small SUV Pick

Nissan opportunely joined the compact SUV section in 2007 with the Qashqai, a compact crossover SUV named after nomadic tribes of Iran. The Qashqai permitted the Japanese automotive powerhouse to be just one pioneer in the newly created section of tiny SUVs. Soon after 15 years and over 3 million units marketed, the Qashqai carries on to be a benchmark but now with a plethora of competitors threaten to steal its area in this section.

We are chatting about the Korean automaker KIA, which at last fronted up the compact SUV playground with their to start with generation Seltos in 2019. With a title taken from the son of Hercules, this subcompact crossover arrived as an remarkable proposal with an appealing pack of goodies. In 2022, the Seltos even now delivers outstanding benefit for funds and an participating powertrain to butt heads with just one of its major rivals like the Qashqai and see who’s in the little SUV phase.

Nissan Qashqai

Price tag: $25,098 CAD / 33,890 AUD / $24,960 USD (Nissan Rogue Activity)

Via Autopista

The recent technology of the Qashqai capabilities ProPILOT electrification and semi-autonomous driving to carve out a market for by itself as the minor brother of the X-Trail.

The Ariya, Nissan’s electric SUV, obviously impressed its design. Nonetheless, with substantially a lot more compact proportions, it actions 4.42 meters extended. The front conclusion gets boomerang headlamps, a sharp V-Movement grille, and vertical styling lines in the fascia. The rear keeps a far more conservative type primarily based on the similar DNA of the Qashqai it replaces.

There are also necessary novelties in the mechanical division, with an give of electrified engines and with out diesel. Rather, the Japanese brand has accompanied the only gasoline engine with an unprecedented e-Electricity hybrid propulsion method for the top trim comprising an electrical motor with a standard combustion engine (petrol). This configuration performs as a generator to cost the batteries that offer energy to the electric motor, the only a person in demand of only shifting the vehicle.

A 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline motor powers the rest of the range in two readily available outputs: 140 horsepower–available only with a 6-velocity guide transmission–and 158 horsepower, with Xtronic automatic transmission and both FWD or AWD. The Nissan Qashqai has bought nicely due to the fact its release.

Through Autobild

Nissan has extensively upgraded this block to include things like the 12V moderate hybrid method. In addition, it incorporates a separate lithium battery installed beneath the ground and a belt-driven generator to gather braking vitality, offering torque guidance during acceleration.

The Qashqai is primarily based on the new CMF-C system, shared with other models in the group, this sort of as the Sentra, the Renault Mégane, or the Mitsubishi Outlander. This highly developed architecture decreases weight while improving upon its rigidity, which interprets into far better experience high quality and great protection for passengers.

This car is rebranded for United states of america markets as the Nissan Rogue Sport.

For other markets like Canada, the Qashqai is offered with a 2. inline-four motor creating 141 horsepower and 147 lb.-ft. of torque. The Canadian Qashqai options Nissan Xtronic CVT® (Constantly Variable Transmission). The 1.3-liter 4-cylinder gasoline motor with gentle-hybrid help in 140 hp achieves 44.5 mpg.

By using Best Gear

Aesthetically, the Qashqai gained a nicely-deserved restyling, which introduced back again the swag it experienced been getting rid of as the past generation was demonstrating symptoms of ageing. The new design and style is much a lot more purposeful, with sharper lines that produce a clear intention of the brand to generate more futuristic silhouettes.

The new Qashqai gives a spacious interior for 5 travellers with a metropolis-welcoming exterior for effortless maneuverability but continue to not as roomy or adaptable as some rivals. In addition, it has a generous boot area of 648 cu. ft. (504 L), excluding baggage boards.

According to Whatcar.com, the Nissan Qashqai has trapped with the profitable mix of an elevated driving placement, fashionable nonetheless fairly rugged seems, and down-to-earth managing expenses although also providing potential buyers lots of trims solutions – from entry-degree Visia appropriate up to luxurious Tekna+.

Drive.com states the new 2022 Nissan Qashqai crossover is smarter, safer, and far better equipped than its predecessor.

Professionals: Refined design inside of and out, packed with innovative engineering, significant degree of standard basic safety functions.

Negatives: However relies on a CVT. Other rivals supply much better seating flexibility, underwhelming overall performance.

Through Kia

Kia Seltos

Value: $22,590 USD / 23,595 CAD / 26,700 AUD

The Kia Seltos is just one of the most latest types of the South Korean brand, arriving in 2019 to compete in the subcompact SUV phase. Hunting from the outside the house, Seltos features a straightforward but appealing structure, with a lot of straight strains ending in the contrasting grille at the front. The Kia Seltos GT Line 2022 is a design that has set the typical in its phase for its roomy inside and terrific technological give.

One of the most essential aspects of the KIA Seltos 2022 is less than the hood. The GT Line variation comes with a 1.4-liter turbo motor, able of making 138 hp and 179 lb-ft, more than enough to transfer with relieve. It does not battle to retain a good rate on the highway, nor does it need to force the engine too really hard to access highway speeds. Some turbo lag forces you to sink your foot a tiny far more on the accelerator when commencing, but it is not a hold off that hinders driving.

Through LA Situations

The dual-clutch computerized transmission mitigates the outcome of turbo lag. It does a great work squeezing the greatest performance out of the engine devoid of impacting gas overall economy also significantly. Nevertheless, in terms of driving manners, the Kia Seltos 2022 points much far more to comfort than to sportiness.

Gasoline economic climate for the Seltos is an EPA-believed score of 27/31 mpg city/highway. The far more powerful 175-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder products have a a little bit lessen fuel economy score of 25/30 mpg.

The suspension has a extremely delicate contact, which transmits robustness when heading as a result of potholes and does not get to launch when tracing curves on the street. Having said that, there is a marked system roll.

The 2022 Kia Seltos GT Line has a easy, spacious, and functional cabin having said that, this does not suggest it lacks practicality. On the contrary, the inside offers adequate comfort and home for five men and women and a boot space of 15.3 cu. ft. (433 liters). At the similar time, this variation boasts a particular sporty air by integrating distinctive options these kinds of as GT Line sports bucket seats.

By using CNET

At the stop of the working day, the 2022 KIA Seltos is a really balanced SUV in dealing with. Its engine can make it agile, while the chassis pursues the comfort of an SUV geared toward relatives and city mobility.

Car and Driver say the Seltos carves out a compact niche and satisfies drivers with a charming chassis and a comfortable cabin.

U.S. Information describes the Kia Seltos as just one of the roomiest and most gas-successful subcompact SUVs about, and it provides good managing, but its powertrains depart place for advancement.

Pros: Upscale interior products and layout, compelling powertrain, substantial level of consolation gear.

Drawbacks: Unimpressive handling, not a large amount of driving aids, it doesn’t provide an electrified edition.

Verdict

Though the Kia Seltos has turn into a serious contender in the small SUV section, it falls short pertaining to technological innovation and effectiveness and not providing a version with some level of electrification.

However, many thanks to its boxy fantastic appears, realistic proportions, hardy presentation, decent functionality, enough highway clearance, thoughtful devices degrees, and over-all benefit for income, the Seltos shapes up as a handsome and likable overachiever of the tiny SUV established.

On the other hand, the now veteran Qashqai carries on to be a benchmark in the little SUV segment. It continues to be one particular of the most compelling versions in its group. The restyling that Nissan gave to the new generation Qashqai and the incorporation of a delicate hybrid powertrain make it the winner of this showdown, but not by substantially variation.

Levels of competition in the compact SUV phase is acquiring additional exciting and fiercer 12 months right after 12 months, we see models that threaten the throne of the forerunner of the segment.