2022 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering five trim levels: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. All trims except the Seltos S included standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Prices at the start of the model year ranged from $22,590 to $28,080, excluding the $1,255 destination charge. The test vehicle for this review was the 2022 Kia Seltos Nightfall Edition, featuring matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a black grille, added body cladding, and robust roof rails. The MSRP for this model was $28,045, including the destination charge.

The Seltos had an appealing design, though the headlights beneath the wide, horizontal running lights were not favored. The Nightfall Edition’s intricate wheels were appealing but barely visible due to their matte finish. Inside, the Seltos showcased a stylish interior with a contrast-color dashboard panel, exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. However, the abundance of shiny hard plastic made the interior look cheap, despite excellent build quality. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs for commonly adjusted features and matte-black buttons with clear markings. The purple accent color for the infotainment system was not widely appreciated.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated for this review, was available in Black Onyx, Starfire Pearl, or Nori Green Pearl. The Black Line treatment removed almost all chrome from the GX’s exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. However, it took less than 24 hours for a windy afternoon to coat the Lexus with a layer of brown dust, making it look drab and old. The GX’s design appeared dated, resembling the first-generation 2002 GX 470, despite the signature Lexus spindle grille, running lights, and triple-beam LED headlights. The interior, though similar in theme to the original GX, did not look as ancient.

The cabin’s quality was commendable, with smooth, silky refinement and quietness, except for the faint roar of the standard V8 engine. The 2022 Lexus GX 460 was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, including destination charges. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the GX 460 Premium, started at $60,535.

The 2022 Kia Seltos LX, S, and EX featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The LX and EX included standard AWD, while the Seltos S offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and AWD. The Nightfall Edition and SX trims had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo-DCT combination made the Seltos more engaging to drive, despite some quirks.

The Seltos offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes. Smart mode balanced fuel efficiency with responsiveness but was unpredictable and slow to respond. Sport mode quickened the powertrain’s pulse but sometimes struggled to find the right gear. The AWD system had a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds, and the Seltos had a ground clearance of 7.3 inches. The Seltos Nightfall Edition returned 27 mpg in combined driving during the test. However, the suspension tuning was the least appealing aspect, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions and feeling bouncy on uneven roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos was lively in urban environments and easy to park, with good outward visibility and a secure steering feel on the highway.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain contributed to a 7.8-second run to 60 mph and a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The GX had a six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, sending 40 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels in normal driving conditions.

The GX’s drag coefficient was 0.35, contributing to an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The test vehicle returned 16.8 mpg during the evaluation. The GX’s Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) maximized wheel articulation off-road while alleviating excessive body motions, making the GX stable and secure. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal were less appealing. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, skid plates, improved drivetrain cooling, and monitoring cameras.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The Nightfall Edition had a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, providing a comfortable driving position. The front passenger’s seat was not height-adjustable but offered proper leg support. The Nightfall Edition featured cloth upholstery with Sofino simulated leather bolsters, single-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. However, the upper door panel trim was hard plastic, unkind to elbows.

The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous legroom and footroom. The Nightfall Edition included rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a center armrest with cupholders. However, the seatback angle was slightly too reclined. The Seltos offered decent storage space, including a smartphone shelf, and cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat with clear outward visibility. The GX’s tall height, narrow width, and short length made it easy to maneuver in various situations, though the slow steering required extra effort. The test vehicle’s seats were comfortable, with interior padding in appropriate places. The GX featured physical controls, clearly labeled in white on a matte-black background, though the placement of the stereo and off-roading controls was confusing.

The Black Line Special Edition had NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated, with triple-zone automatic climate control. However, entering the rear seat was tricky due to narrow door openings. The third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults, with limited rear crush space. The GX’s cargo space was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 46.7 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second-row seat folded. The side-swinging tailgate added to the loading hassle.

For 2022, Kia expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system to the S trim level, making it standard on the EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX trims. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto requiring a cable connection. The standard 8-inch touchscreen in the LX and S trims offered wireless smartphone connectivity. The infotainment system was intuitive, with volume and tuning knobs and physical buttons for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating without an active subscription to connected services.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface (RTI) touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, navigation, and a CD player. The Lexus app, smartwatch compatibility, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot, were also available. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was optional. The stereo controls were confusingly placed below the off-roading controls, with shallow and smooth knobs that were harder to grasp. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Seltos EX added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX included adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist. The connected services platform offered safety-related functions like 911 Connect and programmable alerts for parents of teen drivers. The Seltos SX received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, while other versions did not qualify due to inferior headlight performance. The NHTSA gave the Seltos an overall rating of four stars.

The 2022 Lexus GX, structurally a teenager, lacked crash-test ratings. The GX featured Lexus Safety System+, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, the GX lacked some modern safety technologies available in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The absence of these technologies contributed to a favorable driving experience during the evaluation.