2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Kia Seltos

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. Most trims, except the Seltos S, included standard all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $22,590 to $28,080, excluding a $1,255 destination charge. The Nightfall Edition, our test vehicle, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), and a black grille, among other enhancements. Priced at $28,045, including the destination charge, it presented a stylish yet practical option. The Seltos boasted a good sense of style inside, with contrast-color dashboard panels and metallic accents, though the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, but the purple accent color for the infotainment system was not universally appealing.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured a modern, somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window. Despite its spacious interior, the Highlander appeared smaller from the outside. The XSE test car stood out with its bold red optional leather package, navy blue exterior, unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander offered a range of trims, from the base L to the luxurious Platinum, each adding more features and comfort. The XSE trim, in particular, provided a sporty feel with its 20-inch alloy wheels and dual exhaust tips. The Limited and Platinum trims offered upscale features like heated and ventilated seats, a hands-free power liftgate, and a JBL premium audio system.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the LX, S, and EX trims, producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Nightfall Edition and SX trims featured a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The Seltos provided three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds, though the Seltos' ground clearance was less than some competitors. The suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. Despite these issues, the Seltos offered good grip and was easy to park, though road noise was significant.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Highlander offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and available all-wheel drive (AWD), with a drive-mode button for Sport, Normal, and Eco modes. The V6 engine provided good pickup, especially at highway speeds, with a throaty exhaust note. The Highlander's handling was commendable, with the XSE trim's sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll while maintaining a comfortable ride. The Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds, with a max payload of 1,685 pounds in the FWD L and LE trims.

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 featured a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The interior included cloth upholstery with Sofino simulated leather bolsters, a single-zone automatic climate control system, and heated front seats. Rear seat space was generous, with ample legroom and footroom, though the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos provided 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded, 48.4 cubic feet with the second-row seats in use, and 16 cubic feet with all seats deployed. The Highlander featured quick-release latches for easy seat adjustments and a power liftgate on trims above the base L. The interior included an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, deep cargo pockets, and various storage solutions. The XSE trim featured second-row captain’s chairs, providing a center aisle to the third row, which was spacious for adults, though the third row was best suited for short trips.

The 2022 Kia Seltos expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on the EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX trims, with a Bose premium sound system on the SX. 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 infotainment system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access, though the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The infotainment system featured a straightforward layout with hard buttons for easy navigation. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and a combination of USB and USB-C ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen was available, though it was less intuitive than the base system. Other available features included a digital instrument panel screen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

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 offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the SX trim and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a surround-view monitor, a head-up display, and adaptive headlights. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were active, sometimes overly so, but provided good lane centering.