2023 Volkswagen ID.4 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. 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 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), a black grille, added body cladding, and robust roof rails, with an MSRP of $28,045, including the destination charge.

Inside, the Seltos displayed a stylish 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 a collection of knobs and matte-black buttons. The infotainment system's purple accent color was a minor drawback. Overall, the Seltos was larger, more useful, more refined, and more powerful than many of its direct rivals, making it easy to forget it competed against the Toyota Corolla Cross rather than the Toyota RAV4.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors, along with a rear VW logo that lit up, were also introduced. The ID.4, based on VW’s MEB platform, was designed specifically for EVs, offering built-in modularity to support various models. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, including a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers were standard for 2023.

The ID.4's interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console, a better spot for a phone, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats. The ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also provided some towing capability, with a quoted towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque for the LX, S, and EX trims, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Nightfall Edition and SX trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 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, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, and Smart. The AWD system had a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds, and ground clearance measured 7.3 inches.

The Seltos Nightfall Edition returned 27 mpg in combined driving during testing. The suspension tuning was the least appealing aspect, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions on uneven pavement and feeling bouncy on undulating roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos felt lively in urban environments, with excellent outward visibility and easy parking. The steering was secure on the highway, but not engaging or communicative. Wind noise and road roar were significant on the highway, but the Seltos remained a better small crossover SUV than many rivals.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, with RWD only. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus trims retained the 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models offered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling.

The ID.4's AWD provided acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like the VW Golf GTI and Golf R, but handling was less engaging due to body roll. Regenerative braking was available, but VW did not pursue one-pedal driving, allowing the ID.4 to coast in its default regen setting. The ID.4 was comfortable and refined, making it suitable for long drives, but it lacked the handling prowess for twisty roads.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy entry and exit. The Nightfall Edition featured a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, cloth upholstery with Sofino simulated leather bolsters, and heated front seats. The rear seat provided ample legroom and footroom, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a center armrest with cupholders. Cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The ID.4 also provided some towing capability, with a quoted towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. Interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console, a better spot for a phone, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard on the EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX trims, with Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system was intuitive to use, with volume and tuning knobs and physical buttons for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating, and a native conversational voice recognition system was missing.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster and natural-language voice recognition were also standard. The haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, but the voice recognition system made them redundant in most situations. The ID.Light feature provided visual cues for navigation and drive modes.

The 2022 Kia Seltos included forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating. Standard driver-assist features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. The ID.4 also added standard Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system for 2023.