Volkswagen ID.4 vs Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh that included subtle but impactful changes. The revised headlight and grille designs, along with a light strip connecting the now smaller taillight assemblies, gave this SUV a fresh look without significantly altering its overall design. These changes were economical, ensuring the vehicle's price increase was minimal. Test models showcased the striking new “Pluton Blue” paint that enhanced its aesthetic appeal.

Inside, the Seltos offered two new interior color options: “Gentle Brown” and “Midnight Green.” The test model, however, retained the standard black interior. A noteworthy upgrade was the expansive digital panel taking up two-thirds of the dashboard, combining a fully digital instrument panel with a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

The Seltos came in five trims: LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX, each adding layers of features. The base LX included 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, manual front seat adjustments, basic infotainment, and connectivity options. The S trim introduced additional exterior enhancements like fog lights and LED daytime running lights, while the interior gained the larger digital panel, LED cabin lighting, and an upgraded infotainment screen.

The EX trim upped the comfort with features like solar glass and power-adjustable seats, while the X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition and added unique styling elements without some of the EX’s conveniences. The premium SX trim boasted an array of high-end features, including a Bose stereo system. Optional upgrades like the SX Sunroof Package further enhanced the luxury with a power sunroof and ventilated front seats.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 carried a more conservative but timeless design ethos typical of Volkswagen vehicles. The subtle design changes over the years meant the car aged gracefully. For 2024, AWD versions received standard 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim featured a 21-inch design.

The ID.4 lineup consisted of two models: the ID.4 and ID.4 Pro, differentiated by their battery capacities (62 kWh and 82 kWh, respectively). Three trim levels were available: base, S, and S Plus, with the Pro models offering AWD as an option. Prices varied from a $39,735 MSRP for the entry-level trim to $57,055 for the higher-end versions.

The ID.4’s interior received updates in 2024, such as the repositioned transmission shift stalk and revised steering wheel controls. The Pro trims featured a new 12.9-inch touchscreen intended to improve usability. Interior color schemes shifted to Cosmic Black or Galaxy artificial leather upholstery, stepping away from last year’s lighter tones.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came with two engine options. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). It offered both FWD and AWD configurations across different trims, with AWD standard in the base LX.

In contrast, the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine available in the X-Line and SX trims packed a punch with 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, channeled through a new eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous seven-speed. This power increase was significant, especially noticeable during acceleration, despite some turbo lag at lower speeds. The Seltos managed various road surfaces with ease, providing a well-balanced and responsive driving experience. Its 7.3 inches of ground clearance made it versatile for light off-road ventures.

On the other hand, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a new rear electric drive motor for the single-motor Pro models. This motor delivered 282 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, an improvement over the previous model. The base models retained the older motor, providing 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque.

The AWD version of the ID.4 Pro added a front motor, bringing the combined output to 335 horsepower and maintaining the 402 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels, cutting the 0-60 mph time to 4.9 seconds. The new motor and battery options improved the driving range, with the RWD Pro model achieving 291 miles on a full charge and the AWD variant covering 263 miles.

Charging efficiency was another highlight, with Level 2 home charging capabilities and rapid DC fast charging times, reducing the recharging period significantly. The ID.4 provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, particularly in mountainous and urban settings, with commendable regenerative braking and overall driveability.

The 2024 Kia Seltos boasted up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 26.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, sufficient for everyday needs and more. The SX trim offered a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The Seltos’s upright seating position provided excellent headroom and visibility. Both the driver and rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom, a notable achievement for a subcompact SUV. Storage spaces included functional in-door cupholders, though larger bottles might be a tight fit, along with in-door cubby spaces and a central console tray for smaller items. The SX trim’s cargo cover added practicality by doubling as a shelf for lightweight items.

Volkswagen’s ID.4 offered a comfortable and user-friendly interior, with significant updates enhancing its appeal. The transmission selector moved to a more intuitive location, and controls were streamlined for ease of use. The Pro trims benefited from a 12.9-inch touchscreen system that improved overall functionality, making climate controls more accessible and featuring illuminated sliders for volume and temperature.

The ID.4’s seating was highly comfortable, with options for ventilated front seats in warmer climates. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate space and conveniences like USB-C ports, air vents, and folding armrests. The ID.4 provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly more than the Kia Seltos.

Kia’s 2024 Seltos featured a consistent infotainment display across its trims, with the base LX coming with an 8-inch screen and upper trims boasting a 10.25-inch display. Both systems included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The layout was user-friendly, with physical dials and buttons for essential controls, enhancing usability. The upgraded system in higher trims offered a more immersive experience with a larger screen and additional capabilities.

Volkswagen’s standout for 2024 was the new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard on Pro models, aimed at better usability. The system included illuminated touch-sliders for volume and temperature controls, an improved navigation system with battery preconditioning, and easy customization options. The available Harman Kardon premium sound system enhanced the in-car entertainment experience. The ID.4’s voice assistant, Ida, though useful for specific commands, had mixed success with various intuitive requests.

The Kia Seltos came well-equipped with driver assistance features from the base trim, including forward collision avoidance, lane departure warnings, and driver attention alerts. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, smart cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and advanced junction-turning functions for enhanced safety.

Volkswagen’s ID.4 also prioritized safety with a comprehensive post-collision braking system and the standard IQ.Drive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were designed to maintain vehicle control in critical situations. The semi-autonomous parking assist and Memory Parking further enhanced safety and convenience. The ID.4 earned favorable crash test ratings from NHTSA, with partial assessments from IIHS confirming its robust safety credentials.