Subaru Ascent vs Kia Seltos
Overview | |
Years produced2019-Present | Years produced2021-Present |
MSRP$34,395 | MSRP$24,490 |
Listings9535 | Listings9564 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Reviews SummaryThe Subaru faithful wanted a replacement for the discontinued three-row Tribeca midsize SUV, and the Ascent answered the call when it went on sale in 2019. In 2023, for its fifth model year, the Ascent got a light refresh with revised styling, updated technology, and a new trim level with plenty of equipment and a trendy blacked-out look. Now, the 2024 Subaru Ascent continues with almost no changes, while several competitors in the segment receive significant updates. Verdict: Can the 2024 Subaru Ascent fend off refreshed rivals in the midsize three-row SUV segment? The Ascent has plenty going for it, from standard all-wheel drive and substantial ground clearance to affordable prices and impressive safety ratings. But it comes across as a little quirky among mainstream choices, which could work in or against its favor. | |
Reviews SummaryThe Kia Seltos was first introduced for the 2021 model year and instantly made waves in the subcompact SUV segment. It was impressively spacious and offered plenty of headroom and legroom, even for second-row occupants. These were novel concepts in this small-crossover segment. The Seltos also delivered plenty of standard features and easy-to-use technology. Three years on, and the Seltos is enjoying its first mid-cycle refresh. Though it’s largely the same Seltos as before, it gains fresh styling as well as updated technology. Such tweaks can go a long way, and automakers endeavor to make unseen changes that contribute to the overall driving experience. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.4L 260 hp H4 | Engine2.0L 146 hp I4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity8 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower260 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower146 hp @ 6200 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway26 | MPG Highway31 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.4L 260 hp H4 | Engine Name2.0L 146 hp I4 |
Torque277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | Torque132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm |
Horsepower260 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower146 hp @ 6200 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway26 | MPG Highway31 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity8 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space17.8 cu ft | Cargo Space26.6 cu ft |
Curb Weight4421 lbs | Curb Weight3108 lbs |
Height71.6 in | Height63.4 in |
Length196.8 in | Length172.6 in |
Width85.7 in | Width70.9 in |
Wheelbase113.8 in | Wheelbase103.5 in |
Maximum Payload1579 lbs | Maximum Payload1104 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity5000 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 2019-Present | 2021-Present |
MSRP | $34,395 | $24,490 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 6.8 out of 10Read full review | 7.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | The Subaru faithful wanted a replacement for the discontinued three-row Tribeca midsize SUV, and the Ascent answered the call when it went on sale in 2019. In 2023, for its fifth model year, the Ascent got a light refresh with revised styling, updated technology, and a new trim level with plenty of equipment and a trendy blacked-out look. Now, the 2024 Subaru Ascent continues with almost no changes, while several competitors in the segment receive significant updates. Verdict: Can the 2024 Subaru Ascent fend off refreshed rivals in the midsize three-row SUV segment? The Ascent has plenty going for it, from standard all-wheel drive and substantial ground clearance to affordable prices and impressive safety ratings. But it comes across as a little quirky among mainstream choices, which could work in or against its favor. | The Kia Seltos was first introduced for the 2021 model year and instantly made waves in the subcompact SUV segment. It was impressively spacious and offered plenty of headroom and legroom, even for second-row occupants. These were novel concepts in this small-crossover segment. The Seltos also delivered plenty of standard features and easy-to-use technology. Three years on, and the Seltos is enjoying its first mid-cycle refresh. Though it’s largely the same Seltos as before, it gains fresh styling as well as updated technology. Such tweaks can go a long way, and automakers endeavor to make unseen changes that contribute to the overall driving experience. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.4L 260 hp H4 | 2.0L 146 hp I4 |
Drive Train | AWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 8 | 5 |
Horsepower | 260 hp @ 5600 rpm | 146 hp @ 6200 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 26 | 31 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.4L 260 hp H4 | 2.0L 146 hp I4 |
Torque | 277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm |
Horsepower | 260 hp @ 5600 rpm | 146 hp @ 6200 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 26 | 31 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 8 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 17.8 cu ft | 26.6 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4421 lbs | 3108 lbs |
Height | 71.6 in | 63.4 in |
Length | 196.8 in | 172.6 in |
Width | 85.7 in | 70.9 in |
Wheelbase | 113.8 in | 103.5 in |
Maximum Payload | 1579 lbs | 1104 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 5000 lbs | |

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.









































