Kia Seltos vs. Volkswagen Taos

Subcompact crossovers are the new economy car, and brands are furiously vying for the attention of shoppers. The all-new 2022 Volkswagen Taos joins a long list of competitors, including the budget-friendly Kia Seltos.

Which of these two crossovers deserves your dollars? Here's a brief comparison of key specs and features to help you decide which one of these affordable small SUVs is probably worth your money as a shopper.

See a side-by-side comparison of the Kia Seltos & Volkswagen Taos

What the Seltos Gets Right

Kia has built a reputation on features and value, and the Seltos is no exception. The Seltos starts $500 cheaper than the Taos.

Even at that price, the Seltos comes with an impressive kit. An eight-inch touchscreen with smartphone compatibility comes standard, and it feels generous compared to the 6.5-inch screen on a base Taos. One of the Seltos’s best features is its comprehensive warranty, which is good for 5 years or 60,000 miles. VW’s extends only to 4 years/50,000 miles.

The cheapest Seltos LX also comes with standard all-wheel drive, another feature the Taos can’t match. From there, the Seltos lineup includes four more trims, including the 175-horsepower SX Turbo. The range provides options for many buyers, and almost every trim is a good value.

What the Taos Gets Right

The body of the Taos is a couple inches longer than that of the Seltos. Passenger space is nearly identical between the two, but the Taos ekes out a few extra feet of cargo capacity. That’s only true of the front-wheel drive Taos, however — the all-wheel drive version loses some space to its suspension.

In most forms, the Taos has a power advantage as well. VW’s new 1.5-liter turbo engine makes 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Kia Seltos starts with only 132 lb-ft of torque, which makes it feel anemic around town. The Taos also benefits from an automatic transmission, while every Seltos except the SX Turbo is stuck with a CVT.

Finally, the Taos has a slightly more polished interior. Some of the materials feel cheap in the Seltos, and the Taos offers fancy upgrades like ventilated seats. Neither is a luxury vehicle, but the Taos does a good job making passengers comfortable.

A Close Call

These two crossovers offer many of the same virtues, and neither is without their flaws. The Seltos offers excellent value and a varied lineup, but it isn’t as nice to drive. The Taos is more powerful and more polished, but asks more money for fewer features.

Our Verdict: Kia Seltos

The Volkswagen Taos looks like a strong entrant in this class, and buyers who prioritize the driving experience should give it a long look. The Seltos gets our nod thanks to the price gap, which widens further with all-wheel drive in the mix. For most buyers, Kia’s value and warranty are too good to turn down.

Take a closer look at the Kia Seltos »

Take a closer look at the Volkswagen Taos »

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, photos and more!

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