Nissan Qashqai vs. Kia Seltos: Our Small SUV Pick

Nissan opportunely joined the compact SUV segment in 2007 with the Qashqai, a compact crossover SUV named soon after nomadic tribes of Iran. The Qashqai authorized the Japanese automotive powerhouse to be just one pioneer in the newly designed phase of modest SUVs. Right after 15 yrs and around 3 million units offered, the Qashqai continues to be a benchmark but now with a myriad of competitors threaten to steal its spot in this phase.

We are talking about the Korean automaker KIA, which lastly fronted up the little SUV playground with their initial generation Seltos in 2019. With a identify taken from the son of Hercules, this subcompact crossover arrived as an interesting proposal with an attractive pack of goodies. In 2022, the Seltos still features excellent benefit for income and an participating powertrain to butt heads with 1 of its big rivals like the Qashqai and see who’s in the small SUV section.

Nissan Qashqai

Cost: $25,098 CAD / 33,890 AUD / $24,960 USD (Nissan Rogue Activity)

Via Autopista

The recent generation of the Qashqai options ProPILOT electrification and semi-autonomous driving to carve out a area of interest for itself as the little brother of the X-Trail.

The Ariya, Nissan’s electrical SUV, obviously inspired its design and style. Nonetheless, with noticeably additional compact proportions, it steps 4.42 meters very long. The entrance conclusion gets boomerang headlamps, a sharp V-Motion grille, and vertical styling lines in the fascia. The rear retains a extra conservative fashion based on the same DNA of the Qashqai it replaces.

There are also crucial novelties in the mechanical department, with an present of electrified engines and without diesel. Instead, the Japanese brand has accompanied the only gasoline engine with an unparalleled e-Electricity hybrid propulsion process for the top rated trim comprising an electric powered motor with a conventional combustion motor (petrol). This configuration works as a generator to charge the batteries that provide electricity to the electrical motor, the only a person in charge of only moving the motor vehicle.

A 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline motor powers the rest of the vary in two obtainable outputs: 140 horsepower–available only with a 6-pace manual transmission–and 158 horsepower, with Xtronic automated transmission and both FWD or AWD. The Nissan Qashqai has marketed well considering the fact that its launch.

Via Autobild

Nissan has thoroughly upgraded this block to involve the 12V delicate hybrid program. In addition, it incorporates a separate lithium battery set up below the flooring and a belt-pushed generator to acquire braking vitality, offering torque assistance for the duration of acceleration.

The Qashqai is centered on the new CMF-C system, shared with other products in the team, such as the Sentra, the Renault Mégane, or the Mitsubishi Outlander. This sophisticated architecture lowers body weight though bettering its rigidity, which translates into better ride top quality and fantastic basic safety for passengers.

This car is rebranded for United states markets as the Nissan Rogue Activity.

For other marketplaces like Canada, the Qashqai is offered with a 2. inline-four motor building 141 horsepower and 147 lb.-ft. of torque. The Canadian Qashqai attributes Nissan Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission). The 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline motor with mild-hybrid assistance in 140 hp achieves 44.5 mpg.

Via Top rated Gear

Aesthetically, the Qashqai acquired a very well-deserved restyling, which brought back the swag it experienced been getting rid of as the past generation was exhibiting signals of growing older. The new style is significantly far more purposeful, with sharper lines that deliver a apparent intention of the brand to generate far more futuristic silhouettes.

The new Qashqai provides a roomy interior for five travellers with a city-friendly exterior for quick maneuverability but however not as roomy or adaptable as some rivals. Additionally, it has a generous boot area of 648 cu. ft. (504 L), excluding luggage boards.

According to Whatcar.com, the Nissan Qashqai has caught with the profitable blend of an elevated driving posture, elegant nevertheless reasonably rugged appears to be like, and down-to-earth working expenditures even though also providing purchasers a great deal of trims selections – from entry-level Visia ideal up to lavish Tekna+.

Travel.com claims the new 2022 Nissan Qashqai crossover is smarter, safer, and far better equipped than its predecessor.

Professionals: Innovative style inside of and out, packed with advanced technologies, large degree of typical protection features.

Negatives: However relies on a CVT. Other rivals supply much better seating flexibility, underwhelming effectiveness.

Through Kia

Kia Seltos

Price tag: $22,590 USD / 23,595 CAD / 26,700 AUD

The Kia Seltos is 1 of the most modern products of the South Korean brand, arriving in 2019 to compete in the subcompact SUV phase. Seeking from the outside the house, Seltos characteristics a easy nonetheless eye-catching layout, with lots of straight lines ending in the contrasting grille at the front. The Kia Seltos GT Line 2022 is a design that has set the common inside its segment for its roomy inside and terrific technological offer you.

One particular of the most very important facets of the KIA Seltos 2022 is beneath the hood. The GT Line edition arrives with a 1.4-liter turbo engine, capable of making 138 hp and 179 lb-ft, more than enough to shift with ease. It doesn’t struggle to retain a great speed on the highway, nor does it will need to force the engine much too tough to get to freeway speeds. Some turbo lag forces you to sink your foot a tiny extra on the accelerator when beginning, but it is not a delay that hinders driving.

By using LA Moments

The dual-clutch computerized transmission mitigates the impact of turbo lag. It does a wonderful job squeezing the greatest performance out of the engine without the need of influencing fuel overall economy way too significantly. Nonetheless, in phrases of driving manners, the Kia Seltos 2022 details significantly more to comfort and ease than to sportiness.

Gasoline economic climate for the Seltos is an EPA-believed rating of 27/31 mpg metropolis/freeway. The extra potent 175-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder designs have a a bit decreased gas economic system rating of 25/30 mpg.

The suspension has a pretty smooth contact, which transmits robustness when likely via potholes and does not get to launch when tracing curves on the road. On the other hand, there is a marked physique roll.

The 2022 Kia Seltos GT Line has a simple, roomy, and practical cabin on the other hand, this does not imply it lacks practicality. On the opposite, the interior gives ample convenience and room for five folks and a boot house of 15.3 cu. ft. (433 liters). At the very same time, this version features a selected sporty air by integrating special attributes this sort of as GT Line sports bucket seats.

By means of CNET

At the conclusion of the day, the 2022 KIA Seltos is a rather well balanced SUV in dealing with. Its motor would make it agile, even though the chassis pursues the consolation of an SUV geared towards relatives and city mobility.

Automobile and Driver say the Seltos carves out a little market and satisfies drivers with a charming chassis and a at ease cabin.

U.S. Information describes the Kia Seltos as 1 of the roomiest and most gasoline-economical subcompact SUVs all-around, and it presents decent managing, but its powertrains depart area for improvement.

Professionals: Upscale interior materials and design and style, persuasive powertrain, substantial stage of convenience equipment.

Disadvantages: Unimpressive dealing with, not a good deal of driving aids, it does not give an electrified variation.

Verdict

Although the Kia Seltos has develop into a significant contender in the modest SUV segment, it falls brief regarding technologies and general performance and not presenting a edition with some stage of electrification.

However, many thanks to its boxy excellent appears, realistic proportions, hardy presentation, respectable effectiveness, ample road clearance, thoughtful equipment concentrations, and total price for dollars, the Seltos designs up as a handsome and likable overachiever of the small SUV set.

On the other hand, the previously veteran Qashqai carries on to be a benchmark in the tiny SUV section. It continues to be just one of the most compelling products in its group. The restyling that Nissan gave to the new era Qashqai and the incorporation of a gentle hybrid powertrain make it the winner of this showdown, but not by a lot variance.

Levels of competition in the compact SUV segment is having a lot more fascinating and fiercer yr immediately after 12 months, we see models that threaten the throne of the forerunner of the section.