Compare the2022 Volkswagen TaosVS 2021 Kia Seltos

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Taos deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Taos’ side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Seltos’ airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Taos has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Seltos doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Taos and the Seltos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Taos’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Seltos’ (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Taos for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Seltos.

The Taos’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 12 more horsepower (158 vs. 146) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Taos 4Motion 7-speed Auto gets better fuel mileage than the Seltos S 1.6T/SX AWD Auto turbo 4 cyl. (25 city/32 hwy vs. 25 city/30 hwy).

The Taos AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Seltos (14.5 vs. 13.2 gallons).

For better stopping power the Taos’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Seltos:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Taos SEL 4Motion has standard 19-inch wheels. The Seltos’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Taos has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Seltos doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Taos’ wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the Seltos (105.9 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

The Taos has .7 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Seltos.

The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Seltos with its rear seat up (27.9 vs. 26.6 cubic feet). The Taos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Seltos with its rear seat folded (65.9 vs. 62.8 cubic feet).

The Taos’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Seltos has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Taos’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Seltos’ standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

The Taos’ optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Seltos’ manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Taos to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Seltos doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Taos SEL has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Seltos doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Taos SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Taos SEL AWD keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Seltos doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Taos’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Seltos doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Taos SEL’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Seltos doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Taos and the Seltos offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Taos offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Seltos S/EX/SX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.