Compare the2022 Toyota Corolla CrossVS 2021 Kia Seltos

The Toyota Corolla Cross has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Corolla Cross 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, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Corolla Cross’ 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Seltos runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Cross for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Seltos.

There are over 62 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Cross’ warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Kia is ranked 15th.

The Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 23 more horsepower (169 vs. 146) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (150 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Cross gets better fuel mileage than the Seltos:

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

The Corolla Cross has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Corolla Cross flat and controlled during cornering. The Seltos 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For greater off-road capability the Corolla Cross has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Seltos (8.1 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Corolla Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Corolla Cross has 1.5 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear headroom than the Seltos.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Corolla Cross offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Seltos doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Corolla Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Seltos has no towing capacity.

The Corolla Cross’ 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 Corolla Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Seltos S/EX/SX.

The Corolla Cross XLE’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 Corolla Cross and the Seltos offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Cross has standard 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.

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Kia Seltos isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.