Compare the2023 Kia SeltosVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Seltos are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Seltos S Turbo/EX/SX has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Seltos’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Compared to metal, the Seltos’ plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-3 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Seltos and the CX-3 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, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Seltos is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

	Seltos	CX-3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	129	163
Neck Injury Risk	24%	27%
Neck Stress	237 lbs.	334 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Seltos is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

	Seltos	CX-3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	109	183
Abdominal Force	170 lbs.	199 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	234	241
Spine Acceleration	70 G’s	85 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	225	287
Hip Force	433 lbs.	629 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Seltos its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CX-3 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The Seltos comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Seltos 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-3 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 42 percent more Kia dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Seltos’ warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Seltos has a standard 120-amp alternator (130-amp - Seltos Nightfall/SX). The CX-3’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 12th.

Engine

The Seltos Nightfall/SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (175 vs. 148) and 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Seltos is faster than the Mazda CX-3:

	Seltos 4 cyl.	Seltos Nightfall/SX	CX-3
Zero to 60 MPH	9 sec	6.9 sec	9.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.5 sec	n/a	5.9 sec
Quarter Mile	17.1 sec	15.4 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	91.2 MPH	82.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder FWD gets better fuel mileage than the CX-3 FWD (29 city/35 hwy vs. 29 city/34 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Seltos’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Seltos has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Kia Seltos Nightfall/SX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-3.

The Seltos has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Seltos offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Seltos Nightfall/SX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

	Seltos Nightfall/SX	CX-3	CX-3 AWD
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	11.1 inches	11.1 inches

The Seltos stops much shorter than the CX-3:

	Seltos	CX-3
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	181 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Seltos AWD Nightfall/SX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-3 (235/45R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The Seltos’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s standard 60 series tires. The Seltos AWD Nightfall/SX’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Seltos has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3. The Seltos AWD Nightfall/SX has standard 18-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Seltos AWD has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-3 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Seltos has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Seltos AWD has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Seltos AWD flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Seltos’ wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the CX-3 (103.5 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Seltos is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-3.

The Seltos SX handles at .84 G’s, while the CX-3 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Seltos S AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-3 AWD (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Seltos has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (7.3 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Seltos to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Seltos has 11.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (99 vs. 87.6).

The Seltos has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear legroom, 3.8 inches more rear hip room and 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The CX-3’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (26.6 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (62.8 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Seltos easier. The Seltos’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the CX-3’s liftover is 30.6 inches.

The Seltos’ cargo area is larger than the CX-3’s in every dimension:

	Seltos	CX-3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	32.7”/62.4”	30.9”/58”
Max Width	52.3”	n/a
Min Width	41.6”	39.4”
Height	32.5”	26.6”

Ergonomics

The Seltos S/EX/SX has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the Seltos and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Seltos is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Smart Key standard on the Seltos S/EX/Nightfall/SX allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The Seltos’ driver power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-3’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Seltos’ available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the CX-3’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The Seltos S/EX/Nightfall/SX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Seltos (except LX) offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

Both the Seltos and the CX-3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Seltos S/EX/Nightfall/SX has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-3 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Seltos EX/SX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The CX-3 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

The Kia Seltos outsold the Mazda CX-3 by over 9 to one during the 2021 model year.