Compare the2023 Hyundai Tucson HybridVS 2023 Kia Seltos

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Tucson Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Seltos.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited has a standard Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Seltos only offers a rear monitor.

The Tucson Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the Seltos S/EX/Nightfall/SX offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tucson Hybrid has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Seltos S/EX/Nightfall/SX has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Tucson Hybrid and the Seltos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and driver alert monitors.

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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Seltos is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

The Tucson Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Seltos’ (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Seltos.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Tucson Hybrid’s reliability 79 points higher than the Seltos.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 9 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The Tucson Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (226 vs. 146) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Tucson Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 51 more horsepower (226 vs. 175) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 195) than the Seltos Nightfall/SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is faster than the Kia Seltos 4 cyl.:

	Tucson Hybrid	Seltos
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.4 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	84 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Tucson Hybrid gets better mileage than the Seltos:

			MPG
Tucson Hybrid
	AWD	Blue 1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/38 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/36 hwy
Seltos
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/31 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Tucson Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Seltos doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Seltos (5). This means the Tucson Hybrid produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Seltos every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Tucson Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Seltos:

	Tucson Hybrid	Seltos	Seltos Nightfall/SX
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	10.3 inches	11.2 inches

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Tucson Hybrid has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tucson Hybrid has larger tires than the Seltos (235/65R17 vs. 215/55R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Hybrid SEL/Limited has standard 19-inch wheels. The Seltos’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 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 Seltos 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Hybrid’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the Seltos (108.5 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Hybrid is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Seltos.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited handles at .82 G’s, while the Seltos S pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Seltos S (27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Seltos (8.3 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Tucson Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Tucson Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Seltos doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Tucson Hybrid Limited is quieter than the Seltos SX:

	Tucson Hybrid	Seltos
Full-Throttle	70 dB	83 dB

Passenger Space

The Tucson Hybrid has 8.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Seltos (107.9 vs. 99).

The Tucson Hybrid has .1 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.1 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Seltos.

Cargo Capacity

The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Seltos with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 26.6 cubic feet). The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Seltos with its rear seat folded (74.5 vs. 62.8 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Seltos doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tucson Hybrid SEL Convenience/Limited’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson Hybrid’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Seltos doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Payload and Towing

The Tucson Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Seltos has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Seltos doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson Hybrid has a higher standard payload capacity than the Seltos (925 vs. 860 lbs.).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Tucson Hybrid Limited, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Seltos doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Seltos doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Tucson Hybrid’s 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 Tucson Hybrid’s front power windows 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.

On a hot day the Tucson Hybrid’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Seltos can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tucson Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Seltos’ passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s standard 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.

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

The Tucson Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Seltos, and aren’t available on the Seltos LX. The Tucson Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Seltos.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Hybrid Limited 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 Tucson Hybrid Limited’s standard 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 Tucson Hybrid’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 Tucson Hybrid and the Seltos offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Seltos doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Seltos doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Kia Seltos isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tucson Hybrid third among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Seltos isn’t in the top three.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Kia Seltos by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.