Compare the2023 Audi Q3VS 2023 Kia Seltos

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Q3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Seltos doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q3 and Seltos have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Seltos’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Audi Q3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help 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.

The Q3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q3. But it costs extra on the Seltos.

The Q3 Premium Plus has a standard Top View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Seltos only offers a rear monitor.

The Q3 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. Only the Seltos S/EX/Nightfall/SX offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q3 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 Q3 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 and rearview cameras.

The Audi Q3 weighs 599 to 968 pounds more than the Kia Seltos. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Q3	Seltos
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	346	405
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	41%
Neck Compression	83 lbs.	171 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 Audi Q3 is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Q3	Seltos
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	109
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.2 inches
Abdominal Force	95 lbs.	170 lbs.
Hip Force	333 lbs.	428 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	159	234
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	70 G’s
Hip Force	632 lbs.	754 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches

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

Warranty

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the Seltos’ (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Seltos’ engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Q3 has a standard 140-amp alternator. The Seltos’ standard 120-amp alternator and largest (Nightfall/SX) 130-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Q3 has a standard 680-amp battery. The Seltos’ 640-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 3 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 82 more horsepower (228 vs. 146) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (228 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 Audi Q3 is faster than the Kia Seltos 4 cyl.:

	Q3	Seltos
Zero to 30 MPH	3.2 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.9 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	84 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Q3 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Seltos (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Seltos (5). This means the Q3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Seltos every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Seltos:

	Q3	Seltos	Seltos Nightfall/SX
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	10.3 inches	11.2 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	12.2 inches

The Q3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Seltos are solid, not vented.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Q3 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.

The Q3 stops shorter than the Seltos:

	Q3	Seltos
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	128 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q3 has larger standard tires than the Seltos (235/55R18 vs. 215/55R17). The Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Seltos (255/45R19 vs. 235/45R18).

The Q3’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Seltos AWD Nightfall/SX’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q3 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Seltos. The Q3’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Seltos AWD Nightfall/SX.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Audi Q3 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q3’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the Seltos (105.5 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the Seltos SX pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q3 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Seltos S (28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Q3 has 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Seltos.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q3 easier. The Q3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Seltos’ liftover is 29.4 inches.

The Q3’s cargo area is larger than the Seltos’ in almost every dimension:

	Q3	Seltos
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	34”/65”	32.7”/62.4”
Max Width	54”	52.3”
Min Width	39”	41.6”
Height	28”	32.5”

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Q3. The Seltos doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Q3 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Seltos doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Q3 has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Seltos has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Q3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Seltos uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 31% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Q3, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Seltos doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Q3’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 Q3’s 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.

If the windows are left open on the Q3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower 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 Q3’s power window, power lock and power mirror 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 Q3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Seltos’ manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Q3’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Seltos’ standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Q3 Premium Plus has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Seltos doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Q3’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 Q3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Seltos offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Q3’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 Q3 and the Seltos offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q3 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.

Economic Advantages

The Q3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q3 will retain 50.79% to 50.87% of its original price after five years, while the Seltos only retains 49.25% to 49.41%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi Q3 and the Kia Seltos, based on reliability, safety and performance.