Compare the2024 Mazda CX-5VS 2024 Kia Seltos

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

Safety

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The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Seltos doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the Seltos.

The CX-5 Turbo Signature has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Seltos only offers a rear monitor.

The CX-5 has a standard blind spot warning system that 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/X-Line/SX offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning.

Both the CX-5 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 available driver alert monitors.

The Mazda CX-5 weighs 421 to 920 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 Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	CX-5	Seltos
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	129
Neck Injury Risk	23%	24%
Leg Forces (l/r)	160/307 lbs.	460/429 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	156	405
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	41%
Neck Compression	86 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 Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	CX-5	Seltos
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	109
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.2 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	170 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	428 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	208	234
Spine Acceleration	65 G’s	70 G’s
Hip Force	524 lbs.	754 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	33 G’s

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Seltos last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Warranty

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

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 CX-5’s reliability 14 points higher than the Seltos.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 3 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (187 vs. 146) and 53 lbs.-ft. more torque (185 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 61 more horsepower (256 vs. 195) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 195) than the Seltos X-Line/SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl. is faster than the Kia Seltos 4 cyl.:

	CX-5	Seltos
Zero to 30 MPH	3.1 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.6 sec	9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.4 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	84 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 (250 HP engine) is faster than the Seltos X-Line/SX 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder:

	CX-5	Seltos
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.6 MPH	90.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the Seltos 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder (26 city/31 hwy vs. 25 city/27 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Seltos doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Seltos (15.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Seltos:

	CX-5	CX-5 Turbo	Seltos	Seltos X-Line/SX
Front Rotors	11.7 inches	12.6 inches	11 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	11.9 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 CX-5 has a standard Brake Assist 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 CX-5 has larger tires than the Seltos (225/65R17 vs. 215/55R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo has standard 19-inch wheels. The Seltos’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Mazda CX-5 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 CX-5 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CX-5 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 CX-5’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Seltos (106.2 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Seltos.

The CX-5 handles at .81 G’s, while the Seltos S pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-5 Carbon Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Seltos S (27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Seltos (7.6 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the Seltos (7.9 vs. 7.3 inches).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Seltos (103.6 vs. 99).

The CX-5 has 1.7 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, 2.5 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Seltos.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Seltos with its rear seat up (30 vs. 26.6 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Seltos doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The CX-5 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Seltos has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CX-5 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo, 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 CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Seltos doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’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 CX-5’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.

The CX-5 has a standard Advanced Keyless Entry and Start that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX offers a Smart Key.

The CX-5’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Seltos’ passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The CX-5’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 CX-5’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 see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium/Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Seltos doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Seltos, and aren’t available on the Seltos LX. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Seltos.

On extremely cold winter days, the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo’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 CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo’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.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Kia Seltos, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Kia Seltos by almost three to one during 2023.

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