Compare the2024 Kia SeltosVS 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Seltos’ standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Seltos and Outlander Sport have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander Sport’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Seltos SX has standard 911 Connect, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Seltos and the Outlander Sport 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, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights and blind spot warning systems.

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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	Seltos	Outlander Sport
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	129	208
Neck Injury Risk	24%	29%
Neck Stress	237 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	90 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	41%	43%
Neck Stress	127 lbs.	221 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	144/44 lbs.	394/494 lbs.

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

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Kia Seltos is safer than the Outlander Sport:

	Seltos	Outlander Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	1 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	28 cm	28 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	1.1/.1 kN	3.43/.93 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Tibia index R/L	.43/.5	.68/.36

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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	Seltos	Outlander Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	109	163
Hip Force	428 lbs.	518 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	234	349
Hip Force	754 lbs.	794 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	17 inches
HIC	225	365
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	433 lbs.	807 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Seltos is 1.8% to 2.2% less likely to roll over than the Outlander Sport.

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, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Seltos the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 165 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander Sport is not a “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

There are over 2 times as many Kia dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much 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 150-amp alternator. The Outlander Sport’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi 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 Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Seltos X-Line/SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (195 vs. 168) and 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 167) than the Outlander Sport SEL’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Seltos 4 cyl. is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	Seltos	Outlander Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	10.1 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85.5 MPH	78.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the Outlander Sport:

			MPG
Seltos
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/34 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/31 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/27 hwy
Outlander Sport
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Seltos 2.0’s 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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Seltos X-Line/SX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Outlander Sport:

	Seltos X-Line/SX	Outlander Sport
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.6 inches

The Seltos stops much shorter than the Outlander Sport:

	Seltos	Outlander Sport
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Seltos AWD X-Line/SX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander Sport (235/45R18 vs. 225/55R18).

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 Outlander Sport S’ standard 70 series tires. The Seltos AWD X-Line/SX’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/SEL’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Seltos has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Outlander Sport S.

Suspension and Handling

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

The Seltos SX handles at .84 G’s, while the Outlander Sport SE pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Seltos S AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Outlander Sport SE (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

Passenger Space

The Seltos has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear hip room than the Outlander Sport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The Outlander Sport’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander Sport with its rear seat up (26.6 vs. 21.7 cubic feet). The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander Sport with its rear seat folded (62.8 vs. 49.5 cubic feet).

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

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Seltos and the Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Outlander Sport’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Seltos’ standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Seltos has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Outlander Sport only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the Seltos’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Outlander Sport’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Seltos EX/SX has standard extendable sun visors. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Seltos SX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Seltos SX has a standard Smart Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Seltos owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Seltos will cost $3215 to $8405 less than the Outlander Sport over a five-year period.

The Seltos will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Seltos will retain 57.1% to 64.07% of its original price after five years, while the Outlander Sport only retains 47.39% to 50.33%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Kia Seltos will be $8306 to $10189 less than for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Seltos, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport isn't recommended.

The Kia Seltos outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport by almost four to one during 2023.