Compare the2025 Audi Q3VS 2025 Kia Seltos

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
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 and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Q3 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 Q3 has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Assist and Automatic Brake Activation automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning.

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 539 to 976 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 engines use 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.

Engine

The Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (184 vs. 146) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Q3 40 TFSI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 195) than the Seltos X-Line/SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (228 vs. 195) and 56 lbs.-ft. more torque (251 vs. 195) than the Seltos X-Line/SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Q3 45 TFSI 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

Regardless of its engine, the Q3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Kia only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Seltos 2.0.

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Q3	Seltos	Seltos AWD
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 X-Line/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 X-Line/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.

The Q3 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Q3 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 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.

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.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Q3, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Seltos doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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/X-Line/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.

Both the Audi Q3 and Kia Seltos offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Q3 offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Seltos’ foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

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.

Recommendations

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

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