2022 Kia Seltos vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of trims in Canada, including the LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. The Seltos, except for the LX, came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $23,595 to $33,195, excluding the $1,850 destination charge. The U.S. model tested, the Nightfall Edition, was akin to the top SX grade, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos was a visually appealing small SUV, though the headlights were not universally liked. Inside, it boasted a stylish design with exposed stitching and metallic accents, but the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall quality. The controls were logically arranged, though the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not a popular choice.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, tested in Santa Barbara, California, included the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid versions. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch alloy wheels, looked identical to the standard RX 350, lacking any hybrid-specific badges. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. The 2023 RX models maintained the RX's traditional blunt-nosed design, with a wheelbase stretch that reduced rear overhang, making the SUV appear smaller. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic design with improved infotainment technology and contemporary detailing. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The SX trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with torque available between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The Seltos offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution at lower speeds, and the Seltos was capable in light off-roading conditions. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. The Seltos was lively in urban environments, with good visibility and easy parking, though highway driving revealed significant road noise.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a new powertrain for the RX 350h, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, expected to average 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance used a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated fuel consumption of 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h included an adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering, enhancing its athleticism. The RX 350h offered a quieter cabin and better fuel economy, averaging 7.4 L/100 km. The RX 500h's Sport mode provided an engaging driving experience, though accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system. The RX 350h felt more secure in curves, with a lower centre of gravity and instant electric motor torque.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy entry and exit. The driver’s seat was manually adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on most trims. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous legroom and footroom. Cargo space measured 752 litres behind the rear seat and 1,778 litres with the seat folded down, with practical storage solutions like a smartphone shelf and grocery bag hooks.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior, with the RX 350h Luxury trim offering ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The battery pack placement under the rear seat improved leg support but reduced headroom. Cargo space increased to 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the seat folded down, matching the standard RX 350.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, paired with a Bose sound system on the SX trim. It included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity via cable. The system was intuitive, with physical controls for primary functions, but lacked a native voice recognition system.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Assistant. The system had some limitations, such as single-screen menu viewing and reflection issues. The available head-up display included dual-function touch-sensing control pads, which could be challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Kia Seltos included numerous safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The SX trim offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. The system had some irritations, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction features.