2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering four trim levels in Canada: LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. All trims except 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 similar 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 particularly favoured. Inside, it showcased 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 universally appealing.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design. The ID.4, based on VW’s MEB platform, was easily distinguishable as an EV but lacked the traditional SUV profile, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline models, offering a minimalist design and a sense of quality. The base model, despite having a manual driver’s seat, did not feel like a significant downgrade from higher trims. The ID.4 also included leatherette upholstery with recycled fibres, enhancing its eco-friendly appeal.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine on the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, delivering 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The SX trim featured a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, producing 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The Seltos provided three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos was capable of light off-roading. However, the suspension tuning was less than ideal, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. Despite these issues, the Seltos was lively in urban settings and easy to park, though highway driving revealed some wind noise and road roar.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model with RWD, while the Pro model retained the 82-kWh pack with RWD or AWD options. The single electric motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight, potentially improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4 excelled in acceleration with AWD but allowed too much body roll for spirited driving. Regenerative braking was present, but VW did not offer one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for new EV drivers.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The driver’s seat was adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on most trims. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous legroom and footroom. Cargo space was ample, with 752 litres behind the rear seat and 1,778 litres with the seat folded. However, the use of hard plastic on the upper door panels and front seatbacks was a minor drawback.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with superior legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. Cargo space was substantial, with 858 litres behind the rear seats and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with RWD models towing up to 1,000 kilograms and AWD models up to 1,225 kilograms. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, along with three-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity via cable. The interface was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, offering improved software responsiveness and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The user interface included sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition, though the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less user-friendly. The ID.Light feature provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, though it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The SX trim added 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, with top marks for crashworthiness and crash-avoidance tech.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.