Nissan Qashqai vs. Kia Seltos: Our Small SUV Pick

Nissan opportunely joined the compact SUV phase in 2007 with the Qashqai, a compact crossover SUV named after nomadic tribes of Iran. The Qashqai allowed the Japanese automotive powerhouse to be one particular pioneer in the freshly made segment of tiny SUVs. After 15 years and in excess of 3 million models marketed, the Qashqai continues to be a benchmark but now with a plethora of opponents threaten to steal its spot in this section.

We are talking about the Korean automaker KIA, which last but not least fronted up the modest SUV playground with their initially technology Seltos in 2019. With a name taken from the son of Hercules, this subcompact crossover arrived as an exciting proposal with an interesting pack of goodies. In 2022, the Seltos still presents outstanding value for revenue and an partaking powertrain to butt heads with a person of its main rivals like the Qashqai and see who’s in the compact SUV segment.

Nissan Qashqai

Rate: $25,098 CAD / 33,890 AUD / $24,960 USD (Nissan Rogue Activity)

By way of Autopista

The present-day era of the Qashqai characteristics ProPILOT electrification and semi-autonomous driving to carve out a market for alone as the tiny brother of the X-Trail.

The Ariya, Nissan’s electric SUV, obviously encouraged its style. However, with significantly more compact proportions, it steps 4.42 meters extensive. The front conclusion receives boomerang headlamps, a sharp V-Movement grille, and vertical styling lines in the fascia. The rear retains a much more conservative design primarily based on the similar DNA of the Qashqai it replaces.

There are also important novelties in the mechanical office, with an present of electrified engines and with out diesel. As an alternative, the Japanese manufacturer has accompanied the only gasoline motor with an unparalleled e-Electricity hybrid propulsion system for the major trim comprising an electrical motor with a common combustion motor (petrol). This configuration performs as a generator to charge the batteries that give power to the electric powered motor, the only one in charge of only moving the automobile.

A 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine powers the rest of the variety in two accessible outputs: 140 horsepower–available only with a 6-pace handbook transmission–and 158 horsepower, with Xtronic automatic transmission and either FWD or AWD. The Nissan Qashqai has sold properly due to the fact its release.

Through Autobild

Nissan has thoroughly upgraded this block to include things like the 12V moderate hybrid procedure. In addition, it incorporates a separate lithium battery mounted under the floor and a belt-driven generator to collect braking strength, delivering torque help through acceleration.

The Qashqai is dependent on the new CMF-C platform, shared with other types in the team, this kind of as the Sentra, the Renault Mégane, or the Mitsubishi Outlander. This sophisticated architecture decreases excess weight while improving its rigidity, which interprets into improved journey good quality and excellent safety for travellers.

This auto is rebranded for United states markets as the Nissan Rogue Sport.

For other marketplaces like Canada, the Qashqai is obtainable with a 2. inline-four motor building 141 horsepower and 147 lb.-ft. of torque. The Canadian Qashqai capabilities Nissan Xtronic CVT® (Continually Variable Transmission). The 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with gentle-hybrid help in 140 hp achieves 44.5 mpg.

By using Prime Equipment

Aesthetically, the Qashqai acquired a properly-deserved restyling, which introduced back the swag it experienced been losing as the preceding era was displaying indications of growing old. The new layout is much far more purposeful, with sharper lines that supply a apparent intention of the model to produce extra futuristic silhouettes.

The new Qashqai features a roomy interior for five travellers with a town-welcoming exterior for effortless maneuverability but continue to not as roomy or versatile as some rivals. Furthermore, it has a generous boot house of 648 cu. ft. (504 L), excluding luggage boards.

According to Whatcar.com, the Nissan Qashqai has caught with the successful mixture of an elevated driving situation, attractive but fairly rugged appears, and down-to-earth working prices whilst also offering prospective buyers plenty of trims options – from entry-level Visia proper up to luxurious Tekna+.

Push.com suggests the new 2022 Nissan Qashqai crossover is smarter, safer, and far better equipped than its predecessor.

Pros: Complex design and style inside and out, packed with highly developed technological know-how, high stage of conventional safety attributes.

Drawbacks: Nevertheless depends on a CVT. Other rivals offer far better seating overall flexibility, underwhelming effectiveness.

By using Kia

Kia Seltos

Price tag: $22,590 USD / 23,595 CAD / 26,700 AUD

The Kia Seltos is a single of the most latest products of the South Korean brand name, arriving in 2019 to compete in the subcompact SUV segment. Hunting from the outside, Seltos features a straightforward still beautiful design, with plenty of straight strains ending in the contrasting grille at the front. The Kia Seltos GT Line 2022 is a product that has set the conventional inside of its phase for its spacious inside and fantastic technological present.

A single of the most crucial features of the KIA Seltos 2022 is beneath the hood. The GT Line model will come with a 1.4-liter turbo engine, able of building 138 hp and 179 lb-ft, enough to shift with ease. It doesn’t struggle to sustain a excellent speed on the highway, nor does it want to drive the engine as well tough to reach freeway speeds. Some turbo lag forces you to sink your foot a very little a lot more on the accelerator when starting, but it is not a delay that hinders driving.

By using LA Periods

The dual-clutch computerized transmission mitigates the influence of turbo lag. It does a good work squeezing the greatest functionality out of the engine without having influencing fuel economic climate much too a great deal. Even so, in phrases of driving manners, the Kia Seltos 2022 points a lot far more to convenience than to sportiness.

Gas economic system for the Seltos is an EPA-believed rating of 27/31 mpg town/freeway. The additional strong 175-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder designs have a somewhat decrease fuel economy score of 25/30 mpg.

The suspension has a very soft contact, which transmits robustness when going by way of potholes and does not get to launch when tracing curves on the highway. Having said that, there is a marked overall body roll.

The 2022 Kia Seltos GT Line has a basic, spacious, and practical cabin even so, this does not necessarily mean it lacks practicality. On the contrary, the interior offers sufficient comfort and space for five people today and a boot place of 15.3 cu. ft. (433 liters). At the similar time, this model features a specified sporty air by integrating exceptional functions these kinds of as GT Line sports activities bucket seats.

By means of CNET

At the finish of the day, the 2022 KIA Seltos is a fairly well balanced SUV in managing. Its motor would make it agile, whilst the chassis pursues the comfort and ease of an SUV geared toward family members and urban mobility.

Motor vehicle and Driver say the Seltos carves out a little market and satisfies motorists with a charming chassis and a relaxed cabin.

U.S. Information describes the Kia Seltos as 1 of the roomiest and most gas-economical subcompact SUVs about, and it gives decent dealing with, but its powertrains go away room for enhancement.

Professionals: Upscale interior materials and layout, compelling powertrain, significant stage of comfort devices.

Cons: Unimpressive handling, not a ton of driving aids, it doesn’t supply an electrified variation.

Verdict

Though the Kia Seltos has become a critical contender in the compact SUV segment, it falls quick with regards to engineering and general performance and not supplying a version with some stage of electrification.

Nonetheless, many thanks to its boxy very good appears to be like, practical proportions, hardy presentation, respectable functionality, enough road clearance, thoughtful equipment amounts, and in general value for cash, the Seltos shapes up as a handsome and likable overachiever of the small SUV established.

On the other hand, the presently veteran Qashqai continues to be a benchmark in the compact SUV section. It continues to be 1 of the most powerful styles in its classification. The restyling that Nissan gave to the new technology Qashqai and the incorporation of a gentle hybrid powertrain make it the winner of this showdown, but not by significantly change.

Level of competition in the compact SUV phase is finding much more thrilling and fiercer yr soon after 12 months, we see designs that threaten the throne of the forerunner of the phase.