Many people in North Hampton, NH drive subcompact SUVs because they offer plenty of cargo space while also being a breeze to park and maneuver. The new Hyundai Kona and new Kia Seltos are both built by Korean automakers and they're similar in size. But here at Hampton Hyundai, we think the Hyundai Kona is safer and more fun to drive than its Kia counterpart. Keep reading to see why.
New Hyundai Kona vs. New Kia Seltos
Performance
You'll be able to zip through traffic in Epping easily with the new Hyundai Kona. It comes with a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but a turbocharged 175-horsepower motor is available. The Seltos' standard four-cylinder motor puts out 146 horsepower. It also offers an optional 175-horsepower engine. The biggest difference is in the transmissions. The Kona's available seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission delivers smooth, timely shifts, while the Seltos' inconsistent and hesitant transmission hampers its overall performance.
Both the new Hyundai Kona and the new Kia Seltos are a cinch to navigate in tight spaces, but the Kona provides a better feel for the road. The Kona's sharp steering and well-built chassis keep it composed on curvy roads in Newburyport, MA, but it also rides soft and stable on straightaways. The Seltos has so-so handling. There's little to no feedback from the road, and you might notice some wind and road noise.
Reliability
You can trust the new Hyundai Kona to get you to work and back every day in Portsmouth because it earned a five-star predicted reliability score from Consumer Reports. The new Kia Seltos only received a three-star predicted reliability rating.
EV Option
The new Hyundai Kona is available in an eco-friendly EV variant with a class-leading 258-mile driving range. The new Kia Seltos is not offered with an EV powertrain.
Safety
The new Hyundai Kona and new Kia Seltos offer the same menu of standard airbags along with a few common driver aids, like traction control and a rearview camera. But York, ME drivers will appreciate that the Kona earned five-out-of-five stars for overall safety in ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Kia Seltos only received four out of five stars from federal testers.
The new Hyundai Kona comes with four standard driver assistance features, while the new Kia Seltos only comes with two. Each Kona trim comes with forward collision warning and lane keep assist, but those features are just optional on the Seltos.
Infotainment
The new Hyundai Kona comes with a user-friendly infotainment system that's a cinch for people in North Hampton to operate while driving. You can adjust settings via the responsive touch screen or physical controls, and the buttons are easy to see and reach from the driver's seat. The new Kia Seltos' infotainment touch screen sometimes freezes up, and its graphics are underwhelming.
Test Drive the New Hyundai Kona at Hampton Hyundai
Both the new Hyundai Kona and the Kia Seltos come with outstanding warranties. Each are backed by a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Epping drivers will like that the Kona's base trim costs nearly $1,500 less than the Seltos' entry-level model. Hampton Hyundai has a wide selection of Kona models for sale near Newburyport, MA. Contact us to arrange a test drive in one today.
