Kia Seltos VS Hyundai Kona Comparsion

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Welcome to the new Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos comparison for 2020. It would not the the right thing to do on a comparison site like this,  not to compare the Kona and the Seltos. They are after all twins underneath the sheetmetal. For those to came late, there are plenty of shared models e.g. Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger, VW and Audi or Skoda or another VW brand. While most shared models look very similar some manufacturers have taken the time to differeniate them and deserve the extra praise and Kia and Hyundai have made the effort to make them noticeable different.

Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos exterior design: We like the effort Hyundai designers put into the exterior of the Kona, It looks good and while familiar to others there is enough to largely it’s own design by standing out sightly from the competition. In comparison the Seltos is a decent looking SUV but it is dated in terms of design for 2020. Aside from that there just too many styling elements we’ve seen before in other similar looking car from other manufacturers, in particular the last generation RAV4 with the Seltos having a different front end. For Kia and as a brand the Seltos design is not good.

Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos interior comparison: Sharing underbody parts seems to mean sharing interior parts too but thankfully Kia have given the Seltos a more upmarket interior than the Kona. Apart from the seating position you would also have to be really a little picky if you can tell which common parts have been used. Regardless the Seltos interior is a better one to be in than the Kona, feeling like a $30,000 car. That said the hard plastic dash top looks better than what it is and Kia uses silver highlights effectively to look more upmarket as well.

Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos engines and technology: While sharing the same engines, the Hyundai differs by having normal 6 speed automatic vs the Seltos CVT. However, high end model grades share the 7 speed DCT Auto. Safety is by optional packs hence raise the price and both are missing a decent stereo systems. Long warranties indicates they still need to build trust especially when equipped with a DCT but hampered by the well known escape clause ‘normal wear and tear’ statement which means it’s a arguably a worthless. Everyone will be watching when the DCT automatics start to fail and the warranty complaints start coming. It’s a good way to ruin a brand image.

The conclusion and winner to the new Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos comparison is a draw. The only thing separating the two models are exterior and interior designs. We’d pick the Kona if we didn’t have to carry other people so they don’t have them experience the underwhelming interior. We’d pick the Seltos if we carrying people who don’t care about how a car looks on the outside. In the end we would pick neither as the are not the affordable packages they should be. We’d probably go for the compromised Mitsubishi ASX for example since all these claimed SUVs will be used for the same thing and the ASX or ‘insert your alternate choice’ is cheaper and better equipped.

Hyundai Kona	Kia Seltos
Engines
4 Cylinder petrol G4NH 2 Litre (1999cc) 91 Octane DOHC VVT EFI Claimed 110Kw @ 6200 RPM Claimed 180Nm @ 4500 RPM	IL 4 Cylinder Petrol DOHC EFI VVT 2.0 Litre (1999cc) Claimed 110Kw @ 6200RPM Claimed 180Nm @ 4500RPM
4 Cylinder petrol G4FJ 1.6 Litre (1591c) 91 Octane DOHC VVT EFI Claimed 130Kw @ 5500 RPM Claimed 265Nm @ 1500 RPM	IL4 Cylinder Petrol 1.6 Litre (1591cc) Turbo DOHC Engine EFI Claimed 130Kw @ 6000RPM Claimed 265Nm @ 1500RPM
Weight
From Approx Kerb weight 1366 Kg Towing capacity up to 800kg	FROM 1355 Kg Towing capacity up to 1100kg
Fuel capacity & consumption
Up to 50 litres IL4 2 Petrol 7.2 litres per 100km IL4 1.6 Turbo Petrol 6.7 litres per 100km	Up to 50 litres IL4 2.0 Petrol 6.8 litres per 100km IL4 1.6 Turbo Petrol 7.6 litres per 100km
Other specifications
6 Speed Auto or 7 speed DCT Overall height/width 1565/1800 Overall length/wheelbase 4165/2600 4WD system: FWD or On demand AWD ANCAP Safety: 5/5	7 speed DCT Auto or CVT Overall height/width 1640/1810 Overall length/Wheelbase 4365/2670 4WD system: FWD ANCAP Safety: 5/5
Capability
Angle of: (degrees) Approach xx Departure xx Breakover xx Ground clearance (unloaded) 175mm Water Fording depth xxmm Max	Angle of: (degrees) Approach xx Departure xx Breakover xx Ground clearance (unloaded) 177mm Water Fording depth xxmm Max
Performance
Pricing
2020 $24,500 – 40,200 AUD 2017 $24,500 – 36,000 AUD	2020 $26,690 – 42,690 AUD
*Specs change due to model grade and configuration. Always check with the dealer for up to date pricing, specifications, on-road costs, accessories and specials etc.. everything as usual is subject to change!