Compare the2027 Kia Seltos VS 2026 Subaru Crosstrek

Both the Seltos and Crosstrek offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Seltos S/EX/X-Line S/X-Line SX has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Crosstrek’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Compared to metal, the Seltos’ plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Subaru Crosstrek has a metal gas tank.

Both the Seltos and the Crosstrek have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Seltos comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Crosstrek’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Seltos 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Crosstrek. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Crosstrek ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 24 percent more Kia dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Seltos’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the Crosstrek:

			MPG
Seltos
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
Crosstrek
	AWD	Wilderness 2.5 DOHC flat-4	24 city/29 hwy

For better traction, the Seltos X-Line SX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Crosstrek (235/45R19 vs. 225/60R17).

The Seltos X-Line SX’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Seltos X-Line SX has standard 19-inch wheels. The Crosstrek’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Seltos is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Crosstrek.

The Seltos has 2.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Crosstrek (103.4 vs. 100.5).

The Seltos has .7 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Crosstrek.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The Crosstrek’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek with its rear seat up (27.8 vs. 19.9 cubic feet). The Seltos has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Seltos’ power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Seltos’ power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Standard on the Seltos uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Seltos offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Seltos X-Line SX, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Seltos and the Crosstrek have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Seltos is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Crosstrek prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Seltos’ driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Crosstrek can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Seltos’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Crosstrek and aren’t offered on the Crosstrek Base.

When the Seltos X-Line SX with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Crosstrek’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Seltos X-Line SX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Seltos and the Crosstrek offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Seltos offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Seltos is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.