Compare the2027 Kia Seltos VS 2026 Subaru Impreza

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Seltos X-Line SX offers optional Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Impreza doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Seltos’ standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Impreza doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

The Seltos X-Line SX offers an optional 360 degree parking monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Impreza only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Seltos and Impreza 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 Impreza’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Seltos and the Impreza 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 and blind spot warning systems.

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 Impreza’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 Impreza. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Impreza 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.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Seltos has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Impreza’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (190 vs. 180) and 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

For better traction, the Seltos X-Line SX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Impreza (235/45R19 vs. 225/40R18).

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

The Seltos offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Impreza; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Seltos is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Impreza.

For greater off-road capability the Seltos LX has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Impreza (7.5 vs. 5.1 inches), allowing the Seltos to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Seltos X-Line SX’s minimum ground clearance is 3 inches higher than on the Impreza (8.1 vs. 5.1 inches).

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

The Seltos has .7 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Impreza.

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

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 Impreza 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 Impreza doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 Impreza 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 Impreza doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Seltos and the Impreza 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 Impreza 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 Impreza can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Seltos’ driver power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Impreza’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Seltos’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru charges extra for heated mirrors on the Impreza.

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 Impreza’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 Impreza doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Seltos’ optional (except LX) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Impreza doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the Seltos and the Impreza 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 Impreza 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 Impreza doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Kia Seltos outsold the Subaru Impreza by over two to one during 2025.