Power and fuel efficiency: hyundai santa fe vs. kia seltos performance comparison

In the realm of compact and mid-size crossovers, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Seltos stand out as two formidable contenders. Both vehicles offer a compelling blend of style, practicality, and performance, but they cater to slightly different audiences and have unique strengths and weaknesses. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of these two popular SUVs to help you make an informed decision.

Exterior Design

The Hyundai Santa Fe exudes a bold and muscular presence with its sharp lines and imposing grille. Its sleek silhouette and elegant curves give it a premium look, while the available panoramic sunroof adds an airy feel to the cabin.

In contrast, the Kia Seltos embraces a more compact and sporty design. Its angular body and aggressive front fascia give it a youthful and dynamic appearance. The Seltos also offers a wide range of customization options, including contrasting roof colors and bold wheel designs.

Interior Space and Comfort

The Santa Fe offers a spacious and versatile interior with ample room for passengers and cargo. The front seats provide excellent support and comfort, while the rear seats offer plenty of legroom and headroom. The optional third row provides additional seating capacity, making the Santa Fe an ideal choice for large families.

The Seltos has a more compact interior but still manages to provide a comfortable and well-equipped cabin. The front seats are supportive and offer good visibility, while the rear seats are spacious enough for most adults. The Seltos also boasts a generous amount of cargo space for its size.

Performance and Fuel Economy

The Santa Fe offers a choice of two engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 191 horsepower and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 277 horsepower. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive.

The Seltos is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Santa Fe with the 2.5-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined, while the turbocharged engine gets 22 mpg combined. The Seltos gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 27 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.

Technology and Safety Features

Both the Santa Fe and Seltos come equipped with a wide range of advanced technology and safety features. The Santa Fe features an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a premium audio system, a wireless charging pad, and a suite of driver-assistance systems including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The Seltos boasts a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose premium audio system, a wireless charging pad, and a comprehensive suite of safety features including lane departure warning, forward collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring.

Price and Value

The Hyundai Santa Fe has a starting price of $27,200, while the Kia Seltos starts at $22,590. Both vehicles offer a wide range of trim levels and options, so the final price will vary depending on your specific configuration.

In terms of value, the Santa Fe offers more space, power, and features than the Seltos, but it comes at a higher price. The Seltos, on the other hand, offers a more affordable entry point and a compact size that makes it ideal for city driving.

Which One Should You Choose?

The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Seltos are both excellent SUVs with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. If you’re looking for a spacious and powerful family vehicle with a premium feel, the Santa Fe is a great choice. However, if you’re looking for a more compact and affordable SUV with a sporty design and good fuel economy, the Seltos is a better option.

Additional Considerations

Beyond the key aspects covered in this comparison, there are a few additional factors to consider when choosing between the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Seltos:

• Reliability: Both the Santa Fe and Seltos have a solid reputation for reliability.
• Towing Capacity: The Santa Fe has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the Seltos has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.
• Off-Road Capability: The Santa Fe is available with all-wheel drive and a variety of off-road features, making it more capable than the Seltos in rugged conditions.
• Warranty: Both the Santa Fe and Seltos come with a comprehensive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which SUV is more fuel-efficient?
A: The Kia Seltos gets better fuel economy than the Hyundai Santa Fe, with an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 27 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.

Q: Which SUV has more cargo space?
A: The Hyundai Santa Fe has more cargo space than the Kia Seltos, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row of seats and 72.1 cubic feet behind the first row of seats.

Q: Which SUV has a more powerful engine?
A: The Hyundai Santa Fe has a more powerful engine than the Kia Seltos, with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 277 horsepower.