2022 Volkswagen Taos vs. 2022 Kia Seltos
Shopping for a new SUV in Lewisville, Texas? The 2022 Kia Seltos is getting a lot of attention as one of the newest additions to the Kia lineup. But is this popular SUV as good as the Volkswagen Taos that we sell at Lewisville Volkswagen? Let’s take a look at both 2022 models to see how they compare.
Stronger performance
Volkswagen is known for the driving dynamics and responsive handling of its vehicles thanks to its performance-minded engineering. That’s even true in the value-oriented VW Taos, which has a robust 1.5-liter turbocharged under the hood. This TSI four-cylinder motor outputs a peak horsepower of 158 and 184 lb-ft of torque.The standard engine on the Kia Seltos is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Because it doesn’t have a turbocharger, it only produces 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. You can really notice that 50 lb-ft difference in torque in how sluggish the Seltos accelerates compared to the Taos. The Taos is also heavier than the Seltos, providing more stability on the road and sturdiness when you’re driving.
You can get a turbocharged version of the Seltos that offers comparable performance to the Kia Seltos (the Seltos SX Turbo), but that’s the most expensive Seltos trim level. Why pay thousands of dollars more for performance that the Taos offers on even its most basic model?
Better fuel economy
You’d think that the Seltos would have the more fuel-efficient engine than the stronger Taos engine, but the basic turbocharged engine on the Taos burns less fuel than the basic engine on the Seltos does—even with its Intelligent Variable Transmission.According to the EPA, the VW Taos averages 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, whereas the Seltos only averages 27 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.[1] Of course, the turbocharged Seltos has even worse fuel economy than that, so no version of the 2022 Seltos can match the efficiency of the 2022 VW Taos.
More spacious
Perhaps you’re not considering a small SUV for what’s under the hood. Maybe practical functionality for everyday usage matters more to you — such as loading up home goods purchases and road trip luggage. The 2022 Volkswagen Taos wins in this category, too, providing an additional cubic foot of cargo space behind the rear seats. Even with the rear seats folded flat on both models, the Toas offers 3 extra cubic feet of maximum cargo space than the 2022 Seltos does.The Taos also offers more headroom and shoulder room for passengers in the front and rear seats, providing an extra few inches for occupants to stretch out.
More standard features
The base-level 2022 Kia Seltos and 2022 VW Taos have nearly the same price, but you’ll get a lot more goodies packed into the Taos than the bare-bones Seltos. For example, here are some of the many standard inclusions on the Taos S: LED headlights, roof rails, and two USB-C ports. The Seltos offers all of these options for extra money, but none of them are included as standard features on the Seltos LX. The Taos even offers available rain-sensing wipers, which aren’t available on the Seltos at all. VW Digital Cockpit Pro is another brand-exclusive feature you’re sure to love.Although both compact SUVs have a base starting price under $25,000, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos offers a lot more bang for your buck than the underwhelming 2022 Kia Seltos does. Its performance-oriented design, spaciousness, and value make it a better choice for many drivers in Lewisburg, Texas. Find the Taos SUV in stock here at Lewisville Volkswagen.
[1] 28 city/36 highway mpg (2022 Taos 1.5L, 8-speed automatic transmission). EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary and depends on several factors, including your driving habits and vehicle condition.