2023 Kia Seltos vs. 2023 Honda HR-V Comparison

The Honda HR-V is the brand’s smallest and most affordable SUV, and it was just redesigned for the 2023 model year. Its many upgrades over its predecessor make it more competitive with a relative newcomer in the subcompact SUV class, the Kia Seltos.

Let’s take a closer look at these small SUVs and find the right one for you.

2023 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos is both a stylish subcompact SUV and a great value. It has a modest starting price, most trims come standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), and its good fuel economy and roomy interior make it practical. Pricing starts at $22,840. View listings near you.

Kia Seltos Highlights

More affordable: The Kia Seltos is slightly more affordable than the Honda HR-V. It not only carries a lower sticker price, but it’s more fuel-efficient, which can turn into significant savings in the long term. It’s also worth noting that the base trim of the Seltos has AWD for $22,840, but the most affordable AWD-equipped HR-V starts at $25,150.

Turbo engine option: The Kia Seltos has an optional turbocharged engine that makes driving more exciting. The turbo engine produces 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, while every HR-V is powered by a naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine that makes 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. Even with the turbo engine, the price tag and fuel economy are still pretty reasonable with the Seltos.

Excellent warranty: The warranty that protects the Kia Seltos exceeds the Honda warranty. The Seltos comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. By comparison, the HR-V has a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2023 Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V received an overdue redesign for the 2023 model year. The all-new HR-V has a new look, a more premium interior, and more standard tech features than its predecessor. Pricing starts at $23,650. View listings near you.

Honda HR-V Highlights

Upscale interior: Both of these SUVs have lovely interiors, but the inside of the HR-V arguably has a more premium look and feel than the Seltos. The interior of the HR-V got a massive upgrade in the 2023 redesign with a surprisingly upscale look and nice interior materials. It also has a smooth and quiet ride for an SUV this size.

Wireless smartphone connectivity: Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are convenient optional features in the Honda HR-V that you can’t get in the Kia Seltos. If you opt for the top EX-L trim, you can connect your smartphone to the screen in the car without taking it out of your purse or pocket.

Honda Sensing: Every trim of the Honda HR-V comes standard with the Honda Sensing safety tech suite. It bundles safety features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and lane-keep assist to add safety and confidence to your drive. The Sport trim adds blind-spot monitoring and the top EX-L trim further adds parking sensors and low-speed braking control.

Newer: The Seltos is only in its third model year, but that still means it could be two years before its next redesign. The HR-V, however, is all-new this year. If you keep your vehicles for five years or more, but also like to drive the current generation, the HR-V has an advantage.

Similarities

Roomy, attractive interiors, many standard safety features, available AWD, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder base engines, standard Android Auto/Apple CarPlay

Conclusion

The Kia Seltos is the value choice thanks to its lower starting price, better fuel economy, and longer warranty. However, the all-new Honda HR-V is worth a test drive for its modern design, upscale interior, and intuitive tech features. You can’t go wrong with either, and which is right for you largely depends on personal preference.

	2023 Kia Seltos	2023 Honda HR-V
Starting Price	$22,840	$23,650
Popular Powertrains
Engine	2.0-liter I4	2.0-liter I4
Horsepower	146 hp @ 6,200 rpm	158 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm	138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm
Transmission	CVT automatic	CVT automatic
Fuel Economy	29 city/35 highway/31 combined mpg	26 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg
Also Available	1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 7-speed automatic; AWD	AWD
Specs
Basic Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	10 years/100,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Overall Safety	4 stars	TBD
Max Seating Capacity	5	5
Wheelbase	103.5 inches	104.5 inches
Overall Length	172.0 inches	179.8 inches
Width	70.9 inches	72.4 inches
Height	63.6 inches	63.4 inches
Turning Diameter	34.8 feet	35.1 feet
Headroom, Front	40.0 inches	39.4 inches
Headroom, Rear	38.4 inches	38.0 inches
Legroom, Front	41.4 inches	41.9 inches
Legroom, Rear	38.0 inches	37.7 inches
Shoulder Room, Front	55.5 inches	56.6 inches
Shoulder Room, Rear	54.7 inches	55.2 inches
Cargo Volume	26.6/62.8 cubic feet	24.4/55.1 cubic feet