2022 Kia Seltos Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

in Car Comparisons
Rear view of a White 2022 Kia Seltos

2022 Kia Seltos by Kevauto - CC-BY-SA-4.0

The 2022 Kia Seltos, might be a subcompact crossover, but it’s worthy of some big attention. We’re going to dive into a list of 2022 Kia Seltos pros and cons to take a closer look at a model that seems to easily combine style with utility in a very competitive niche. It appeals to a wide range of buyers, from urban professionals to adventure seekers who need a smaller vehicle.

That said, potential buyers need to understand the 2022 Kia Seltos pros and cons before they make any sort of binding commitment or spend any of their hard-earned money. We have a long list for this one, so let’s hit the road.

What We Love: 2022 Kia Seltos Pros

We’ll get to the cons soon enough, but we like to start with the good stuff. Here’s a look at the 2022 Kia Seltos pros.

Performance and Handling

The performance and general handling of the 2022 Kia Seltos feel dynamic and nimble. The steering is tight and precise, and in sport mode with the AWD turned on it can be a really fun ride. The Seltos handles curves with ease, even with more substantial speed, making it feel much more secure than the average small SUV while being enjoyable.


FEEL SECURE IN THE CAR YOU CHOOSE

You don’t want to buy a car - you want to get the best deal on the car you’re looking for. The CoPilot app will notify you if there’s a similar vehicle in your area at a better price, so you’re always certain you got the best deal available. 


Interior Space and Comfort

Even though it’s in the subcompact category, the 2022 Kia Seltos feels really roomy inside. There’s plenty of leg and headroom for taller occupants, even in the back. These heated seats are well-designed and feel comfortable, even during long trips. 

Cargo Capacity

We touched on how spacious the 2022 Kia Seltos is inside, but the real surprise comes when you start loading it up with cargo instead of people. Behind the back seats, there’s nearly 27 cubic feet of space, but if you fold down those seats you get a massive bump to a total of 62.8 cubic feet of space to stow, pack, and move.

Fuel Efficiency

The fuel efficiency of the 2022 Kia Seltos is another big benefit and major selling point of the vehicle. With an efficiency of up to 35 MPG, it makes a great option for any individuals or families whether they need to do urban driving or long-distance journeys. This level of fuel economy is ideal for those facing higher fuel costs or costly urban living. The skill of balancing fuel economy and performance is one of the most attractive reasons the budget-conscious seek out the 2022 Seltos.


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE KIA SELTOS

It’s roomy, full of excellent tech, and has quality safety features. If you’re interested in this car, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Kia Seltos year on the market?


Design and Features

The Seltos continues to impress with its modern exterior design and a long list of interior features. The visual appeal, blended with the high-tech elements, such as intelligent variable automatic transmission and the extensive comfort features, like the six-speaker immersive audio system, create the appearance of a luxury vehicle. Other features present in the 2022 Seltos include wireless phone charging and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety and Warranty

Safety is a major item on any potential buyer’s list, and the 2022 Kia Seltos does not disappoint. In fact, with 4 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA and 0 recalls as of the time of writing, safety is one of the key components of the 2022 Seltos. It includes safety features like a reversing camera, lane follow assist, and even bling-spot collision avoidance in the rear.

What We Don’t Like: 2022 Kia Seltos Cons

We had to get here eventually. Here they are: what we didn’t like, and what are known as common problems with the 2022 Kia Seltos.

Transmission Problems

The variable transmission in the 2022 Kia Seltos, particularly when combined with the turbo versions of the Seltos’ engines, is known to be rough. For most people, this is less noticeable at higher speeds where the rate of acceleration is less, but at lower speeds under boost, the shifting is known to feel “clunky”, which can put a damper on an otherwise pleasant drive.

Ride Quality

In most situations, the 2022 Kia Seltos provides a nice, buttery smooth ride. However, in scenarios where the terrain may change abruptly, the suspension may not adjust in time and can lead to a bumpy ride. All in all, it’s just a vehicle meant for more well-maintained roads and not something you’re going to want to take onto gravel country roads too often.


AI-ASSISTED CAR SHOPPING

Never miss out on the best car, never overpay, and never get taken advantage of. Download the CoPilot app to see the magic of AI-assisted car shopping.


Interior Materials

There are two common complaints about the interior materials found at most trim levels in the 2022 Kia Seltos. The first is that the materials don’t really mesh or create a cohesive look for the cabin. They try to look nice, but they don’t really match the overall tone and quality of the vehicle. This is much more noticeable when compared to competitors in the same class that offer more premium materials at similar price points. 

The second common complaint about the interior materials is that they don’t do much to insulate the cabin from the noise of the road. The carpet and padding should be thicker to help block out the road and engine noise, and the glass chosen for the windows should be thicker as well. While the road noise isn’t a total deal-breaker, to say that it’s not obvious just wouldn’t be straightforward.

Should You Buy a 2022 Kia Seltos?

Well, there you have it, our list of all the 2022 Kia Seltos pros and cons. By now, you should have a great idea of what the benefits are and what potential drawbacks you may face when buying or while owning a 2022 Kia Seltos, but you may also still be asking “Should you buy one”. 

In truth, the only person who will be able to answer that question is you. You’ll need to think about what you’ve read here today, in the context of what you need and want from your vehicles, and only then will you be able to answer that question with absolute confidence and surety. If you’re looking for an entry-level subcompact SUV, the 2022 Kia Seltos is a solid option.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.