Can you get a spacious, feature-packed subcompact SUV for under $30,000? We test the new Kia Seltos against the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross to find out.
Kia Seltos Edmunds Review –
Honda HR-V Edmunds Review –
Toyota Corolla Cross Edmunds Review –
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00:00 Intro
00:33 Kia Seltos Interior, Tech, & Storage
07:00 Kia Seltos Driving Impressions
10:42 Honda HR-V Interior, Tech, & Storage
14:26 Honda HR-V Driving Impressions
16:38 Toyota Corolla Cross Interior, Tech, & Storage
20:49 Toyota Corolla Cross Driving Impressions
23:48 Value
24:56 Edmunds’ Take
Cars are getting expensive, but if you want a practical subcompact SUV with plenty of space for daily driving without dropping $50,000, you have options. In this comparison review, we pit the new Kia Seltos against two heavyweights: the Honda HR-V and the Toyota Corolla Cross. All three start under $30,000, but they deliver drastically different experiences once you get behind the wheel.
The redesigned Kia Seltos steals the show with an impressive, airy interior, standard big screens, and high-end features like available ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof — stuff rarely seen at this price point. While its base engine is admittedly sluggish off the line, its class-leading rear legroom, cargo space and exceptional overall value helped it earn an excellent 7.8/10 rating in our testing.
In contrast, the Honda HR-V offers refined driving dynamics and clean interior styling, but it falls short with a tight back seat, lack of rear air vents, and outdated tech. Meanwhile, the Toyota Corolla Cross delivers the best fuel economy and MPG numbers of the group but suffers from the smallest rear seat and low-rent interior materials. When the dust settled, the Kia Seltos emerged as our clear winner, offering the complete package for anyone searching for the best subcompact SUV.
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Disclaimer: This video’s description was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by the Edmunds editorial team. The video itself was created entirely without the use of generative AI.
#KiaSeltos #HondaHRV #ToyotaCorollaCross #Edmunds
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The new Kia Seltos not only looks like a baby Telluride, but it also feels like one on the inside with a cabin that competitors (including these two) can't match. But it's also very slow – would that be a deal-breaker for you? Or would you trade it for a better interior? Let us know in the comments below!
I’m sorry, but if you look closely, the fit and finish on the materials of the HR-V are amongst the poorest quality of any automaker. Honda is not doing very good on their production lineup. There is plenty of cost-cutting shortcuts throughout Honda’s entire lineup. The amount of cheap plastics on the HR-V is overwhelming. Since the panels aren’t well put together, there will be excessive creaking and rattling. It’s not a good time to buy a Honda.
The Seltos is NOT the better car. This video is exactly why Edmunds reviews and picks is just garbage. The HRV is way ahead of the other two. Way ahead in suspension design. Way ahead in engineering. Way in driving feel and handling. Look underneath the HRV and you will be impressed because you can see the length Honda went to to make a good car. Look underneath the Seltos and you will see how far Kia went to cut corners. It looks horrible underneath. But Edmunds gives it the win because it has flashy tech screens to keep a 5 year-old drooling. Having a "basic" infotainment screen is an advantage! It's fuckin crazy to pick a model with obismal power over something that is better just because they didn't like the basic screen, when it runs PERFECT with no lag or connectivity issues that Kia is plagued with. There's a reason why the HRV has had basically 0 depreciation over the last 3 years since the new generation came out. Don't believe me? Look at used prices of a 2023. Damn near the same price as they were when they first came out.
Not buying a car solely for tech. More so reliable and resale value
Whoa, walletmaxxing.
Kicks?
I cannot wait for the Seltos hybrid version and rumored full on GT versions to address the slow performance.
32000 is not cheap 😮
I think Kia Seltos vs the Nissan Kicks would be a good comparison.
I just had a 2026 Seltos as a rental this week and this new one is quite the upgrade!! The 2026 was perfectly decent for the price too though!
Not everyone's about having a computer screen stuck in your vehicles!
You don't even need one really if you think about it. Manufacturers created demand and they fill the need!
The KIA interior is very cold and plasticky looking. Imagine if the Honda had the 1.5 Turbo AWD. That would be a great option. Cheers
cheap isn't a word I would use so much
If it could tow, I'd take the Seltos.
so… buy a CX30
The Hrv and corolla cross are such a joke. It’s clear that it’s there in the lineup as bait to go from a fully loaded model to a base rav4/crv
Honda should be embarrassed by the HR-V. It's merely adequate, and it sells purely on the (false) expectation of Honda's reliability.
0:14 – No SUVs were reviewed in this video.
Kia is great if you don’t plan to keep the car more than 3 years
THE ONLY THING KIA BEATS TOYOTA AND HONDA IS MAKING PILES OF JUNK
I can tell this is pure advertisement. Not a review. Spacious? u barely fit in that cabin. The door panel…ugly AF…. It's just a small car with good exterior design. The versions tested with all the equipment is NOT under 30k……
It would have been great to see how the Subaru Crosstrek also compares to these 3.
One more comment. Those soft touch materials in the interior will not age well.