Ford Maverick Vs Kia Seltos: Which Subcompact Suv Is Right For You?
What To Know
- In terms of fuel economy, the Maverick shines with an impressive EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
- 0-liter engine returns an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, while the turbocharged model achieves an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
- The Ford Maverick and Kia Seltos offer a range of trim levels and pricing options to suit different budgets and preferences.
The automotive landscape is constantly evolving, with new models and variations emerging to cater to the diverse preferences and needs of car buyers. In the realm of compact SUVs, two vehicles that have garnered significant attention are the Ford Maverick and the Kia Seltos. Both offer a compelling blend of practicality, efficiency, and style, making them worthy contenders in this competitive segment. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of these two vehicles, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and unique characteristics to help you make an informed decision when choosing your next compact SUV.
Performance and Efficiency: Powertrains and Fuel Economy
The Ford Maverick and Kia Seltos offer distinct powertrain options that cater to different driving styles and preferences. The Maverick comes standard with a 2.5-liter hybrid engine that delivers a combined output of 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that ensures smooth and efficient power delivery. The Seltos, on the other hand, offers a choice of two engines: a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that produces 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that generates 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to a CVT.
In terms of fuel economy, the Maverick shines with an impressive EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The Seltos with the 2.0-liter engine returns an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, while the turbocharged model achieves an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
Interior Design and Features: Comfort, Convenience, and Technology
The Ford Maverick and Kia Seltos offer well-appointed interiors that prioritize comfort, convenience, and technology. The Maverick features a spacious cabin with comfortable seating for five passengers. The dashboard layout is clean and intuitive, with a user-friendly infotainment system that includes an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. The Seltos also boasts a spacious cabin with supportive seats and ample legroom and headroom. Its infotainment system features a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with similar connectivity options as the Maverick.
Both vehicles offer a range of advanced driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Seltos, however, offers a slightly more comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system.
Cargo Space and Towing Capacity: Versatility and Utility
The Ford Maverick and Kia Seltos offer varying levels of cargo space and towing capacity, catering to different needs and lifestyles. The Maverick boasts an impressive payload capacity of 1,500 pounds and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. Its innovative Flexbed system provides customizable storage solutions, making it ideal for hauling bulky items or recreational gear. The Seltos, on the other hand, offers a more modest payload capacity of 1,350 pounds and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. Its cargo space is also slightly smaller than the Maverick’s, with 26.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats compared to the Maverick’s 33.3 cubic feet.
Off-Road Capability: Exploring the Great Outdoors
The Ford Maverick and Kia Seltos offer different levels of off-road capability, catering to those who venture beyond paved roads. The Maverick comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available as an option. It also features a raised suspension and skid plates for added protection when tackling rough terrain. The Seltos, on the other hand, comes standard with all-wheel drive and offers a slightly higher ground clearance than the Maverick. However, its lack of dedicated off-road features may limit its capabilities in more challenging terrain.
Pricing and Trims: Finding the Right Fit for Your Budget
The Ford Maverick and Kia Seltos offer a range of trim levels and pricing options to suit different budgets and preferences. The Maverick’s base XL trim starts at an MSRP of $21,490, while the top-of-the-line Lariat trim starts at $28,660. The Seltos’ base LX trim starts at an MSRP of $23,990, while the top-of-the-line SX Turbo trim starts at $29,790. Both vehicles offer a variety of packages and options to further customize and enhance their features and capabilities.
Takeaways: Choosing the Ideal Compact SUV for Your Needs
The Ford Maverick and Kia Seltos are both compelling choices in the compact SUV segment, offering a blend of practicality, efficiency, and style. The Maverick stands out with its impressive fuel economy, versatile Flexbed system, and strong towing capacity. The Seltos, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive suite of safety features, a slightly more spacious cabin, and a more powerful turbocharged engine option. Ultimately, the best choice between these two vehicles depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget.
Frequently Discussed Topics
1. Which vehicle has better fuel economy, the Ford Maverick or the Kia Seltos?
The Ford Maverick offers superior fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway compared to the Kia Seltos’ EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for the 2.0-liter engine and 27 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway for the turbocharged engine.
2. Which vehicle has a more spacious cabin, the Ford Maverick or the Kia Seltos?
The Kia Seltos offers a slightly more spacious cabin than the Ford Maverick, with more legroom and headroom for passengers.
3. Which vehicle has a higher towing capacity, the Ford Maverick or the Kia Seltos?
The Ford Maverick has a higher towing capacity of 2,000 pounds compared to the Kia Seltos’ towing capacity of 2,000 pounds for the 2.0-liter engine and 3,500 pounds for the turbocharged engine.
4. Which vehicle has a more comprehensive suite of safety features, the Ford Maverick or the Kia Seltos?
The Kia Seltos offers a more comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system, which are not available on the Ford Maverick.
5. Which vehicle has a lower starting price, the Ford Maverick or the Kia Seltos?
The Ford Maverick has a lower starting price of $21,490 compared to the Kia Seltos‘ starting price of $23,990.
