AN UNEXPECTED WINNER... - 2024 Mazda CX-30 VS Kia Seltos - Review

It's time to crown the king of subcompact SUVs! For that, we pit two of the best small SUVs on the market against each other, with the twist being that both the 2024 Kia Seltos as well as the 2024 Mazda CX-30 have recently received updates to make them even more compelling products than before! While the Mazda's updates limit themselves mostly to a larger infotainment system, the 2024 Kia Seltos has seen a comprehensive refresh with new styling, new tech, and more goodies!

But which of these two SUVs will get to rule the land of affordable, subcompact SUVs? To find out we will compare their exterior designs, interior materials and quality, tech, and driving dynamics head-to-head before coming to a conclusion. And how does the all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax, a car we proclaimed as our 2023 GCCars Car of the Year fit into the picture? Find out in today's comparison test!

00:00 Intro - Small SUVs, Big Ambitions
00:55 Exterior - Hip vs Classy
03:00 Interior - A Typical Win for Mazda?
06:45 Interior Practicality - Drawbacks Start to Show
08:25 Driving - CX-30 Acceleration Run
09:30 Driving - Mazda Sets the Benchmark?
10:30 Driving - Seltos Acceleration Run
11:00 Driving - Drivetrain Comparison
11:40 Driving - The Kia Drawbacks
12:15 Driving - Handling Test & Driving Dynamics
12:45 Driving - Suspension & Noise Comparison
14:15 Driving - Mazda vs Kia Tech
16:45 Conclusion - And the Winner is...
18:20 Conclusion - Why We Decided This Way
19:10 Final Thoughts - Throwing a Wrench Into the Comparison
20:30 Subscribe for Weekly Reviews!

#KiaSeltos #MazdaCX30 #Comparison

[GCCarsCA]

Seltos vs CX-30 vs ??? - Which one would you take? 🤔

We also have some really cool comparisons lined up for future videos 👀

[RamakrishnaLVV]

I've been using my CX-30 for over 3 years now. Muscle memory took me less than a week to get used to the infotainment control knob, yes also with Android Auto. Love the way it looks and drives.

[trev]

I bought my CX-30 GS over the Seltos EX back in 2020. I drove them back to back and it was almost like night and day difference. The CX-30 was so much more quieter and more solid over rough roads and the power was amazing with the standard 2.5L engine. The cabin finish was vastly difference with soft touch material whereas the Seltos had so little soft touch area, just felt way cheaper even though the models I was testing were very close in price, The Seltos does have more cargo room and a bit more leg room in the rear seats (but if you don't push the front seats all the way back on the CX-30 - and yes you still have lots of front leg room it works fine) but that was not that important to me. The infotainment dials does take a bit of getting use to, but once you do it's far easier than a touch screen and with the sloping centre armrest which puts your hand in a natural position to use the dial, you can access all main area without even looking at that area - far safer! Also there is a favourite button where you can save many of your various features like radio stations, map locations, etc - something that many reviewers are not aware of because they only have the vehicle for a short time. It also gives me excellent fuel economy with the standard 2.5L engine. No car is perfect so it's always a compromise.

[mayarabrandao]

I really like the comparison between both cars and your honesty. Thank you.

[Whitesp]

Talk reliability. Mazda vs Kia? No brainer

[ycplum]

I have the 2023 CX-30 turbo in the top trim. It is a really nice car to drive. The engine constantly wants me to go faster. My wife and I are short. My daughter is average height and weight, but she is just two so the interior space isn't an issue.

[davidcd]

I recently bought a CX 30 and I'm so happy with it, I love it, it drives beautifully, I testdrove the Seltos and it was so boring and basic to drive

[andrescastillo]

I really really want to buy the CX30 soon, the only thing I haven't liked the several times I've seen one in person in a parking lot or on the streets is that it looks really small, more like a hatchback than a SUV. Even my Kia Soul looks more like a SUV. I think is because is not that tall. I believe that the average height for this category is 1.60m and the cx30 being 1.54m makes it look really short. But I'm in love with the premium quality of the interior.

[draxoz]

Was considering this cx 30 or the buick envista love both of their styles and premium feel

[meowzic]

I bought a new mazda cx3 in 2016, it's been a good vehicle but it's just too cramped. I do like the kia features in comparison, but I can't help but associate kia with cheapness probably mostly due to working at kia/nissian dealership in the early 2000s when they were at the king of cheap economy. I remember the stock Rio came without a stereo or any kind of infotainment nor power steering lol

[kentohamaoka]

When you buy a Mazda you should do everything in your hand to get a manual, with a manual you can make use of the power you get in the shorter gears, a manual also has a faster 0-60 and better fuel economy. On top of that makes the car more fun to drive since mazda's manual transmission is one of the best in the industry. I have the european version 2.0 E-skyactiveX with 186Hp, I don't miss a turbo. I also don't need a tablet in front of my face when I'm driving, I can perfectly see my google maps in my screen, I can use voice commands and the rest is done with the knob, at this point I can use my infotaiment system without even looking at the screen, just by muscle memory, I'd argue that's a total win. The driving dynamics I get with this crossover are better than many sedands from other brands. Space might not seem much but actually legroom in the backseats is pretty acceptable because my driving position doesn't require me to move the seat all the way back. The one thing I love about my CX-30 is that I ALWAYS turn around to look at it when I exit the parking spot, it's a good looking car, and I can confidently say it looks better with a much more beautiful colour (soul red) than 90 % of the cars parked next to it.

[ninofrigo]

Im a family dude, i would eventually go grocery shopping with my mom and my brother or hang out with some friends like 2 or 3 of them and i like safety and comfort most than speed because i don't speed that much, which one will you recommend me?

[ARIYA]

Mazda is a drivers car, based on the handling & stability, but the Seltos wins in every other category.
Value ✅️
Functionality ✅️
Design ✅️
Speed ✅️
Warranty ✅️
Space ✅️

[jlor]

I'd trust both the Kia and Mazda drivetrain reliability over the Trax any day.

[amytierney]

I have the Kia seltos and it’s fantastic! Don’t knock it till you tried it everyone!

[vincento]

CX30 any day over Seltos. CX30 interior stomps the Kia. How the CX30 drives, another win over the Kia.

[Bghabrah]

every thing i need in one video thanks

[thndercat]

I enjoy the Mazda 30 vs the Kia, I am a single person just me or a friend or luggage or groceries

[Jean-FrançoisVincent-bz]

Small 1.6 turbo Over natural 2.5 . 100% with 2.5 . You Known nothing 😉

[thndercat]

I disagree with both of these guys, The Chevy Trax’s is a joke of a car.