Kia Seltos v Nissan Qashqai v Subaru Crosstrek 2023 comparison review: Best new small SUV crowned!

The Small SUV segment was already hotly contested, but the competition recently got a lot hotter with the arrival of the new 2023 Nissan Qashqai and Subaru Crosstrek. So, we've pitted those two crossovers against a class leader, the facelifted Kia Seltos.

The Qashqai, of course, has entered its second generation with a much more contemporary design inside and out, while the Crosstrek is the evolutionary successor to the well-known XV. And then the Seltos is one of the great sales success stories in recent times.

So, in this expert comparison review, CarsGuide Journalist Tom White finds out the individual strengths and weaknesses of the Qashqai, Crosstrek and Seltos to help you decide which one is right for you. But don't worry; an overall winner is still crowned!

#Kia #Seltos #Nissan #Qashqai #Subaru #Crosstrek #Review

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Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

00:20 Pricing and features

02:47 Design

04:07 Cabin practicality - Seltos

06:00 Cabin practicality - Crosstrek

08:40 Cabin practicality - Qashqai

10:50 Boot space

11:37 Under the bonnet

12:02 Efficiency

12:34 Driving - Seltos

14:49 Driving - Crosstrek

16:46 Driving - Qashqai

18:23 Safety

19:19 Ownership

19:39 Verdict

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CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

[rosspane]

Crosstrek for ride comfort, comfortable seats & AWD stability & grip in bad conditions & gravel roads, but Seltos for larger boot for bigger family & long warranty 😁

[sedarhenri]

This comparison feels weird. It wasn't on equal grounds. To know the best value for money you need to use the same budget or top/lowest trim of each

[aerienix]

While the Crosstrek misses out on front sensors, I do believe it gets a trail cam and surround view camera from the R grade up, more than making up for that.

[Hawks]

We bought Seltos Sports + AWD and loved the extra power it comes with, no more CVT droning sound which used to drive me nuts :)

[twinjuke]

Great review. A Nissan e-Power owner here. I love it almost in every aspect. My only issues with it: legal confirmation every time you sit in, the air conditioning uses too strong air blow, even when the temperature is at the desired degree, the fuel consumption diagnostic features are VERY poor, the car would deserve a way better UI for seeing the current consumption. The Bose is a joke. Until you listen to it at low volume, it's okay, but from mid to high volume just loses its dynamic sounding. The middle screen in dark is a bit too bright to me even at lowest settings (I like to dim the screens in every car to decrease peripheric light pollution). Now what I like and why I would never buy anything else from the current market: e-Power ACTUALLY feels like an electric car (instant reactions, dynamic power, silence, etc) but without any fears attached to charging the car. Also I love the HUD (from Tekna and Tekna+). I love the safety systems even despite its a bit "too safe". I love the cockpit noise, I mean the lack of noise... I really love it. I love the doors (85° opening), the big-enough trunk, the modern-ish dashboard and the premium-like materials. I like the angle of sight from the driver's seat and though I needed to buy a wireless adapter to use Android Auto without cables, but it works perfectly. The matrix LED is also phenomenal, works perfectly and strong as the sun. :) All-in-all, the best allrounder compact SUV on the market for me. (if you are thinking which car to buy, check the e-Power Qashqai lastly, as you won't like any hybrid alternatives after that. (just remember if you don't listen to me... I told ya' ;)).

[richardabbot]

My daughter bought a Seltos 1 year ago. I think I love it as much as she does. It's brilliant

[pullsockoff]

2024 Kia Seltos in Canada, X-Line trim has 18 “ wheels, power seats driver and passenger. Also a/c Seats, Heated rear seats, Bose stereo, Awd., LED headlights, taillights do I say more!! That’s why I waited for a 2024 Kia Seltos

[luckycricket]

Subie wins on so many levels and is the only one that stands out at all. Symmetrical AWD is what this segment should be all about. The others are just raised hatchbacks.

[Mgoblagulkablong]

I would take the Crosstreck for ride / suspension comfort and reliability.

[Shambles]

To me I will choose qashqai because of epower and it's good looking car 👌

[paranormalchef]

If the Subie had a 2.5 l it would wipe the floor with everything. The xv/ crosstrek has out sold the Forster for years . They should just can the forry and pump their energy and resources into the Crosstrek . They are clearly aware that giving the Crosstrek more power will take all the sales away from the Forester.

[TheNotbremse]

Hi. Can you tell me what tire and rim fits the spare wheel? It is not available in Spain. You can buy a normal one but you lose a lot of trunk space. Thanks in advance!

[tabuu]

Love my 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross exceed, reliability and simplicity preferred. 10 Yr warranty no brainer.

[trojanhman]

new coming out now says that car prices are about to crash. There has been a bubble created that is about to burst. I would be interested to hear what you as the pros in the game, are hearing behind the curtain. Some US sites are stating an 88% drop in prices. I know that in China, cars are selling at 50% off. What can we expect here in Australia in terms of the discount and when those discounted prices will come in?

[lebxwski]

This is perfect. I was just trying to find a comparison of these earlier today!

[shivanggaur]

can you do reviews for xuv700 and Scorpio as well

[worrywart]

For attributes did he really say "a-tributes"? Try "att-ributes" when using it as a noun.

[RiverDanube]

This is a very impressive review, best I've seen.

[Shockiiie]

Urban city and driving Alleyway. KIA Seltos is probably the best. Plus 2.0 Gas engine. You get more than enough power.

[michaelflinn]

I'm making the difficult decision between the Kia and Subaru right now.... I prefer the Kia by a small margin but because of the poorly maintained roads in my neck of the woods I'll probably go for the comfort of the Crosstrek.