Compare the2025 Kia SeltosVS 2025 Subaru Impreza

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Seltos achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Subaru Impreza has not been tested.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Seltos’ standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Impreza doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Seltos and Impreza offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Impreza’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Seltos and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Seltos is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	Seltos	Impreza
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	112	222
Neck Injury Risk	22.2%	22.4%
Neck Stress	242 lbs.	267 lbs.
Neck Compression	52 lbs.	99 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Seltos is safer than the Impreza:

	Seltos	Impreza
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	135	277
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Chest Rating
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Seltos is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	Seltos	Impreza
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	79	194
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	177	291
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	227	254
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	620 lbs.	721 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Seltos comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Impreza’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Seltos 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Impreza. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Impreza ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 24 percent more Kia dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Seltos’ warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Seltos has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Impreza’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Seltos second among small suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Impreza isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 12th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

Engine

The Seltos X-Line/SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (195 vs. 182) and 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Seltos 4 cyl. is faster than the Subaru Impreza 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	Seltos	Impreza
Zero to 30 MPH	3.6 sec	3.8 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9 sec	9.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.5 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	17.1 sec	17.3 sec

As tested in Motor Trend the Seltos X-Line/SX 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Impreza RS 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	Seltos	Impreza
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.2 MPH	90.1 MPH

Brakes and Stopping

The Seltos stops much shorter than the Impreza:

	Seltos	Impreza
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Seltos has larger standard tires than the Impreza (215/55R17 vs. 205/55R16). The Seltos AWD X-Line/SX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Impreza (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Seltos has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Impreza.

The Seltos has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Impreza; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Seltos has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Impreza doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Seltos is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Impreza.

The Seltos S AWD handles at .85 G’s, while the Impreza RS pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Seltos has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Impreza (7.3 vs. 5.1 inches), allowing the Seltos to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Subaru Impreza.

The Seltos is 3.6 inches shorter than the Impreza, making the Seltos easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Seltos has .2 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the Impreza.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The Impreza’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Seltos EX AWD/SX’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Seltos’ power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Impreza doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Seltos and the Impreza have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Seltos is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Impreza prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Seltos’ driver power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Impreza’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Seltos SX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Impreza doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Seltos and the Impreza offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Seltos has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Impreza doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Model Availability

The Seltos is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Impreza doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Seltos and the Subaru Impreza, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Seltos outsold the Subaru Impreza by almost two to one during 2024.

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