Many people can buy small SUVs, but they’re not the biggest market in the car business. Both the 2022 Ford Escape and the 2022 Kia Selto are great SUVs. Both have many perks, but they are made for different types of customers. To help you decide, this list compares speed, space, technology, safety, cost, and more.
Design and Features of the Outside
2022 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape has a sleek, modern look. The 2022 Ford Escape looks better than older models because it has smooth surfaces, soft edges, and a higher stance. A wide grille in front and bright lights give it a modern look. The Escape’s design strikes a mix between usefulness and style, making it appealing to people who live in cities and those who don’t.
Ford makes a lot of different types of Escape that all look different. The Titanium version has wider 19-inch wheels, silver trim, and a Panoramic Vista Roof that makes the driver and passengers feel like they are in a room that is bigger than they are.
2022 Kia Seltos
Kia made changes to the 2022 Seltos that made it more valuable and good for the outdoors. With more ground clearance and a sharp front grille, its boxy, powerful shape makes it look like it can go off-road. It seems strong and sure of itself, with a tiger-nose grille and wide headlights that make it stand out from other small SUVs.
The different trim levels of the Selto are LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX Turbo. The Nightfall Edition has black trim on the outside for a sportier look. Performance-focused SX Turbo trims have metal wheels, a more robust front lip, and other design features.
You can get the Seltos from Kia in Neptune Blue and Starbright Yellow. These colours make it look younger and fresher against its tough shell.
Winner: The Escape and the Seltos are valid, but the Ford Escape looks fancy and fits better with city life. The Kia Seltos look rugged and ready for off-road adventures.
Comfort and space inside
Ford Escape
In the Ford Escape, you’ll find a nice and cosy car. Inside, there is room for five people. Ford put the comfort of the occupants first in the Mustang, even in the base trim level. The ActiveX seat material is both comfortable and long-lasting. The interior looks better with leather seats and Titanium trim.
The second row of seats in the Escape is flexible, so people can change how much space they have. If you fold down the back seats, 65.4 cubic feet of space is behind the second row, which is good for a small SUV.
Features:
- It has a strong and nice interior with ActiveX seats that are less trimmed.
- Better grades have full-size seats with leather trim.
- 12.3-inch digital instrument centre with silver trim
- Automatic temperature control in two areas for your comfort
- The Ford Escape has enough space and ease for extended trips or daily commutes.
Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos has more space inside than the Escape, even though it’s smaller. There are five seats in the Seltos, and it is well put together. There is less space in the second row than in the Escape, but it’s still enough for short and long trips. The upper trim looks classy, thanks to the Sofino leatherette seating.
There are 26.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seats in the Seltos, which is enough for families and everyday use. There’s enough space for road trips and big things because the back seats fold to 62.8 cubic feet.
Features:
- Premium Sofino suede for the seats
- Higher grades only have a 10.25-inch tablet for easy entertainment.
- Bose music system for excellent sound
- Vents in the back air vents make passengers more comfortable.
- Even though it’s not quite as big as the Escape, the Seltos has excellent space for a small SUV and is pretty comfortable.
Winner: The Ford Escape wins because it has more space inside and for goods. There is more comfort in the Kia Seltos, even in the most expensive models.
Engines and Performance
2022 Ford Escape
With all its good points, the Escape has stayed exciting under the hood, offering a range of engines for different driving styles. There are choices for everyone in the Escape that are both fuel-efficient and fast:
1) 1.5L EcoBoost Engine
- Horsepower: 181 hp
- Torque: 190 lb-ft of power
- Standard: AWD is optional, and FWD is Standard.
- Tranm: 8 Speed Automatic transmission
2) 2.0L EcoBoost Engine
- Horsepower: 250 hp
- Torque: 280 lb-ft of power
- Standard: AWD
- Transmission: Eight-speed automatic transmission
3) Hybrid Engine
- Horsepower: 200 horsepower ( Combined)
- Speed: 44 MPG city / 37 MPG highway
The 2.0L EcoBoost engine is strong enough to pull more. The 3,500-pound tow rating is excellent for boats and small trailers.
Winner: The Ford Escape has a more significant range of powertrains thanks to its high-efficiency hybrid and the best engine.
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2022 Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos has two engines, but they’re not as powerful as the Ford Escape:
1) 2.0L four-cylinder Engine
- Horsepower: 146 hp
- Torque: 132 lb-ft of torque
- Standard: AWD is available, but FWD comes standard.
- Transmission: CVT Variable Transmission
2) 1.6L Turbocharged Engine (SX Turbo)
- Horsepower: 175 hp
- Torque: 195 lb-ft of power
- Standard: AWD is available
- Transmission: Dual 7-speed clutch automatic transmission
The Seltos can have a potent turbocharged engine, but it still can’t perform as well or haul as much as the Escape. The Seltos has a turbocharged engine and quick driving.
Winner: The Ford Escape is better than the others because it has more potent engines and can pull more.
Technology and Connectivity
2022 Ford Escape
Another great thing about the Escape is Ford’s SYNC 3 entertainment system, which works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims have a 12.3-inch digital panel and a B&O sound system, while lower trims have an 8-inch tablet.
Standard is FordPass Connect, a smartphone app that lets drivers start, check and find their Fords.
Features:
- SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- A high-quality B&O sound system is available.
- FordPass Connect has a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Co-Pilot 360 driver-assist system has.
2022 Kia Seltos
Another good choice is the Kia Seltos, which has a similar cabin but a more up-to-date entertainment system for better grades. The 10.25-inch tablet is simple, innovative, quick, and works with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice prompts. With the UVO link connection app, you can run your car from afar.
Stereo that’s easy to use: the SX Turbo has Bose sound. You can get blind-spot tracking, back cross-traffic warning, and lane-keeping assistance from Kia.
Winner: The Ford Escape wins. The gadgets in the Ford Escape are great, but the Seltos’ well-rounded setup is also impressive. Ford is better than Kia because it has a better touchscreen system and extras like the B&O sound system for the Escape.
Safety Features
The 2022 Ford Escape and 2022 Kia Seltos come with several safety features meant to help the driver. Every Ford Escape comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 [7], a set of high-tech tools that allow the driver.
Ford Escape
- Emergency brakes for cars
- Watch out for blind spots.
- Keep your lane clear.
- Cruise control changes.
Safety features on the Kia Selto include Kia Drive Wise and the following:
Kia Seltos
- Alert for a forward crash
- Warning for lane departure
- Drivers should be warned.
- Cruise control changes.
Winner: The Ford Escape has more and better basic safety features than the Volkswagen Tiguan, so it wins this round, even though some of the features are the same.
Prices and Value
2022 Ford Escape
The base model from Ford is priced well at $27,000, which is about the same as other SUVs on the market. Upgrades like the Titanium cost at least $37,000 and add more technology and comfort.
2022 Kia Seltos
Buying the Kia Seltos LX costs less, starting at $22,000. The best SX Turbo model costs $28,000, which makes it a better deal than the Ford Escape.
Winner: The Kia Seltos is the less expensive car, so people tight on cash can ride. As you clean up the Ford Escape, it gets fancier.
Conclusion
What Makes the 2022 Ford Escape and 2022 Kia Seltos Better? Power, technology, and safety. The Ford Escape is a great small SUV with a nice cabin, many engine options, and great towing power. It looks good, runs well, is comfortable inside, and has many tech features and options that make it easy to serve families and people who want something fancier on the road.
The Kia Seltos is a cheaper SUV with a weird look, a strong forced-induction engine, and a nice interior. Perfect for people on a budget or who want a small, fast SUV.
In the end, your income and goals are the most important things. Better gas mileage, interior space, or a long-lasting, feature-packed, low-cost SUV? No matter what, you’ll get a great small SUV for your needs.