Choosing a compact SUV can be challenging as there are over 20 models for buyers to pick from. Compact SUVs are immensely popular due to their blend of practical interior space and smaller exterior dimensions. Some offer advanced safety features, luxury cabin appointments, and all-wheel-drive systems. Two excellent choices are the 2024 Mazda CX-5 and the 2024 Kia Seltos.
The 2024 Mazda CX-5 received some minor updates this year. Meanwhile, the 2024 Seltos marks the model’s mid-cycle facelift. How do these two compact SUVs compare? Let’s have a CX-5 vs. Seltos comparison to decide. We’ll evaluate each vehicle’s interior, safety, and performance specifications. Then, we can recommend the best compact SUV.
If you’d like to get behind the wheel of a 2024 Mazda CX-5, contact us at Keffer Mazda in Huntersville, NC. We’ll show you around our inventory, help you pick the right trim, and offer you a test drive.
The 2024 Mazda CX-5 offers a spacious 104-cubic-foot passenger cabin. This is larger than the 99-cubic-foot cabin of the 2024 Kia Seltos. If you regularly carry four or five adults, everyone will be more comfortable in the 2024 CX-5. They'll also appreciate the front and rear charging ports, storage pockets, and cup holders around the cabin.
Furthermore, the 2024 CX-5 offers a more luxurious vibe. The base trim comes with leatherette upholstery, while all other trims get leather seats in various colors. On the other hand, the Kia Seltos only offers leather on higher models. The 2024 CX-5 also comes with dual-zone climate control as standard.
The 2024 Seltos has a digital instrument cluster on higher trims, but the 2024 CX-5’s analog instrument cluster offers a clear and easy-to-read experience, even under bright sunlight. Both vehicles have Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity, plus Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity. The 2024 CX-5 also has a 10-speaker Bose sound system on higher trims.
The 2024 CX-5 also has a 30-cubic-foot trunk vs. the 27-cubic-foot in the 2024 Seltos. Moreover, both vehicles offer split-folding rear seats to augment cargo capacity. However, the 2024 CX-5’s back seat has a 40-20-40 tri-fold configuration. This gives buyers more options when balancing passenger and cargo space. The 2024 Seltos sticks with the standard 60-40 configuration.
The 2024 CX-5 comes with Mazda’s i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive system as standard, plus a six-speed automatic transmission on all trims. Buyers get two engines depending on trim selection. The first engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This engine offers ample power for urban and highway driving duties.
Turbo variants come with a powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This engine is rated to deliver 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque when fed 87-octane pump gas. But if you use 93 octane premium gas, you’ll get 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. This enables a 0-60 time of just 6.2 seconds.
The 2024 Kia Seltos range also offers two engines. The base engine is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit. It makes 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Then, there’s a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The base engine gets a CVT gearbox, while the turbocharged engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can pick between front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. The turbocharged engine needs nearly seven seconds in the 0-60 benchmark.
The 2024 Mazda CX-5 comes with a fantastic array of standard safety features. Every trim includes forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Mazda’s Radar Cruise Control with stop-go is also common. In addition, buyers get blind-spot monitoring and a tire pressure monitoring system on all trims.
The 2024 Kia Seltos includes many of these features. However, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring are optional. Both compact SUVs also have airbags, child safety locks, child seat tethers, and daytime running lamps.
The 2024 Mazda CX-5 is an excellent compact SUV. It's better than the 2024 Seltos in our evaluation criteria. So, if you're looking for a comfortable, luxurious, and powerful compact SUV with outstanding driving dynamics and class-leading safety attributes, the 2024 CX-5 is it. Reach out to us at Keffer Mazda to find out how you can take one home today.
