Skoda Karoq Vs Kia Seltos: Who Is Cooler

2023 Author: Natalie MacDonald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 13:59

In late February - early March, two new items will be released on the Russian market at once, which have every chance of becoming bestsellers. It's about SkodKaroq and KiSeltos. Both will gather in Russia, a lot is already known about each of them, and both are targeting the same, very broad audience. We have already traveled on one of them, on the second we will train very soon and we will definitely arrange a full-fledged comparison when both models go on sale. In the meantime, let's compare the two contenders for the first lines of the charts in absentia in five main parameters.

Round 1. Dimensions

The SkodKaroq, like most of the Volkswagen Group's compact cars, is built on a scalable MQB bogie. This means that the drive of the machine can be either front or full, and the engines are installed only transversely. Since Karoq is positioned as the successor to SkodYeti, the crossover has turned out to be quite compact: the length is 4382 mm, the width is 1841 mm, and the height is 1603 mm. The wheelbase is 2638 millimeters. The ground clearance is only 163 millimeters - the result is far from outstanding.

But the Korean competitor turned out to be more compact in almost all respects: length - 4370 millimeters (12 millimeters less), width - 1800 millimeters (41 millimeters less), wheelbase - 2630 millimeters (8 millimeters shorter). Only in height Seltos is ahead of its Czech competitor: Seltos has reached 1615 millimeters (plus 12 millimeters), and the ground clearance is 185 millimeters (20 millimeters more).

Judging by the width of the cabin in the area of the shoulders, as well as the distance from the seat cushion to the ceiling, the Karoq will be more comfortable for passengers in the back row: for Skoda, these figures are 1445 and 1020 millimeters, respectively, for Ki- 1395 and 975 millimeters.

SkodKaroq

1

KiSeltos

0

Round 2. Trunk

Trunk volume is one of the most important criteria when choosing a crossover. In the case of Ki, the buyer receives a two-level compartment, in the underground of which either a dock or a full-size spare wheel can be located. With a full-fledged spare tire, the trunk volume will be 433 liters, with a compact dock - 468. At the same time, it is possible to fold the backs of the second row (in a ratio of 60:40), but how much the volume will increase in this case, the automaker does not specify.

In the boot space, the Skod is again in front: with the rear seat backs up, the cargo compartment volume is an impressive 500 liters. But if you lower the backrests, and they are here divided into three sections, the trunk will increase to 1609 liters! The trunk lid of the Karoq can be equipped with an electric drive for a surcharge, as well as a sensor under the bumper that reacts to the swing of the foot and opens the fifth door.

SkodKaroq

2

KiSeltos

0

Round 3. Motors

If in Western Europe Karoq is offered with a wide range of gasoline and diesel engines, which are combined with both “mechanics” and “robot” DSG, then in Russia the Skod crossover will at first be sold with one engine, one gearbox and one type of drive. …

In the Russian Federation, Karoq can be bought exclusively with front-wheel drive and only with a 1.4 TSI petrol engine with a capacity of 150 horsepower. The motor is combined with an eight-speed automatic. Later, a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated MPI will be added to the line of power units, which will be paired with either a six-speed "mechanics" or a six-speed "automatic". An all-wheel drive version of the crossover with a 1.4 engine will appear - in this case, the automatic transmission will give way to a robotic one. But all this will happen later.

Seltos, on the other hand, has a much wider choice of propulsion systems. There are already three motors. Base - 1.6-liter naturally aspirated, the power of which, depending on the type of drive, will be either 121 (all-wheel drive) or 123 horsepower (front-wheel drive). It can be aggregated with a 6-speed "mechanics" or with a 6-speed "automatic". A two-liter aspirated 150 hp, in turn, will work only with a variator. Well, the 1.6-liter T-GDI turbo engine with 177 hp. can only be combined with a robotic transmission with two clutches.

At the same time, all-wheel drive is available with any of the motors. And only Seltos with a turbocharged engine will have it by default. For atmospheric crossovers, front-wheel drive will become basic. Total - the first point in the Seltos piggy bank.

SkodKaroq

2

KiSeltos

1

Round 4. Options

At the start of sales, Karoq is offered in two trim levels - Ambition and Style. But soon the basic Active will join them, which will make the prices for Karoq a little more attractive.

The Ambition version features LED taillights, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, rain sensor, and a 6.5-inch multimedia system. If there is an urgent need for front parking sensors, adaptive headlights, keyless entry system, heated steering wheel and SmartLink system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, then you will have to take the flagship version of Style.

Ki has six configurations. Six! The basic Classic version is offered only for cars with a 1.6 engine with a manual and automatic transmission. It includes a simple audio system with a monochrome screen and six speakers, a tilt-adjustable rear seat backrest, a multifunction steering wheel and … that's it.

The Comfort package is one step higher. It is also available only with a 1.6 engine, but for an additional payment of 70 thousand rubles, compared to Classic, heating of the front seats and steering wheel is already provided. The next level is Luxe, which is offered for both 1.6 and 2.0. This version adds climate control, a multimedia complex with an 8-inch screen, and parking sensors with a rear-view camera.

Even more expensive - Style. The motors are the same, but there are more "buns", the main highlight is the LED optics in a circle.

Finally, the two most luxurious trim levels are Prestige and Premium. The first is available for all three engines, the second is available only for the top two. In the Prestige, the customer will receive heated rear seats, a keyless entry system, a Bose audio system, and advanced multimedia with a 10.25-inch screen. Well, Premium will give an unheard-of luxury for the class in the form of ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a parking aid system.

And although Karok will initially be presented in Russia with a small set of basic configurations, he, unlike Seltos, has an extensive list of options, which means that the car can be literally assembled for yourself. Therefore, everyone gets a point.

SkodKaroq

3

KiSeltos

2

Round 5. Prices

Until the Active equipment reaches our latitudes, Karoq will cost at least 1,499,000 rubles. For the Style option, you will have to fork out for 1,673,000 rubles. And do not forget about additional equipment: it is worth overdoing it a little with checkmarks and the price of Karoq will break the bar of 2 million rubles. For example, the blind spot monitoring system will cost 31,900 rubles, and another 22,700 will have to be paid for the electric drive of the boot lid. And so on.

Ki does not have a long list of additional equipment. Except for the metallic paint, you will have to pay extra. But the price range is quite wide: the basic Classic costs 1,099,900 rubles; Comfort, as already mentioned, is 70 thousand more expensive; Luxe is another 150 thousand more expensive. The most expensive version of Seltos - with a 1.6-liter 177-horsepower turbo engine and in the Premium configuration - will cost 1,999,900 rubles, and it is cheaper than Karok.

Of course, when SkodKaroq has a four-wheel drive version and a more affordable basic version, Czech customers will have the same scope for imagination as potential buyers of a Korean SUV. But until this happens, we give the point to Seltos.

Final invoice

SkodKaroq

3

KiSeltos