Subcompact SUVs offer all the passenger and cargo space most drivers need, a size small enough to slip through urban traffic, and often, all-wheel-drive (AWD) performance for any weather conditions. Some even do it all with a price tag under $25,000.
Among the most impressive in this segment are the Kia Seltos and the Subaru Crosstrek.
Let’s see how they stack up.
2025 Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos is one of the more well-rounded vehicles in this segment, with low prices, long warranties, and lots of style inside and out. Moreover, it’s also among the roomiest models in the segment. A 2025 freshening gave it an updated interior, more standard equipment, and a few new options. Prices start at $26,085.
Kia Seltos Highlights
More space in most dimensions: The Crosstrek is a competitive car, but it still falls in the subcompact segment. The Seltos has more space for people and more space for stuff with the seats in use or folded. Taller drivers might particularly appreciate its added headroom.
Lower base price, lower loaded price: The base-model Seltos is less expensive than the base-model Crosstrek. Maybe more impressive, though, is that the fully loaded Seltos is less expensive than the fully loaded Crosstrek. It’s more loaded, too – Kia builds almost every available option into the top-of-the-line Seltos SX, while Subaru reserves some major features as added-cost options on even the highest trim of the Crosstrek.
Ten years of predictable budgets: Kia’s vehicles are impressive these days, but its warranties are still its biggest competitive advantage. A 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty means no major surprise repair bills for up to a decade. It’s twice as long as what Subaru has to offer.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kia Seltos models for sale near you.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru’s formula is well-known by now. The brand builds wagon-like SUVs with an excellent all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment and markets them like hiking accessories. The Crosstrek is the smallest and least expensive of Subaru’s SUVs but checks every box on that list. Although it was redesigned last year, its styling over the years has been evolutionary rather than revolutionary because the formula works. Prices start at $27,230.
Subaru Crosstrek Highlights
Standard all-wheel drive: Kia builds the Seltos in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive; however, sending power to all four wheels adds $1,500 to the price of a couple of trim levels. Subaru includes it as standard equipment on every Crosstrek it builds, regardless of price.
Larger engine option: The Crosstrek’s base 2.0-liter engine gets the job done, but Subaru offers a larger and more powerful engine in the top four trim levels for those seeking extra oomph. The available 2.5-liter 4-cylinder emboldens the Crosstrek with 182 horsepower, 30 more than the base engine.
Class-leading ground clearance: If you plan to take your new SUV off-road, the Crosstrek’s higher stance may matter. The Seltos, with 7.3 inches of ground clearance, is typical of subcompact SUVs. The Crosstrek, at 8.7 inches, is not.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Subaru Crosstrek models for sale near you.
Similarities
The base prices of these two are only about $1,000 apart, and their base engines offer almost the same power.
Price
New 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (43085)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$27,980 |
$26,715 |
|||
$29,230 |
$27,730 |
|||
$31,780 |
$30,403 |
|||
$33,680 |
$32,221 |
|||
$34,780 |
$33,274 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia Seltos vehicles and New 2025 Subaru Crosstrek vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Kia Seltos | 2025 Subaru Crosstrek | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 146 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 152 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT automatic | CVT automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 28 city/34 highway/31 combined mpg | 27 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 8-speed automatic; AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | TBD | TBD |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 103.5 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 172.6 inches | 176.4 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 70.9 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 62.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.4 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 36.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.5 inches | 56.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.7 inches | 55.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 26.6/62.8 cubic feet | 19.9/54.7 cubic feet |
Conclusion
You probably won’t go wrong with a Kia Seltos, with its long warranty and well-rounded character. You probably won’t go wrong with a Subaru Crosstrek, either. Its standard all-wheel drive and ample ground clearance make it impressive off-road, and its more powerful engine option gives it a welcome dose of extra power.
If actually heading off-road is in your future, we’d probably go with the Crosstrek for the extra ground clearance and maybe its Wilderness trim. Otherwise, it’s tough to ignore the great warranty that is part of every Kia.
