The 2024 Kia Seltos and 2024 Mazda CX-30 are leaders in the subcompact SUV class, prized for their modern styling, contemporary technology, and affordable price points. Their compact dimensions and fuel-efficient motors make them ideal for city driving. But which one is the right vehicle for you? We compare these quality subcompact SUVs to help you make the best decision for your needs and budget.
Interior Space
The 2024 Kia Seltos and 2024 Mazda CX-30 have similar dimensions, with the Kia nearly 2 inches taller and the Mazda 0.4 inches longer. This means you’ll find them both just as easy to navigate through traffic and move in and out of parking spaces. However, clever design makes the Kia feel much larger than it actually is. It boasts 99.6 cubic feet of passenger space, much more than the Mazda’s 94.1 cubic feet. You’ll notice the difference when you compare headroom in the front and legroom in the back.
You’ll also enjoy a lot more cargo space in the Seltos. It has 26.6 cubic feet in the trunk with all the seats in place, compared to 20.2 cubic feet in the CX-30. When you fold the seats down, you’ll see a clear difference. With 62.8 cubic feet in the Kia, there’s plenty of space for everything you need. The Mazda only offers 45.2 cubic feet, so you might have to leave the golf clubs at home.
Personalization Options
One of the great joys of purchasing a new car is choosing the colors that speak to you. With 10 exterior color options, the Seltos provides a little more variety than the CX-30.
Mazda focuses on the classics. There are three different shades of white and two shades of gray, with Platinum Quartz as an additional shade of gray under a different name. Soul Red Crystal is the boldest color choice. By contrast, Kia isn’t afraid to shake things up. Traditionalists will appreciate hues such as Steel Gray, Fusion Black, and Clear White. However, there are also some fun colors, including Mars Orange, Pluton Blue, and Valais Green, for motorists who enjoy turning heads.
All the Mazda CX-30 vehicles have matching roof and body colors for a cohesive appearance. It’s a classic look, but you have more options if you choose the Seltos. Kia offers a few exterior colors with contrasting roofs, just to keep things interesting.
Fuel Economy
Subcompact SUVs are always fuel-efficient vehicles, but the Kia is the best choice if you want to minimize your carbon footprint and expense at the pump. According to the EPA, the Seltos with front-wheel drive gets up to 31 mpg combined. Choosing the all-wheel drive reduces fuel efficiency to 29 mpg combined, while maximizing performance with a turbo engine drops it to 26 mpg combined. These figures are better than Mazda’s fuel-efficiency ratings. The CX-30 with a standard engine gets 29 mpg combined, which falls to 25 mpg combined if you opt for the turbo.
Infotainment Features
Both auto manufacturers treat their customers to a host of top tech features for their safety, convenience, and entertainment. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in the Seltos and the CX-30, so you can access your contacts and favorite playlists via any device. Some drivers will also appreciate the AM/FM stereo on board each vehicle. A six-speaker sound system comes standard on both vehicles, but you’ll want a higher trim if you’re a true audiophile. Thanks to Bose’s partnership with both brands, its celebrated sound systems are available in both top-end vehicles.
Safety Features
Both Kia and Mazda believe that all their customers should feel confident behind the wheel, so they equip all trim levels with comprehensive driver-assistance features. The Seltos comes with Kia Drive Wise, while the CX-30 has the i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies. These driver-assistance systems have many of the same features, including brake assist, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Both vehicles also have electronic stability and traction controls to help you feel more stable on the road.
Kia and Mazda don’t forget about the traditional safety features that really matter to you either. These subcompact SUVs both have front and passenger air bags, child-safety locks, and anti-theft systems. The Seltos also has an alarm, which isn’t standard on the CX-30.
Price
Many people love subcompact SUVs because they’re so affordable. The latest offerings from Kia and Mazda are both accessible if you’re looking for a bargain, but the Kia has a slight edge. You can pick up a new Seltos for $24,490, while the new CX-30 has an MSRP of $24,995. Admittedly, it’s not a massive difference, but it shows Kia’s commitment to providing customers value for money.
Once you look at the top end of the range, the price difference is more noticeable. The 2024 Kia Seltos SX has an MSRP of $30,090, making this high-end subcompact SUV much more affordable than the 2024 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus at $36,800.
Warranty
After spending thousands of dollars on a vehicle, the last thing you want to do is spend more on unexpected repairs. While the Seltos and CX-30 both come with comprehensive new car warranties, the more generous Kia warranty provides peace of mind for longer. Kia offers the best warranties in the automotive industry with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Mazda’s three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty fall short here.
Test-Drive the 2024 Kia Seltos Today at Tom Kadlec Kia
While both subcompact SUVs are high-quality vehicles, the new KIA SUV’s more spacious interior, lower price point, longer warranties, and range of personalization options give it the edge for us. But don’t just take our word for it. Test-drive the latest Kia Seltos for yourself at our Rochester, Minnesota, dealership. Our sales team would love to introduce you to these vehicles and tell you about our amazing financing and trade-in deals.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.