2024 Kia Seltos vs. 2023 Mazda CX-30

For most Americans, a subcompact SUV is the least-expensive new car that could reasonably meet most of their needs. Most are available for under $25,000. Most also have modern tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (which let you use phone apps through your car’s touchscreen) and are available with near-luxury features like leather seats and premium stereos.

The Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30 are two of the most compelling options in this price range. But they have different personalities that might make some buyers happier with one and others happier with the other. Let’s look closer to determine which might be right for you.

Note that this article compares the 2024 Seltos to the 2023 CX-30 because Kia dealers are already stocking the 2024 model, while Mazda dealers haven’t switched over to the new model CX-30 year yet.

2024 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos won our Best Buy Award in the subcompact SUV class in 2022 and 2023. For 2024, Kia improved it. New styling, a new transmission for turbocharged models, and improved infotainment all appear for the new model year. It’s a well-rounded daily driver with more passenger and cargo space than most rivals and has a class-leading warranty to sweeten the deal over the long term. Pricing starts at $24,390.

Kia Seltos Highlights

Bigger interior: If you got nervous when we used the term “subcompact” above, get a Seltos. It has cargo space that rivals bigger cars and more legroom than most competitors. The CX-30 will meet your needs if small is fine with you. But the Seltos gives you a margin for error when picking up an oversized purchase or packing for a road trip.

Saves you at the pump: According to the EPA, the Seltos gets up to 31 combined mpg with front-wheel drive (FWD), 29 with AWD, and 26 with its optional more powerful turbo engine. The CX-30 tops out at 29 and 25 with the turbo. It’s not often that the bigger option saves you money every time you fill up.

10-year warranty: Kia continues to offer the industry’s best warranty. That’s an important long-term consideration. Its 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty make owning your next car for a long time more affordable. Mazda gives you a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper plan and five years or 60,000 miles for the powertrain.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kia Seltos models for sale near you.

2023 Mazda CX-30

Mazda has carved out a nice niche in the affordable car market with corner-carving, athletic cars suitable for everyday driving. The 2023 Mazda CX-30 is the most affordable vehicle Mazda makes. It has the usual Mazda pros: great handling, sinuous looks, and an interior that feels more premium than its price tag. Pricing starts at $22,950.

Mazda CX-30 Highlights

Standard AWD: There’s a good chance you’re looking at SUVs, not sedans, because you want the added sense of security that comes from AWD. It’s standard on the CX-30. Kia makes it standard on some trim levels and a fairly expensive option on others.

Lower price: The CX-30’s sticker starts at almost $1,500 lower than the one on the window of the Seltos. And that includes AWD. We should caution that moving up in trim level reverses this; the top of the Seltos lineup is less expensive than the most well-equipped CX-30.

That Mazda driving feel: The Seltos handles just fine for your everyday needs. But the CX-30 is more agile, and its optional 250-horsepower turbocharged engine offers almost silly power at this price point. The Seltos has a turbo option, too, but it just gets the Seltos up to about the same quickness as the base-model CX-30.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Mazda CX-30 models for sale near you.

Similarities

These both offer optional turbocharged engines and standard Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Conclusion

We find it hard to argue against the well-rounded character and long warranty of the Seltos. It’s especially attractive as you start adding features, and the price stays reasonable. It will be the right choice for many.

But if you want to enjoy driving, you might be happier in a CX-30. It’s less spacious and lacks the long warranty. But it’s more fun to drive, and its upscale-feeling cabin is impressive at this price point.

A test drive of each will help you decide if you’re torn between these two.

Specs