2024 Kia Seltos vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, introducing subtle yet impactful changes. The updated headlight and grille designs, along with a connecting light strip between the smaller taillight assemblies, gave the Seltos a rejuvenated appearance without a significant price hike. The test model showcased the new "Pluton Blue" paint, which was particularly striking. Inside, the Seltos offered two new interior color options, "Gentle Brown" and "Midnight Green," although the test model featured the standard black interior. A prominent change was the large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan marked the beginning of its third generation with a complete redesign, embracing a modern aesthetic inspired by VW's electric vehicles. The front featured narrower headlights connected by a plastic trim element, reminiscent of the ID.4 EV. The grille appeared larger, with smaller actual openings and prominent air intakes. The side profile showcased a sportier tapering hatch, enhanced by a black contrasting roof and dark-tinted windows. The rear replaced conventional taillights with a single bar spanning the liftgate. Inside, the Tiguan adopted a minimalist design, with a tablet-like infotainment display and a digital instrument panel standard across all trims. The gear selector moved to the steering column, creating additional storage space.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The base LX trim came standard with all-wheel drive, while the S and EX trims offered front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. The X-Line and SX trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in 40-to-60 mph scenarios. The Seltos handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with front-wheel drive as the default and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive available on all models. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to be similar to its predecessor, reaching 60 mph in approximately 8.5 seconds. The drivetrain delivered power smoothly, and the suspension favored comfort while maintaining composure in corners. The Tiguan's cabin was quiet, with well-managed tire and wind noise. A more powerful Turbo engine was anticipated for 2026, offering 268 hp and 258 lb-ft, along with a teased hybrid powertrain.

The 2024 Kia Seltos provided up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 26.6 cubic feet with the seats in use. The SX trim offered a hands-free power liftgate. The Seltos featured an upright seating position with ample headroom and good rear legroom, accommodating taller occupants comfortably. The front seating area included decently sized in-door cupholders and cubbies, while the center console offered a tray for small items. The SX trim included a removable cargo cover.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, increasing second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. Headroom remained sufficient for average-sized adults. The elimination of capacitive-touch buttons improved usability, with traditional controls on the steering wheel. The center console offered more storage, with cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the angled liftgate limited loading of bulkier items. The Tiguan featured remote seatback releases and a power liftgate on all but the base trim.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent digital bezel across trims, with screen sizes varying. The base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and touchscreen. Both systems supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Seltos retained physical controls for volume and climate, with a responsive screen. The SX trim offered an eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display available. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired with a wireless phone charger. Capacitive-touch sliders adorned the screen frame, but a new volume knob improved usability. The Tiguan introduced Atmospheres, combining ambient lighting and audio settings to enhance mood. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available on the top trim.

The 2024 Kia Seltos included standard driver assistance features such as forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-follow assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. The S trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The SX trim offered smart cruise control, traffic sign recognition, highway driving assist, and a junction-turning function for forward collision warning.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not yet available. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, lane-keep assist, safe passenger exit warnings, parking sensors, automatic high beams, and a driver condition monitor. The Emergency Assist system could slow the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. The SE R-Line added a head-up display, while the SEL R-Line included a surround-view camera system and semi-automated parking.