The Kia Seltos and Renault Kadjar have loads of showroom appeal, but in a category where
value for money is crucial, does the Renault do enough to offset its sort of warranty?
Let's find out.
While the Kia costs $3000 less than the Renault, both models deliver a good blend of safety,
technology and interior space.
Challenging top sellers like the Mitsubishi ASX and Hyundai Kona, the Kia has a giant
infotainment screen as its draw card feature, while the Renault relies on its stylish European
design.
These two are pretty close in terms of capped priced servicing costs, with only a 100 bucks
between them over three years, but take into account the Kia's seven-year warranty, which
trumps the Renault's five years, and it starts to make for a more appealing deal.
Despite the term "Small SUV", these vehicles are rapidly growing in size.
The Kia has more boot space, but the Renault has more amenity.
Check out the secret floor compartments, and these covers double as cargo dividers.
It's pretty cool.
Both have 60-40 split seats, but the Renault gets more room when they're folded down, and
in the latter, it can be done from the back seat as well.
As for the back seat, well, the Seltos is surprisingly roomy.
I'm six foot tall, and I've got plenty of knee room, leg room and headroom.
I wouldn't be upset to spend a lot of time back here.
Seat comfort is good, and there's a fold down arm rest with twin cup holders, there are
also two ISO fix and three top tether anchorages for child seats.
Back in the Kadjar and knee room, not quite as good, leg room not as good either, and
the seat is closer to the ground, which lifts your knees a bit.
Head room, definitely worse and that's because of the panoramic glass roof.
But unlike the Seltos, it gets air vents and two USB ports, which will be a godsend if
you've got kids.
There's also a fold down arm rest for extra comfort.
Right.
The captain's chair of the Seltos, and this is really nice.
Fit and finish is great.
Ah, this Kia shifter, gorgeous.
The driving position, really good.
The way the controls are labelled and set out, very sensible.
And the seats, really nice.
They've got a bit of a Nordic look and feel and really comfortable too.
But the draw card feature is a class leading 10.2 inch touch screen.
It has super crisp visuals, can split the screen three ways and even allows two phones
to be wirelessly connected at once, allowing for multiple apps to run simultaneously.
The infotainment system is intuitive and functional and works with Android Auto and Apple Car
Play.
It also has a self-dimming rear-view mirror and the reversing camera is okay with a so-so
resolution.
Well, as for the Kadjar, it can't match the Kia for fit and finish, it just doesn't have
that same quality feel.
The controls aren't as elegant, the materials don't have the same quality, and even the
gear shifter looks and feels a bit old.
But you can see why it's more expensive, fitted with heated front seats, power adjustable
for the driver, climate-controlled, a high quality Bose stereo and a lovely panoramic
glass roof, none of which the Kia has.
It also gets a lovely digital instrument panel, adding a high-tech feel.
Sadly, this modern look and feel is sorely lacking where the infotainment system is concerned.
The seven-inch touch screen is significantly smaller than the Kia's, and it looks and feels
cheap, and the lack of a volume dial is irritating.
The R-link infotainment system is average, slow at times and not very intuitive, but
Apple Car Play and Android Auto are its saving grace.
Despite Renault's extra features, the Kia's epic infotainment system and high quality
fit out, make it the top choice here.
Alright, time to get moving to see how they compare on the road.
So we're starting in the Seltos, and it's a great little urban runabout.
And it has surprisingly good ride comfort.
Part of that is because of the small 17-inch alloy wheels.
They give a bit more give, and the other part is the Aussie suspension tune.
It's tailored for Aussie conditions.
So while you get that engagement and the good steering, it's also quite fun to drive.
It's a good urban runabout.
Generally smooth and quiet in operation.
Power output is ample, channelled to all four wheels via seven-speed dual clutch automatic.
Ride comfort in the Kadjar isn't bad, but it's not as smooth as the Kia.
It doesn't absorb lumps and bumps in the road quite as effectively.
Part of that's due to the big 19-inch alloy wheels.
Don't get me wrong, they look great, but they do tend to thump loudly over speed bumps and
things like that.
The Renault runs a smaller turbo petrol engine also hooked up to a seven-speed dual clutch
automatic transmission, and it's a neat pairing.
Claimed to be more fuel efficient, 6.3 for the Renault and 7.6 for the Kia, our real
world testing bore this out.
And both have enough safety tech to warrant a five-star NCAP safety rating.
But the Kadjar's autonomous emergency braking system doesn't work at higher speeds like
in the Seltos and it also misses out on active lane keep assist.
That said, the Kadjar is a big step up for Renault.
It drives well, looks great and gets premium items not found on the Kia, but it can't match
the Koreans' fit and finish, tech or interior space.
While both cars deserve an award for their stupid names, ultimately the Kia's longer
warranty and lower service costs make it the deserved winner.