Kia Seltos vs Subaru Crosstrek: reliability compared
From 2021 to 2026, owners filed an average of 96 complaints per model year about the Kia Seltos and 61 about the Subaru Crosstrek.
Side by side
| Kia Seltos | Subaru Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2021-2026 | 2021-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 573 | 363 |
| Complaints per model year | 96 | 61 |
| Recalls | 4 | 4 |
| Years to avoid | 2021 | None stand out |
| Best years | None stand out | None stand out |
| Most common problem | Engine | Visibility |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 25-29 mpg combined (2026) | 26-36 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Seltos | Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 361 | 35 |
| Electrical | 94 | 43 |
| Transmission | 88 | 21 |
| Fuel system | 33 | 8 |
| Driver assistance | 28 | 60 |
| Visibility | 16 | 80 |
| Brakes | 14 | 25 |
Questions about the Kia Seltos vs Subaru Crosstrek
Which is more reliable, the Kia Seltos or the Subaru Crosstrek?
Between 2021 and 2026, the Kia Seltos has 1 year to avoid and the Subaru Crosstrek 0. The Subaru Crosstrek has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Subaru Crosstrek drew fewer complaints per model year (61 vs 96), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Kia Seltos or the Subaru Crosstrek?
From 2021 to 2026, the Kia Seltos was covered by 4 recalls and the Subaru Crosstrek by 4.
What years of the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek should you avoid?
Kia Seltos: 2021. Subaru Crosstrek: no year stands out.
More subcompact SUVs comparisons
Honda HR-V vs Nissan KicksHonda HR-V vs Hyundai KonaChevrolet Trax vs Honda HR-VFord Ecosport vs Honda HR-VHonda HR-V vs Jeep RenegadeHonda HR-V vs Subaru CrosstrekHonda HR-V vs Kia SoulChevrolet Trailblazer vs Honda HR-VHonda HR-V vs Kia SeltosHonda HR-V vs Toyota C-HRFord Bronco Sport vs Honda HR-VHyundai Kona vs Nissan KicksChevrolet Trax vs Nissan KicksFord Ecosport vs Nissan KicksJeep Renegade vs Nissan KicksNissan Kicks vs Subaru CrosstrekKia Soul vs Nissan KicksChevrolet Trailblazer vs Nissan KicksKia Seltos vs Nissan KicksNissan Kicks vs Toyota C-HRFord Bronco Sport vs Nissan KicksChevrolet Trax vs Hyundai KonaFord Ecosport vs Hyundai KonaHyundai Kona vs Jeep Renegade
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car