Compare the2025 Buick EnvistaVS 2025 Kia Seltos

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Envista and the Seltos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Envista is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Envista	Seltos
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	210 lbs.	242 lbs.
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	52 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	93/94 lbs.	371/423 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	281	308
Neck Stress	220 lbs.	239 lbs.
Neck Compression	97 lbs.	135 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	196/237 lbs.	387/46 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Envista is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Envista	Seltos
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	405 lbs.	447 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Buick Envista is safer than the Seltos:

	Envista	Seltos
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis Force	1227 lbs.	1383 lbs.
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	134 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.77 in	2.17 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.57 in	2.01 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	14 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The Envista’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Seltos’ (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

There are over 16 percent more Buick dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Envista’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

Engine

The Envista’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Envista has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Seltos doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Envista’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Seltos:

	Envista	Seltos
Front Rotors	11.8 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.3 inches	10.3 inches

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Envista has standard Intelligent Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Envista stops shorter than the Seltos:

	Envista	Seltos
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	128 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Envista has larger standard tires than the Seltos (225/60R17 vs. 215/55R17). The Envista’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Seltos (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Envista offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Seltos’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Envista has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Seltos doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Envista’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Seltos (106 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

The Envista Sport Touring handles at .82 G’s, while the Seltos S pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Envista Sport Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Seltos S (27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Envista uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Seltos doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Envista uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Seltos doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Envista has .5 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and .7 inches more rear legroom than the Seltos.

Towing

The Envista can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Envista can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Seltos can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 38% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

The Envista’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Seltos does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Envista’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Seltos has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Envista’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Seltos’ standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Envista’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Seltos doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Envista has standard Pushbutton Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Envista’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Seltos’ manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Envista’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Seltos’ standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Envista’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX.

The Envista Avenir’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Seltos offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the Envista’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Seltos doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Compared to traditional radio, the Buick Envista’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Seltos and is not availble on the Seltos LX.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Buick Envista and the Kia Seltos, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2024 issue and they ranked the Buick Envista Sport Touring higher than the Kia Seltos SX.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Envista third among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Seltos isn’t in the top three.

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