Kia Seltos vs Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure is $29,990 against the Kia Seltos S's $31,250, a $1,260 saving for the Mazda. Both are sharply priced for the small-SUV class and both hold their value well in a deep, popular used market.

Running costs lean to the Mazda, its 6.3L/100km uses about $1,795 a year over 15,000km versus roughly $1,965 for the Seltos's 6.9L/100km. The Seltos answers with the bigger ownership card: a class-leading 7-year / unlimited-kilometre warranty against Mazda's 5 years, two extra years of factory backing that matters over a typical ownership period.

Both are 5-star ANCAP with comprehensive active safety, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise, standard. Both are well-built, sensible small SUVs with ISOFIX points in the rear. There's little to separate them on everyday safety; both are strong family choices.

The Seltos is the more practical of the two. Despite a near-identical footprint, Kia's boxier styling packages a notably roomier rear seat and a bigger, more useful boot, plus a slightly higher driving position that many buyers prefer. It feels the more family-friendly choice.

The CX-30 plays the premium card. Its interior is beautifully finished with quality materials and Mazda's elegant, driver-focused design, and the rotary infotainment controller is safer to use on the move than a touchscreen. The trade-off is a snugger rear seat and smaller boot, the CX-30 prioritises feel over outright space. Both are well-equipped at this entry grade.

Both run 2.0-litre petrol engines, with the CX-30 making slightly more, 114kW and 200Nm against the Seltos's 110kW and 180Nm, and using a little less fuel (6.3 vs 6.9L/100km). The Mazda's six-speed automatic is one of the best in the class, smooth and responsive, which helps it feel the more polished drive despite a leisurely 0–100 time on paper.

Both are front-wheel drive and both are tuned for comfortable, easy commuting rather than outright pace. The CX-30 is the more engaging and efficient; the Seltos is the more relaxed and spacious. Neither is a performance car, and both have higher-output turbo variants available further up their ranges if you want more urge. For most buyers, the choice comes down to cabin feel and economy (CX-30) versus space and warranty (Seltos).