Small SUV Comparison
Volkswagen Taos Vs. Hyundai Kona Vs. Kia Seltos
All three are two-row, five-seat small SUVs, but the Volkswagen Taos is the only one with a turbocharged engine and an 8-speed automatic in every trim.
Volkswagen Taos: turbo power and VW's IQ.DRIVE suite as standard, with available 4MOTION all-wheel drive for Akron drivers.
Hyundai Kona: a big standard touchscreen and a choice of standard or turbo engines.
Kia Seltos: upright styling and front- or all-wheel drive on most trims.
Engines and Gearboxes Set Them Apart
Seating is a wash, so the real split is what's under the hood.
Standard Engine
Transmission
Taos, Kona, and Seltos Side by Side
Eight decision points for each small SUV, lined up row by row.
| Decision Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Small SUV seating five |
| Powertrain | 1.5L turbo four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic |
| Drive System | Front-wheel drive or available 4MOTION all-wheel drive |
| Passenger and Cargo Fit | Two rows with a split-folding rear seat |
| Technology | Standard digital displays and wireless phone connectivity |
| Driver Assistance | IQ.DRIVE standard, including adaptive cruise and lane assist |
| Defining Strength | Turbo power and a conventional automatic in every trim |
| Best Match | Commuters who want highway pep without paying for a top trim |
| Decision Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Small SUV seating five |
| Powertrain | 2.0L four-cylinder standard; 1.6L turbo available |
| Drive System | Front-wheel drive standard; all-wheel drive available across the lineup |
| Passenger and Cargo Fit | Two rows with a roomy cabin for the class |
| Technology | 12.3-inch touchscreen standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Driver Assistance | Hyundai SmartSense standard, including stop-and-go adaptive cruise |
| Defining Strength | The biggest standard touchscreen of the three |
| Best Match | Screen-focused drivers who live in phone navigation |
| Decision Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Small SUV seating five |
| Powertrain | 2.0L four-cylinder with a CVT; 1.6L turbo on the top trim |
| Drive System | Front- or all-wheel drive on most trims; the turbo is AWD only |
| Passenger and Cargo Fit | Two rows, with upright styling that frees up interior room |
| Technology | 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim, 10.25-inch on higher trims, with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Driver Assistance | Standard forward-collision and lane-keeping assistance |
| Defining Strength | A choice of FWD or AWD on most trims |
| Best Match | Shoppers who want AWD without stepping up to the top trim |
Who Wins Which Category
The Taos, Kona, and Seltos each lead in a different area.
Power and Screens
The two things most small-SUV shoppers notice on a short test drive around Akron.
Standard Power
Standard Touchscreen
Safety and Traction
Two categories where these small SUVs land closer together.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Comparison Category | Standard safety and driver-assist suites |
| Advantage | Volkswagen Taos and Hyundai Kona, narrowly |
| Why | Every Taos has IQ.DRIVE and every 2026 Kona has SmartSense with stop-and-go adaptive cruise; the Seltos covers the core collision and lane aids. |
| Configuration Caveat | Higher trims add more aids, so compare window stickers line by line. |
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Comparison Category | All-wheel-drive availability |
| Advantage | A tie |
| Why | The Taos offers 4MOTION, and the Kona and Seltos both offer AWD across most of their lineups. |
| Configuration Caveat | Every turbo Seltos is AWD, so you can't pair its turbo with front-wheel drive. |
What's New for 2026
None of these SUVs was redesigned for 2026, but each got a few meaningful changes.
Taos and Kona Updates
Small tweaks for the Taos; bigger safety gains for the Kona.
Volkswagen Taos
Hyundai Kona
Seltos Changes and Taos Carryover
The Seltos reshuffled its trims, while the Taos kept its safety suite intact.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Change Area | Drivetrain choices and trim lineup |
| Earlier Model Year | 2025: the base Seltos was AWD only, and a rugged-look X-Line trim was offered. |
| Later Model Year | 2026: front-wheel drive is now offered on most trims, and the X-Line was dropped. |
| Buyer Impact | If you wanted the X-Line look, you'll need to shop a pre-owned Seltos. |
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Change Area | IQ.DRIVE safety suite |
| Earlier Model Year | IQ.DRIVE was already standard on the Taos. |
| Later Model Year | 2026: IQ.DRIVE carries over as standard equipment. |
| Buyer Impact | Every Taos on the lot at Volkswagen of Akron includes adaptive cruise, lane assist, and automatic emergency braking. |
Living With Each SUV in Akron
How the Taos, Kona, and Seltos handle daily driving around Akron, OH.
Highway and All-Weather Driving
Interstate merges and slick-road traction.
Merging on I-76 and I-77
All-Weather Traction
Cargo and Connectivity
Loading up for the weekend and staying connected on the drive.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Use Case | Shopping runs, sports bags, and weekend gear |
| Best Match | Any of the three |
| Reason | All three seat five with split-folding rear seats for longer items. |
| What to Test | Fold the rear seats at Volkswagen of Akron and load a stroller or cooler to compare. |
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Use Case | Phone navigation and music on daily drives |
| Best Match | Hyundai Kona |
| Reason | Its standard 12.3-inch touchscreen gives maps the most room, though all three connect wirelessly. |
| What to Test | Pair your phone in each SUV and see how quickly navigation comes up. |
Our Verdict: Which Small SUV Fits Best?
For Akron drivers who want turbo power and standard IQ.DRIVE without paying for a top trim, the Volkswagen Taos is the strongest pick. The Kona and Seltos only offer turbos on upper trims, while every Taos gets one along with an 8-speed automatic.
The Kona wins if a big standard screen matters most, and the Seltos offers easy access to AWD. All three seat five, so none of them is a three-row option.
Schedule a Taos test drive at Volkswagen of Akron and judge the seat comfort and cargo space for yourself.
Research Sources
- 2026 Volkswagen Taos Model Overview — Background on the Taos specs used in this comparison.
- 2026 Hyundai Kona Model Overview — Background on the current Kona lineup.
- 2026 Kia Seltos Model Overview — Background on the current Seltos lineup.
- Volkswagen of Akron Homepage — Taos inventory, specials, and contact details in Akron.
Please note: Engines, drivetrains, and features vary by trim. Confirm the details on a specific vehicle at the dealership.
Small SUV Questions From Akron Shoppers
Straight answers on Taos, Kona, and Seltos seating, engines, tech, and safety.
Seating
Do any of these SUVs have a third row?
No. The Volkswagen Taos, Hyundai Kona, and Kia Seltos all seat five across two rows. For a third row, look at the larger Volkswagen Atlas.
Local Fit
Are these SUVs a good fit for driving around Akron?
Yes. All three are small enough for tight Akron parking, and each offers all-wheel drive for highway runs on I-76 and I-77.
Technology
What technology comes with the Hyundai Kona?
Every Hyundai Kona gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Seltos
What sets the Kia Seltos apart?
The Kia Seltos offers front- or all-wheel drive on most trims and a turbo engine on its top trim. Kia dropped the X-Line trim for 2026.
Safety
Do these SUVs come with driver-assist features?
Yes. The Taos includes IQ.DRIVE, the Kona includes Hyundai SmartSense, and the Seltos includes standard collision and lane-keeping aids.
Engines
How do the engines compare?
The Taos uses a 1.5L turbocharged engine in every trim. The Kona and Seltos start with 2.0L naturally aspirated engines and offer a 1.6L turbo only on upper trims.
Test Drive
Where can I test drive a Volkswagen Taos in Akron?
Volkswagen of Akron in Akron has the Volkswagen Taos available for test drives, and the team can help you choose between FWD and 4MOTION.
Maintenance
What maintenance matters most for a small SUV?
Follow the schedule in your owner's manual and check tire pressure as the seasons change, since temperature swings affect inflation.