Jones Kia - Is AWD the deciding factor for small SUVs around Essex, MD when comparing the Seltos and Trax?
For many shoppers, the biggest question is simple: will I benefit from AWD in a small SUV? When you narrow your search to two popular picks—the Kia Seltos and the Chevrolet Trax—the answer starts with how and where you drive. The Seltos offers available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) w/ Lock Mode, which can distribute power 50/50 front-to-rear at the press of a button to help in low-traction situations. The Trax is front-wheel-drive only. That single difference can change how your SUV behaves during wet commutes, winter weather, or on loose surfaces like gravel and dirt. If your daily routine includes early-morning starts, bridge overpasses that freeze first, or weekend getaways on unpaved stretches, AWD can be a real advantage. The Seltos pairs that traction with advanced assistance—available Highway Driving Assist and Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go—that can help make longer drives less tiring and more predictable.
There is more to the question than traction. The Seltos layers convenience that supports year-round use. Available heated and ventilated front seats keep you comfortable as seasons change, and an available Smart Power Liftgate makes loading simple when your hands are full. The available Dual Panoramic Display unifies your navigation, entertainment, and vehicle information, while available Bose® Premium Audio delivers rich sound. Remote Start & Climate Control and an available Digital Key add everyday ease—lock, unlock, and even start your Seltos with your phone in many situations. The Trax brings user-friendly tech like wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™—which Seltos also offers—but it does not provide AWD, ventilated seats, or a power liftgate. If you value traction, long-haul driver assistance, and upscale convenience in one package, the Seltos is engineered to answer those needs.
- AWD vs FWD: Seltos offers available AWD w/ Lock Mode for added traction; Trax is FWD-only.
- Highway Assistance: Seltos offers available Highway Driving Assist and Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go.
- Everyday Comfort: Seltos can be equipped with heated and ventilated front seats.
- Cargo Convenience: Seltos offers an available Smart Power Liftgate for hands-free loading.
- Connected Tech: Both offer wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™; Seltos adds available Digital Key and Kia Connect features.
Still weighing which configuration fits your life? Think through your most common scenarios: early departures on cold mornings, rainy evening commutes, weekend errands with a full cart, and trips that mix highway and city traffic. The Seltos’ available AWD can transform confidence on slick starts or steep driveways, and its advanced assistance can relieve the mental load in stop-and-go traffic or on long stretches of interstate. The Trax covers the basics well, but for drivers who want a small SUV that steps up when conditions do not cooperate, the Seltos brings the right hardware and software together. That balance of capability and polish is why so many regional drivers point to the Seltos as the more future-ready choice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the Seltos have a real traction advantage over the Trax?
Yes. The Seltos offers available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) w/ Lock Mode for 50/50 power distribution at the push of a button, while the Trax is FWD-only.
What driver-assist features set the Seltos apart for highway travel?
Available Highway Driving Assist helps with steering and distance on compatible roads, and Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go can adapt speed to traffic and changing limits.
Are there comfort or convenience upgrades I cannot get on the Trax?
Yes. The Seltos offers available ventilated front seats, Bose® Premium Audio, and a Smart Power Liftgate, which are not offered on the Trax.
When you are ready to compare in person, Jones Kia can walk you through features and trims, including AWD systems and driver-assist tech. Our team is serving Essex, Perry Hall, and Parkville with product knowledge and a relaxed, helpful approach that keeps the focus on your needs.