2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2020 Acura MDX was a sleek and stylish crossover SUV, though its design was not particularly groundbreaking. It blended in well without drawing much attention, yet it maintained a respectable appearance. The Jewel Eye LED headlights added a touch of sophistication to the front, with five LED elements per side arranged horizontally. The trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo anchored the expressive face of the vehicle. Inside, the MDX featured a modern and simple design, highlighted by twin infotainment screens and high-quality materials that gave it a solid and well-built feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Seltos had a big-car feel despite being a subcompact SUV. Its upright layout provided a commanding view of the road, and the headlight design flowed well into the grille. The aggressive lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even though it wasn't designed for such use. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added to its sporty look. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of more upscale brands. The LCD screen for climate controls and the utilitarian yet sporty handle below the center stack were notable touches.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options. The standard model came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It was available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The MDX Sport Hybrid featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine combined with three electric motors, delivering a total of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The gasoline-only model with SH-AWD demonstrated good straight-line performance and nimble handling, thanks to torque-vectoring technology. The four-wheel independent suspension provided a comfortable ride, making it a great companion for long drives.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway speeds and passing maneuvers, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout, the Seltos handled well in turns and maintained a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered a spacious and versatile interior, with sliding and reclining second-row seats for easy access to the third row. It provided 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The interior featured numerous storage compartments, including a large glove box, a flexible center console, and door panel pockets. Tri-zone climate control allowed separate heating and cooling options for the driver, front passenger, and rear cabin.

The 2021 Kia Seltos boasted impressive cargo space for a subcompact SUV, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The interior featured ample storage compartments, including large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors, a spacious center console, and a tray between the front seats. The rear seats provided plenty of head- and legroom, making it a comfortable option for passengers.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with a range of standard tech features, including Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text message and email capability, a CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added features like rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED puddle lights, navigation, GPS-linked climate control, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package included additional tech features such as a surround-view camera system, Head-Up Warning, and heated and ventilated front seats. The Entertainment Package offered a rear entertainment system with a 9.0-inch or 16.2-inch screen, depending on the package.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo trim came with a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen in the instrument panel, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The large touchscreen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other data. However, the system had some quirks, such as defaulting to the phone's music when plugged in via USB and only one of the two USB ports allowing data connection. Despite these issues, the infotainment system was generally straightforward and intuitive, thanks to helpful hard buttons and a home button.

The 2020 Acura MDX came standard with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package included Head-Up Warning. Additional safety features included a rearview camera, front and side airbags, stability control, Trailer Stability Assist, tire pressure monitoring, and a theft-deterrent system. The MDX received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included driver-assistance features such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The SX also featured an alert system for safe vehicle exit when parallel parking. These driver-assistance features were not standard across all trims, but they were a valuable addition to the Seltos.