2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, had a familiar and fun design. Its exterior featured curvy, car-like lines with a family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon look rather than a traditional SUV. Inside, the CR-V’s interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with low-quality plastics. The base model started at an MSRP of $26,270, with four trim levels available, each offering different features and options, including a retractable moonroof and various wheel sizes.

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, had a big-car feel with an upright layout and a commanding view of the road. Its headlight design flowed well into the grille, and the lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle. The interior featured a straightforward design with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, influenced by more upscale brands. The Seltos offered five trim levels, each with different standard features, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, combination leatherette-and-cloth upholstery, and a sunroof with power sunshade in higher trims.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine making 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 30 miles per gallon combined and AWD models at 29. The CR-V’s road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its agility and fuel economy.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway speeds and brisk acceleration, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with good head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The cargo compartment offered 75.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, and a two-position load floor allowed for flexible storage options. The center console and door pockets provided ample storage for small items, making the CR-V practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Kia Seltos also provided a solid amount of cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It featured plenty of cubbies and compartments for both front and rear passengers, including large door pockets and a spacious center console. The rear seats offered impressive head- and legroom, making the Seltos comfortable for passengers.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen in the base LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. However, the CR-V did offer plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, including a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim and a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the SX Turbo trim. The larger screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other data. The Seltos’ infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy navigation. However, only one of the two USB ports allowed for data connection, which could be frustrating.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the “Honda Sensing” system, which included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with the Touring trim’s LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Kia Seltos included a full array of airbags, electronic stability control, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX featured driver-assistance safety features like 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.