2020 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a bold and experimental design that was not universally appealing. It came in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with the "2.0T" versions featuring a turbocharged engine for enhanced performance. Buyers could opt for all-wheel drive, and the selection process included choosing paint and interior colors, along with dealer-installed accessories. The Limited 2.0T trim, priced at $39,170, included dealer-installed floor mats. The Santa Fe's exterior design, with its unique grille shape, stacked lighting, and oversized rear skid plate, was a point of contention for some. Inside, the Santa Fe boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and high-contrast interior colors, though the materials didn't quite match the high-style design. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls were refined.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, had a big-car feel with an upright layout and a commanding road view. Its headlight design flowed well into the grille, and the aggressive lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities. The two-tone roof design and red wheel center accents added to its on-road dynamics. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech, reminiscent of upscale brands like Audi. The interior was utilitarian yet sporty, with a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a well-thought-out layout. The Seltos came in LX, S, EX, S Turbo, and SX Turbo trims, each offering a range of features from basic to more luxurious, with the SX Turbo providing the most advanced technology and driver assistance features.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, with a curb weight ranging from 3,591 to 3,946 pounds, offered a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which was not ideal for its weight. The preferred choice was the 2.0T model, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 235 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with optional AWD to eliminate torque steer. The Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in combined driving, with test results showing 22.1 mpg. The Santa Fe provided a smooth ride, decent handling, and quiet highway travel, making it a competent daily driver, though it lacked driver engagement for adventurous driving.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque in the LX, S, and EX trims, paired with a CVT and optional AWD. While adequate for city driving, it struggled at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway maneuvers. The Seltos offered Drive Modes, including Sport, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright design, the Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, offering a driving experience akin to a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with family needs in mind, offering creative storage solutions and stain-resistant fabric in cloth-seat versions. The test model featured eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, with additional lumbar and thigh support for the driver. The dual-zone automatic climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic sunroof added to the comfort. The rear seats were spacious and comfortable, with reclining options and sunshades in the Limited trim. However, cargo space was limited, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 71.3 cubic feet with them folded, though underfloor storage compartments were a plus. The hands-free smart liftgate was a convenient feature, opening automatically when the key fob was detected nearby.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered impressive cargo space for a subcompact SUV, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing some compact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray. The Seltos featured numerous storage compartments and cubbies, with large door cubbies and a spacious center console for front passengers. The rear seats provided ample head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs, making the Seltos a practical choice for those needing space.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, stereo control knobs, and shortcut buttons. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The SEL trim added SiriusXM and Blue Link connected services with three years of free service, offering features like remote engine start and emergency assistance. The Limited trim featured an 8-inch display, navigation, surround-view camera, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity sound system. A head-up display provided essential driving information, and the voice recognition system was sophisticated and responsive.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, with the SX Turbo offering a Bose premium sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The large screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other data. However, connecting a smartphone via USB could be frustrating, as it defaulted to the phone's audio output. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, which could be confusing in the dark. Despite these quirks, the Seltos' infotainment system was intuitive, with a helpful home button and hard buttons for easy navigation.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a safe choice, earning a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, along with a safe exit assist system. The SEL Convenience Package included an ultrasonic occupant alert system, and the Limited trim featured a Blind-Spot View Monitor, enhancing safety.

The 2021 Kia Seltos included front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and child-seat anchor latches. Most trims offered driver-assistance 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 and cyclist detection. The Seltos also featured an alert for when a vehicle in front had moved, preventing driver distraction.