2020 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and rugged capability, a legacy that began with the original Series I off-roader. Over the years, it evolved into a luxury SUV, maintaining its robust 4x4 underpinnings. By 2020, the Range Rover offered a variety of trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, each available in Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. Optional features ranged from heated rear seats to a 19-speaker Meridian audio system, with higher trims offering even more luxurious amenities like massaging seats and quad-zone climate control.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a big-car feel with its upright design and commanding road view. Its exterior featured a busy headlight design that seamlessly integrated with the grille, and an aggressive lower front bumper. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of upscale brands. The Seltos came in trims like LX, S, EX, S Turbo, and SX Turbo, each offering a range of features from 17-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen to a 10.25-inch infotainment system and a Bose premium sound system in the SX Turbo. The Seltos was praised for its spacious interior and practical design elements, making it a standout in the subcompact SUV segment.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SV Autobiography Dynamic's V8 was tuned to 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Range Rover's Terrain Response System offered multiple drive modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the LX, S, and EX trims, producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Seltos offered all-wheel drive as standard on the LX and EX trims, with optional AWD on the S trim. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway driving, and the Drive Mode dial allowed drivers to switch between Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: SWB and LWB. The SWB version provided 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model offered 77.5 cubic feet. Both configurations had 34.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up. The Range Rover's interior featured a hands-free power liftgate with a two-piece configuration, making it easier to load large items. The center-console compartment was convenient, and both front and rear doors had decently sized cargo compartments and cupholders.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs available. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos offered ample rear-seat space, with plenty of head- and legroom, and featured numerous cubbies and compartments for storage, enhancing its practicality.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the lower screen controlled climate settings, seat controls, and Terrain Response settings. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the selected menu. The Range Rover also included a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with additional space for radio, climate, or navigation data. Despite some quirks with USB connectivity, Kia's infotainment was praised for its straightforward and intuitive design, aided by hard buttons for easy menu navigation.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features such as low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. While the Range Rover offered a solid list of safety features, some competitors provided more standard equipment.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with standard front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. All trims except the base LX included 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 offered adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection. The Seltos' safety features were competitive, though not all were standard across trims.