2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 had a distinctive design that was both praised and critiqued. While its overall styling was considered attractive, the excessive gray plastic cladding around its lower perimeter detracted from its aesthetic appeal. This design choice made the 18-inch wheels appear undersized and gave the vehicle a lifted appearance, as if it were perpetually on a service center lift. Despite this, the interior was lauded for its luxurious feel, especially above the cabin's midpoint, where soft-touch materials were prevalent. However, below this line, hard plastics were more common, which was expected given the vehicle's price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Seltos offered a big-car feel despite its subcompact SUV classification. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and the headlight and grille styling were well integrated. The Seltos featured a two-tone roof design and red wheel center accents, adding to its sporty appearance. Inside, the Seltos boasted a straightforward and intuitive layout, with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The climate control's LCD screen and the center stack's framing handle underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 186 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Despite these competitive figures, the CX-30's weight of 3,408 pounds and lack of a turbocharged engine option limited its performance, especially at higher altitudes. The 6-speed sport automatic transmission, however, was praised for maximizing the engine's potential, and the optional AWD system included an off-road traction assist feature. With 8 inches of ground clearance, the CX-30 was suitable for light off-roading but was best compared to other small SUVs for its driving dynamics. It offered a sporty feel, though it was less agile than the Mazda3 due to its higher center of gravity and torsion beam axle rear suspension. Fuel economy was a downside, with an average of 23.9 mpg during testing, and a smaller gas tank reduced its driving range.

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 CVT. This engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway maneuvers. The Seltos' Drive Mode dial allowed drivers to choose between Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos exhibited minimal body roll and offered a smooth ride, making it a standout in its class.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered the advantage of higher ground clearance, making entry and exit easier compared to the Mazda3. Inside, the cabin was elegant and upscale, with soft padding on the center console and door armrests. The driving position was excellent, with large analog gauges for easy reference. Cloth seating was standard, with simulated leather available on higher trims, and genuine leather on the Premium trim. The rear seat was cramped, with limited legroom, making it suitable for children or shorter adults. Cargo space was limited, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with them folded, placing it closer to the subcompact segment.

The 2021 Kia Seltos excelled in cargo space, offering 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing many subcompact and even some compact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray. The Seltos provided ample storage compartments throughout the cabin, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors, and a spacious center console. Rear-seat space was impressive, with generous head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 featured an 8.8-inch static display integrated into the dashboard, avoiding a touchscreen to maintain driver focus. However, the system's controls were not always intuitive, making it challenging to use while driving. Standard technology included Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Mazda Connected Services with a 3-year trial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available on Select trim and above, with satellite radio and a 12-speaker Bose sound system on higher trims. The Premium trim added a head-up display.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base S trim, while the SX Turbo featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system. The larger screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other data. A quirk was that plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted to the phone's audio, which could be inconvenient. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, which could be confusing in the dark. Overall, Kia's infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy navigation.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional features included a reversing camera, driver monitoring system, and automatic high-beam LED headlights. Select trim added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, while Premium trim offered adaptive front lights. The CX-30 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS with Premium trim.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Most trims 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 included adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection. The Seltos also featured an alert for when the vehicle in front moved away, preventing embarrassing honks from other drivers.