2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 was a testament to Mazda's commitment to delivering a premium experience. It featured captivating style and compelling substance, with continual improvements that enhanced its appeal. This model year saw the addition of more standard equipment, refined instrumentation, and control markings that elevated the cabin's appearance. Modifications were made to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness, while the turbocharged engine received a torque boost. The all-wheel-drive versions gained a new off-road traction assistance feature, further enhancing its capabilities. The CX-5's design, rooted in the "Kodo" styling themes, remained appealing and distinctive, offering an upscale look that many competitors struggled to match. Inside, especially in the Signature trim, the CX-5 exuded luxury with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the black cabin, reducing the contrast that often signifies a premium feel.

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a big-car feel with its upright layout and commanding road view. Its headlight design, though busy, seamlessly integrated with the grille styling, and the aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities. The test model featured a trendy two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers, adding to its on-road dynamic appeal. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, drawing influences from upscale brands like Audi. The clean LCD screen for climate controls added visual symmetry with the touchscreen atop the dash. The Seltos offered various trim levels, each adding unique features, from the base LX with its 17-inch alloy wheels and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system to the range-topping SX Turbo with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen and additional driver assistance features.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of the engine, delivering 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular fuel. This turbocharged engine, available only with AWD, provided a robust power output for a compact crossover SUV. However, the turbo engine was less fuel-efficient, rated at 24 mpg combined, compared to 26 mpg for the naturally aspirated engine with AWD. The CX-5 Signature, despite its engaging drive and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology, exhibited excessive body motions due to its high center of gravity, which could be tiresome on winding roads. Nevertheless, its steering and brakes were responsive, making it enjoyable in typical driving situations.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque in the LX, S, and EX trims, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). AWD was standard on LX and EX, with optional AWD on the S trim. The base 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 four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet 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 Mode options, including Normal, Sport, and Smart, which adjusted throttle response, shift mapping, and steering feel. Despite its upright layout, the Seltos exhibited minimal body roll in turns, with quick and nimble handling in Sport Mode, delivering a driving experience akin to a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5, while offering an upscale cabin and generous standard equipment, had a more cramped interior compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The interior featured classy gauges and elegant metallic accents, with higher trims adding comfort features like dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and rear air conditioning vents. The Signature trim added luxury with Nappa leather and genuine wood trim. The front seats, though comfortable, were small, and rear passengers might find legroom lacking. Cargo space measured 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, with a power liftgate standard on higher trims.

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 the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious in its class, even surpassing some compact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos provided ample rear-seat space, with plenty of head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs. The interior featured numerous cubbies and compartments, with large door cubbies and bottle holders for front passengers, as well as a spacious center console and tray.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which drew inspiration from luxury brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. The system included a 7-inch touchscreen in the Sport trim, with Bluetooth, HD Radio, and internet radio apps. The Touring trim added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Grand Touring trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with a Bose premium sound system. The Signature trim included navigation, a surround-view camera, and a SiriusXM data subscription. However, the system's controls were not user-friendly, requiring acclimation and setup to reduce frustration. The voice-recognition technology was limited, often failing to interpret commands.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo featured a Bose premium sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The large screen allowed for simultaneous display of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and additional data. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted to the phone's audio output, which could be inconvenient. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, with the other serving as a power source. Despite these quirks, Kia's infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy menu navigation.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the i-Activsense banner. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 also featured standard LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers, with adaptive headlights available on higher trims. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in individual testing parameters.

The 2021 Kia Seltos included standard front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Most trims featured a suite of driver-assistance safety features, including 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 offered a feature that alerted drivers when a vehicle in front had moved, preventing delays at stoplights. While not all features were standard, the Seltos provided a comprehensive safety package for its class.