2021 Kia Seltos vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, and a more aggressive chin spoiler, all complemented by bright 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive Volvo elements. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint with a blue hue contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior, emphasizing the vehicle's luxurious feel. The interior boasted high-quality materials, including leather, aluminum, and optional carbon-fiber trim, with seats that offered exceptional comfort and support, even on long journeys.

In contrast, 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. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling, and the two-tone roof design added a trendy touch. The interior was straightforward and intuitive, with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The Seltos offered a range of trim levels, each adding more features and luxury, from the base LX with its 17-inch alloy wheels and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system to the range-topping SX Turbo with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and additional driver assistance features.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for such a heavy vehicle. The T6, with a supercharger added to the turbocharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's acceleration was not linear, and the engine noise was unrefined for its price range. Fuel economy was also unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque but had limited electric range and did not significantly improve 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 producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (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 four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for both city and highway driving, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, making it feel more like a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous versions, though it still had some quirks. The system housed all climate controls, making it essential to navigate the touchscreen for adjustments. The cabin layout was otherwise stellar, with seven seats standard and an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and best suited for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the last two rows folded.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided impressive cargo space for a subcompact SUV, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos also offered plenty of storage compartments and cubbies throughout the cabin. Rear-seat space was generous, with ample head- and legroom, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs available.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a phenomenal Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could display the map between analog-style dials but lacked major reconfiguration options.

The 2021 Kia Seltos' base S trim included a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SX Turbo trim featured a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system was intuitive and straightforward, with helpful hard buttons below the touchscreen for easy menu navigation. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB could be frustrating, as it defaulted to the phone's audio output, and only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though the headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and advanced airbag systems.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included a suite of driver-assistance features, such as 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.