2022 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis' first SUV, was a fresh design that managed to balance innovation with the brand's emerging signature style. It featured a sleek two-box design with a long hood and short front overhang, complemented by a massive trapezoidal grille and distinctive Quad Lamp LED headlights. The GV80's exterior was marked by elegant lines and high-quality paint and trim, while the interior boasted a luxurious, uncluttered dashboard with a 14.5-inch widescreen display and authentic materials like real wood and leather. The GV80's design was a testament to Genesis' ability to innovate without the constraints of a long legacy, offering a unique and luxurious SUV experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering a practical and stylish option in the small SUV segment. The Nightfall Edition, with its matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels and turbocharged engine, added a sporty flair to the Seltos' design. Inside, the Seltos featured a contrast-color dashboard, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents, though it was marred by the use of hard, shiny plastics. Despite this, the Seltos offered excellent build quality and a logical arrangement of controls, making it a practical and appealing choice for those seeking a small SUV with a touch of style.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V6 models came standard with all-wheel drive, while the four-cylinder models had rear-wheel drive with an AWD option. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's ride was enhanced by its independent multi-link suspension and, in the case of the 3.5T models, an electronically-controlled suspension with road preview. The 2.5T models offered a lively driving experience, while the 3.5T models provided a smoother and more powerful ride, aided by active noise cancellation. Fuel economy for the GV80 ranged from 18 to 25 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain configuration.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine choices: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with torque available at lower RPMs. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with the latter balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds, though the Seltos' ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The Seltos Nightfall Edition returned 27 mpg in combined driving during testing, but its suspension tuning left much to be desired, with noticeable body motion and poor bump isolation.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The center console featured a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capabilities. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The GV80's second row was spacious and comfortable, with power-adjustable seats and luxury features like power window shades and three-row climate control. The third row, available only on certain models, increased passenger capacity to seven but was not available on all trims.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access thanks to its ride height and large door openings. The Nightfall Edition featured a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, along with cloth upholstery and Sofino simulated leather bolsters. The rear seat provided ample legroom and footroom, with rear air conditioning vents and a center armrest with cupholders. The Seltos offered decent storage space, with 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down. However, the use of hard plastics in the interior detracted from the overall comfort.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD screen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered user-configurable split-screen displays and cloud connectivity for over-the-air updates. Android users could utilize a digital key function, while the GV80 also provided three years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, along with a Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system with 21 speakers.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for primary functions. However, the lack of a native conversational voice recognition system was a drawback, and the system's purple theme color was unusual. The Seltos' connected services platform offered safety-related functions, but the voice recognition system was often frustrating to use.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, vehicle stability management, electronic stability control, and a range of collision-avoidance assists. The GV80 also featured adaptive cruise control with machine learning, highway-driving assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. However, it had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of review.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a robust set of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the SX trim and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top marks for crashworthiness and crash-avoidance tech.