2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Honda CR-V was a model that often blended into the competitive crossover landscape. People who remembered the distinctly styled cars of the 1950s might have found themselves longing for a time when vehicles had unique identities. In the 1990s, critiques about cars looking the same were justified, and by 2021, the Honda CR-V adhered to these trends. Its styling conformed to the nearly identical daylight opening shape that characterized many compact crossovers. Although the CR-V had some distinctive features like its grille design and chromed plastic trims, it wasn’t typically chosen for its exterior aesthetics. Honda offered the CR-V in eight colors, but this included three shades of gray, black, and white. The two blue options (Obsidian Blue Pearl and Aegean Blue Metallic) and the Radiant Red Metallic provided more flair, but these colors were usually reserved for higher trims. The base LX trim only came in black, silver, and white, with a $395 upcharge for the white. When we surveyed the inventory at the largest nearby Honda dealership, we noted a scarcity of vibrant colors; no Aegean Blue Metallic CR-Vs and only three Radiant Red models were available among the 37 on the lot. Most of the vehicles were the white color that had minimal visual appeal. Inside, the CR-V's design depended on the trim level with black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather options. Higher trims offered wood panels and more chrome, contributing to a more sophisticated interior. The seat design was angular with sharp edges and details, creating a modern look. However, the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson outshone the CR-V regarding interior styling, particularly at the mid-tier levels, offering more distinctive designs. The 2022 Kia Seltos, placed between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, came in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. Most trims had standard all-wheel drive (AWD) except for the Seltos S. Our review vehicle was the 2022 Kia Seltos Nightfall Edition. This trim boasted matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a black grille, added body cladding, and robust roof rails, all priced at $28,045 after destination charges. The Seltos had an appealing overall design, though the headlights beneath the wide, horizontal running lights weren't favored by some. The Nightfall Edition's intricate matte-finish wheels were attractive yet subdued. Inside, the Seltos exhibited a sense of style with contrast-color dashboard panels, exposed stitching, gloss-black trims, and metallic accents. Despite the abundance of shiny hard plastic, the build quality was solid. Kia organized the controls logically and intuitively, using knobs for stereo volume and cabin temperature adjustments, complemented by matte-black finished buttons. The infotainment system, highlighted by purple, wasn’t many people's favorite, and the voice recognition technology was less effective without an active subscription to connected services. Still, the Seltos stood out in its segment for utility and refinement, often being compared favorably against rivals like the Toyota Corolla Cross and even the larger Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not known for rapid acceleration or sports car-like handling. It offered smooth and steady acceleration for highway merging and predictable cornering. Regardless of the trim (excluding the Hybrid versions), the CR-V was powered by a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Road tests showed it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds, adequate but not thrilling. All CR-V trims featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that maintained constant engine revs as speed increased. This setup didn’t provide the engaging driving experience found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, which had eight-speed automatic transmissions with sport modes in higher trims. The RAV4 and VW Taos also featured more conventional transmissions. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with AWD as an optional upgrade. This was a common arrangement among competitors, but the Subaru Forester stood out with standard AWD. The CR-V featured a unitized body and a suspension system consisting of a MacPherson strut setup in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, typical for this class. The handling and ride quality were consistent and respectable. The 2022 Kia Seltos featured two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and available AWD in the LX and EX. The Seltos S offered both FWD and AWD. The Nightfall Edition and SX trims came with a more exciting turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque at lower RPMs. This engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that, despite some quirks and pauses typical of DCTs, was more engaging than the CVT. Drivers could switch between Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes. Smart mode balanced fuel efficiency with responsiveness but often shifted too quickly, causing uneven acceleration. Sport mode offered quicker powertrain responses but occasionally struggled with gear selection. Fortunately, an intuitive manual shift gate allowed for more control, though paddle shifters would have been ideal. During our test drive, the Seltos Nightfall Edition achieved an EPA-rated 27 mpg in combined driving conditions, meeting expectations. The AWD system included a Lock function for splitting power delivery evenly between the front and rear wheels at lower speeds, while a ground clearance of 7.3 inches was less than leaders like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk and Subaru Crosstrek. The multi-link rear suspension, though intended to improve ride and handling, detracted more than it contributed. Speed humps and bumps were best handled at speeds below 20 mph, and small pavement imperfections were keenly felt. Additionally, the relatively tall, short-wheelbase Seltos often felt unsettled on uneven roads, exhibiting lateral rocking and bounciness. Grip was decent, but body motion was excessive, limiting handling confidence. In urban settings, the Seltos was lively and easy to maneuver with good visibility and straightforward parking aided by a reversing camera with guidelines. On highways, the steering was secure but lacked engagement, and there were no braking issues under various conditions. However, wind noise and road roar were pronounced, particularly near the ocean where hood vibrations added to the noise. Despite some drawbacks, the Seltos was a competent competitor in the small crossover SUV segment but didn't match the refined dynamics of the Mazda CX-30 or the off-road capabilities of the Subaru Crosstrek.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in functionality, designed to comfortably fit five passengers and their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, more than the Toyota RAV4, and a considerable cargo space of 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Accessing the cargo area depended on the trim: lower trims required manual operation, the EX-L featured a power tailgate, and the Touring model boasted a hands-free option, albeit sometimes hit-or-miss in its execution. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim, whereas Subaru offered them on nearly all trims. The 2022 Kia Seltos shined in form and function, providing a roomy interior that was easy to live with daily. Entry and egress were simple due to its ride height and large door openings. The Nightfall Edition included comfortable features like a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, cloth upholstery with simulated leather bolsters, a single-zone automatic climate control system, and heated front seats. Unfortunately, the hard plastic door panels were less comfortable for elbows. The Seltos’ rear seat comfortably accommodated adults, though hard plastic seatbacks could be unkind to knees. Generous legroom and footroom were positives, alongside rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a center armrest with cupholders, despite the rear seatback's overly reclined angle. The Seltos offered decent storage space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, providing hooks for grocery bags to prevent items from rolling around. Comparatively, the CR-V boasted more cargo capacity, making it a better option for those prioritizing space.

The 2021 Honda CR-V provided a range of technology features based on trim levels. The base LX had a 5-inch color screen with basic Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims introduced a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Special Edition and EX trims featured a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, and the EX-L added two more speakers. The top-tier Touring trim came with a 300-watt system with a subwoofer, along with SiriusXM, HD radio, and a satellite navigation system. From the EX trim and up, charging ports were plentiful, including front 1-amp and 1.5-amp USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and rear 2.5-amp USB ports. The Touring trim also included a wireless phone charger. The 2022 Kia Seltos expanded the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system’s availability to the S trim level, making it standard on the EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX trims, the latter paired with a Bose premium sound system. This comprehensive system included Bluetooth for two devices, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, a six-speaker stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto (though requiring a cable connection). The standard 8-inch touchscreen in the LX and S trims offered wireless smartphone connectivity. Despite the purple theme color and lack of a native conversational voice recognition system, the infotainment was user-friendly with volume and tuning knobs and physical buttons for easy access. Overall, the Seltos provided more advanced technology features, especially in higher trims, making it appealing for tech-savvy drivers.

In terms of safety, the 2021 Honda CR-V excelled, particularly because this area was a priority for the model. It earned top honors from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with a five-star overall rating and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with a Top Safety Pick award. It fell short of the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating due to varying headlight evaluations and the updated side crash test. The CR-V earned a “Good” rating in the original side crash test and an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH child safety seat system. A standout feature was Honda's inclusive approach to advanced safety technologies, standard across all trims under the Honda Sensing system. This suite included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard from the EX trim upwards, ensuring extensive safety coverage. The 2022 Kia Seltos also fortified its safety credentials with an array of driver assistance systems across the lineup. Standard features included forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist. Through its connected services platform, the Seltos offered additional safety functions like 911 Connect and features to monitor teenage drivers, such as speed, curfew, and geographical alerts. In crash tests, the Seltos SX received a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, but other trims didn’t qualify due to headlight performance. It earned an overall four-star rating from NHTSA, falling short of five stars in the front-passenger frontal-impact crash test.