2022 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design with subtle updates to modernize its appearance. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trims, enhancing the Odyssey's aesthetic by reducing brightwork. The Elite trim, in particular, boasted perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and ambient dashboard lighting, elevating its interior to a more luxurious level. The Odyssey's handsome 19-inch wheels and toned-down chrome contributed to its upscale minivan image.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Soul and larger Sportage, offering five trim levels. The Nightfall Edition, our test vehicle, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. Its exterior design included a black grille, added body cladding, and robust roof rails. Inside, the Seltos showcased a stylish interior with contrast-color dashboard panels, exposed stitching, and metallic accents. However, the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. Despite this, the Seltos offered excellent build quality and a logical arrangement of controls, making it a practical choice for drivers.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivered smooth and effortless power, aided by variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. The Odyssey achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, with our test averaging 21.8 mpg. While all-wheel drive was unavailable, the Odyssey's front-wheel-drive system provided a pleasurable driving experience, with well-weighted steering and expertly managed body motions. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense use, indicating a need for improvement.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower. The Nightfall Edition featured the latter, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This setup provided engaging performance, with torque arriving early for a more responsive drive. The Seltos offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, but the Seltos' suspension tuning left room for improvement, especially on uneven surfaces. Despite some handling issues, the Seltos excelled in urban environments with its lively feel and excellent visibility.

Inside the 2021 Honda Odyssey, drivers enjoyed legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage space. The Elite trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout offered versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 144.9 cubic feet with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access. The Nightfall Edition featured a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. Cloth upholstery with Sofino simulated leather bolsters added comfort, while heated front seats and a single-zone automatic climate control system enhanced the driving experience. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and air conditioning vents, though the seatback angle was slightly reclined. Cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's EX trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. Touring and Elite trims added navigation, WiFi capability, and a rear-seat entertainment system. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The CabinWatch and CabinTalk features allowed for easy communication with rear-seat passengers, while HondaLink subscription plans offered additional connectivity and safety features.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, with Bluetooth, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection, but the system was intuitive to use, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. The lack of a native conversational voice recognition system was a downside, but connected services improved functionality. Overall, the Seltos' infotainment system was user-friendly and well-equipped.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, as standard. It included adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rollover resistance rating. The ADAS systems worked accurately, though some features could be smoother in operation.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The lane-centering assist technology was accurate and refined, enhancing the driving experience.