2021 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite its classification as a subcompact SUV, possessed a big-car feel that made it stand out in its segment. With an upright layout and a commanding view of the road, it offered drivers a sense of confidence and control. The design of the headlights was somewhat intricate, yet it blended seamlessly into the grille styling. Its lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at its capability to handle more rugged terrains, even though it's not designed for off-roading. The test model featured a two-tone roof design, which was very on-trend, along with red circles around the wheel centers, indicative of its sporty on-road dynamics. Though the design had many elements, they harmonized well to create a cohesive look.

Inside, the Seltos presented a straightforward design layout typical of modern Kias. The clean lines and integrated tech features had influences from higher-end brands, reminiscent of Audi interiors. It featured a clean LCD screen for climate controls, adding visual symmetry with the touchscreen on the dashboard. The utilitarian yet sporty vibe was emphasized by practical touches like the “handle” framing the tray below the center stack.

On the other hand, the 2021 Buick Enclave had an illustrious history tied to big, shiny, and impressive designs. This legacy was somewhat lost during the Malaise Era but was revitalized post-2009 GM bankruptcy. The Enclave managed to capture Buick’s historic grandeur while addressing modern SUV consumer preferences. It was the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, offering a notable size difference compared to its smaller siblings (Encore, Encore GX, and Envision).

The Enclave's exterior styling, especially in the Avenir trim, offered a premium look with a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted organic forms, minimalist instrumentation, and tasteful glossy accents. Though the materials were upscale with soft, perforated leather with piping and embroidery, it lacked authentic wood. The electronic transmission shifter, though fussy, soon became second nature. The Enclave’s interior emphasized comfort and luxury in sync with its exterior appeal.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine configurations across its trims. The LX, S, and EX trims were powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, managed by a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine was adequate for city driving but lacked oomph on highways. The AWD system was standard on LX and EX, while optional on the S trim.

For those seeking more power, the S Turbo and SX Turbo trims came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. The turbocharged engine provided significant improvement with quick acceleration and nimble handling, particularly in Sport Mode. Drive modes like Normal, Sport, and Smart allowed drivers to tailor throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel to their driving preferences. Despite its upright stance and decent ground clearance, the Seltos handled turns with minimal body roll and provided a surprisingly smooth ride comparable to more luxurious SUVs.

Conversely, the 2021 Buick Enclave came with a single 3.6-liter V6 engine across all trims. This engine delivered a robust 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered a choice of FWD or AWD. The V6’s low torque peak facilitated strong acceleration and a tow rating of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Kia Seltos was one of the roomiest subcompact SUVs available. It offered 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This cargo capacity was impressive even when compared to some compact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim further included a hard cargo cover which doubled as a tray for small items. Inside, the Seltos had numerous cubbies and compartments, with large door storage and a spacious center console.

Rear-seat space was ample, with generous head- and legroom, a feature often lacking in subcompact SUVs. This level of rear-seat comfort made the Seltos stand out in its category.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, as one of the largest SUVs in its class, excelled in providing room and comfort. It comfortably seated six people, or seven if needed. Buick’s QuietTuning along with Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass ensured a calm and quiet cabin. Notably, the Avenir trim added 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and massage function, along with a 10-way power-adjustable seat for front passengers, both heated and ventilated.

The Enclave also featured a well-thought-out center console, offering storage space and comfort. The standard seven-passenger seating came with second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third-row bench. While the third-row wasn't as roomy as some competitors, it was still comfortable and accessible. The rear provided 23.6 cubic feet of space, expandable to 58 cubic feet with the third-row folded and to 97.6 cubic feet with both rows down, making it a highly functional vehicle.

The base 2021 Kia Seltos S trim was equipped with a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SX Turbo stepped up with a Bose premium sound system and a 7-inch digital display screen, along with a large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that displayed Apple CarPlay/Android Auto while keeping additional display space for other functions.

However, a few quirks existed. Plugging in a smartphone for CarPlay defaulted to the phone’s audio output instead of the radio. Also, among the two USB ports, only one supported data connection, with the other only for charging.

Buick's infotainment system in the Enclave, while basic, met expectations with quick response, effective voice recognition, and a logical user interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. It also offered parental assistance with a Teen Driver function.

Though functional, the Enclave's technology fell short in screen size and integration with smart home assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The maximum available 8-inch touchscreen and the 10-speaker Bose sound system lagged behind competitors. Limited free trials for connected services further detracted from its appeal. A notable feature was the rear camera mirror, offering a live feed view of what’s behind.

The 2021 Kia Seltos' comprehensive safety suite included front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX had forward-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the top-tier SX trim included adaptive cruise control, cyclist detection, and a safe exit feature.

Buick’s Enclave, although inherently safe with good crash ratings, limited many safety features to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from Essence trim upwards. The premium Driver Confidence Plus Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and more, was standard only on Premium and Avenir trims.