2021 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and while the headlight design was somewhat intricate, it seamlessly integrated with the grille. The aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even though the Seltos wasn't designed for such adventures. The two-tone roof design and red wheel center accents added a trendy touch, enhancing its on-road dynamics. Inside, the Seltos boasted a straightforward and intuitive design, with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash provided visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the center stack emphasized its sporty yet utilitarian nature.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Encore GX impressed with its styling, a significant improvement over the original Encore. It came in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with the option for a Sport Touring package. Buyers could choose between FWD and AWD, with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines available. The test model featured the Essence trim with a 1.3-liter turbo engine, offering a range of upgrades. Despite its high MSRP, Buick offered significant discounts for GM customers. The Encore GX's cabin provided expected quality levels, though the interior design wasn't as clean as the exterior. The analog gauges were inconveniently placed, and the HUD vibrated on uneven roads, highlighting a lack of refinement for its price point.

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 CVT. AWD was standard on LX and EX, with optional AWD on the S. While adequate for city driving, the base engine struggled at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with standard AWD. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway maneuvers. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX also offered two turbocharged engine options. The standard 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the 1.3-liter engine delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine was available with both FWD and AWD. The Encore GX's driving experience was adequate, with enough power for freeway cruising. FWD models had a CVT, while AWD versions used a nine-speed automatic transmission. The ride quality varied, feeling brittle on urban roads and bouncy at higher speeds. Despite Buick's QuietTuning efforts, the cabin wasn't particularly quiet. The Encore GX handled well on winding roads, with controlled body roll and decent tire grip. Fuel economy averaged 28.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate.

The 2021 Kia Seltos excelled in cargo space, offering 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. It featured numerous storage compartments and impressive rear-seat space, providing ample head- and legroom for passengers.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a high seating position, with supportive front seats suitable for long drives. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, lacking thigh support and rear air conditioning vents. Interior storage was good, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle included a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base S trim, while the SX Turbo offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a helpful home button and hard buttons for easy navigation. However, connecting a smartphone via USB could be frustrating, as it defaulted to the phone's audio output.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Advanced Technology Package added navigation, voice recognition, and a surround-view camera. Despite the added features, the test car lacked the available Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system provided a user-friendly experience with quick response times and pleasing graphics.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Most trims 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 offered adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX featured Buick Driver Confidence as standard, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. The Encore GX also included Teen Driver technology and a Tire Fill Alert system. In crash tests, it earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.