2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite its subcompact SUV classification, had a big-car feel to it. The Seltos showcased an upright design layout with a commanding view of the road. The headlight design was intricate but flowed seamlessly into the grille, offering a coherent design language. Although it wasn't built for off-roading, the aggressive approach angle on the lower front bumper gave it a rugged aesthetic. The model we tested flaunted a trendy two-tone roof and red circles around the wheel centers, hinting at its on-road dynamic capabilities. The interior had an intuitively straightforward design, consistent with other Kia models, and the tech features echoed influences from more upscale brands like Audi. The trim levels for the Seltos ranged from LX to SX Turbo, each offering varying degrees of features from standard 8-inch touchscreens to advanced driver-assistance technologies and premium upholstery in higher trims.

Conversely, the 2021 Honda CR-V had a more ubiquitous appearance that adhered closely to the generic styling of compact crossovers. While features like the grille opening and chromed plastic elements provided some distinction, its overall design lacked uniqueness. With eight color options—including multiple shades of gray, black, white, and limited blue and red hues—the CR-V’s palette wasn't particularly vibrant, particularly in lower trims. Inside, the CR-V offered a more modern look with angular seat designs but lacked the distinctive edge of some competitors. Vehicles like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson had a definitive leg up in terms of mid-tier trim visual appeal. Essentially, the CR-V's aesthetics played it safe and were best suited for buyers who prioritize function over form.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured different powertrain options across its trims. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds, making highway acceleration a bit sluggish. For those seeking more robust performance, the S Turbo and SX Turbo trims offered a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided excellent low-speed power and was more than capable on highways. The Seltos' driveability was enhanced by Drive Mode selections (Normal, Sport, and Smart), which adjusted throttle response and steering feedback to match the driving style. With its 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos maintained a smooth ride with minimal body roll, even in Sport Mode.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V offered a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine available trims. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds, which was respectable but not extraordinary for the segment. The CR-V utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that held engine revs constant during acceleration. Although this setup ensured smooth and steady acceleration, it lacked the engaging drive experience offered by competitors with more conventional automatic transmissions. The CR-V did have an optional all-wheel-drive system (AWD), unlike the Subaru Forester, which provided AWD as standard. The suspension setup included MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link system at the rear, ensuring decent handling and ride quality typical of the class. Overall, the CR-V's performance was reliable, if not particularly thrilling.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided an impressive amount of cargo space for a subcompact SUV. It boasted 26.6 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This expansive cargo capacity even surpassed some compact SUVs. The top-tier SX Turbo trim offered additional features like a hard cargo cover that doubled as a small item tray. The interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring ample cubbies and compartments for both front and rear passengers.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space designed for functionality. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, which was more spacious than its competitors like the Toyota RAV4. The CR-V had a slight edge in cargo space too, with 75.8 cubic feet available when the rear seats were folded down. Accessing this ample cargo area was convenient, with different tailgate options ranging from manual to power-operated and even hands-free on higher trims. Notably, only the highest Touring trim featured standard roof rails, limiting functionality for those requiring additional exterior carrying capacity.

In the tech department, the 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base trims, while the premium SX Turbo enjoyed a 10.25-inch display alongside a 7-inch digital instrument screen and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although it had quirks like auto-switching to a phone's music upon connection—a somewhat cumbersome feature. Nonetheless, Kia’s interface was known for being user-friendly due to its intuitive home button and redundant hard buttons below the touchscreen.

The 2021 Honda CR-V lagged slightly behind in terms of its base tech offering. The entry-level LX trim featured a basic 5-inch screen with Bluetooth connectivity. From the Special Edition trim upward, a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen became standard, equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside other functionalities like SMS text messaging. Higher trims offered progressively better audio systems, culminating in the Touring’s 300-watt setup with a subwoofer. The CR-V also featured convenient charging solutions, with multiple USB ports across the cabin and an optional wireless charger in the Touring trim. However, the CR-V's infotainment system lacked the larger screens and visual fidelity found in the Seltos.

Safety was a significant focus for both vehicles, but the approach and offerings varied. The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with essential safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Except for the base LX, all trims boasted advanced 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. The SX Turbo further enhanced safety with adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection, among other features. This made the Seltos highly competitive within the subcompact SUV segment, though it fell short of rivals like the Hyundai Kona in terms of standard safety tech.

The 2021 Honda CR-V stood out in safety, earning top accolades from both the NHTSA and IIHS. Despite missing the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating due to some headlight variations and updated side crash test scores, it still achieved 'Good' ratings in primary safety categories. Honda's commitment to safety was evident with the standard inclusion of the Honda Sensing suite across all trims. This package included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Blind spot monitoring was added from the EX trim upwards. This comprehensive approach ensured that the CR-V provided a robust safety net for all buyers, regardless of the trim level.