2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Kia Seltos

Despite its classification as a subcompact SUV, the 2021 Kia Seltos had a big-car feel. It featured an upright layout with a commanding view of the road. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though the Seltos was not designed for such adventures. The test model showcased a two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers, adding to its on-road driving dynamics. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of upscale brands like Audi. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash added visual symmetry. The Seltos came in various trims, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious, including leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and advanced driver assistance features.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with a styling theme dating back a decade, had a familiar look that was tweaked for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels. The Odyssey was available in five trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820. The Elite trim included perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels. The Odyssey Elite aimed to serve as the Acura of minivans with its toned-down chrome and more luxurious interior.

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 continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power 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, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for highway driving and quick acceleration. The Seltos had a Drive Mode dial with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout and 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos exhibited minimal body roll in turns and maintained a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine and automatic transmission combination provided smooth and effortless power. The Odyssey featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. However, AWD was unavailable, putting the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The 2021 model introduced a new electronic brake booster, enhancing brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling qualities were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense use, indicating a need for an upgrade.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a solid amount of cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos had plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the front doors and a spacious center console. The rear seats provided ample head- and legroom, making it comfortable for passengers.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured legible instrumentation, logical controls, and abundant storage. The driver’s seat was a 12-way power-adjustable seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, and included inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The Odyssey's storage space was excellent, with shelves in the front doors and a wireless smartphone charger on the center console's top tray. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for various seating configurations, enhancing flexibility. The third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim. The SX Turbo trim featured a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other data. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted the audio to the phone's output, which could be inconvenient. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, and the backlit port was for charging only. Despite these quirks, Kia’s infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons below the touchscreen.

Starting with the EX trim, the 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. The Touring trim added a navigation system, HondaLink subscription service plans, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. The Odyssey also featured a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system was not a touchscreen, which disappointed some users.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX 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. The SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go, cyclist detection, and a safe exit feature. The Seltos also had a feature that alerted the driver if the vehicle in front had moved when stopped at a light.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard inclusion of Honda Sensing across all trims. Honda Sensing added low-speed follow capability to the adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button for easy access to ADAS settings. The EX trim and above included a blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother in operation. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance.