2021 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being classified as a subcompact SUV, conveyed a big-car feel. It sported an upright layout, offering a commanding view of the road. The headlight design, while busy, blended seamlessly into the grille styling. Its lower front bumper featured an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road potential despite not being designed for such rugged adventures. The test model stood out with a two-tone roof design, a popular trend among contemporary cars and SUVs. Red circles around the wheel centers added a sporty touch, aligning with its on-road driving dynamics. The interior boasted an intuitively straightforward design, featuring clean lines and integrated tech elements, akin to more upscale brands like Audi. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash added visual symmetry, while the right-side handle underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature. On the other hand, the 2021 Kia Sportage featured the controversial tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some may have described as frog-like. Kia, however, described the Sportage’s styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights, carried over from the previous year, combined with available 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels, provided continuity in design. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display acted as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents, with physical buttons and tuning knobs below the screen. Cupholders were conveniently placed between the front seats, and Kia’s older logo sat on the steering wheel. Although not as tech-forward as other Kia models, the Sportage's interior remained a pleasant space for occupants.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque in the LX, S, and EX trims. This engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and sent power to the front wheels or all-wheel drive (AWD). AWD was standard on the LX and EX and optional on the S. While adequate for city driving, the base engine lacked power for high-speed maneuvers. Conversely, the S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. This engine provided ample power for both city and highway driving, with sporty attributes enhanced by the Drive Mode dial offering Normal, Sport, and Smart modes. The Seltos handled corners well with little body roll and smoothed out bumps, a combination typically found in luxury SUVs. The 2021 Kia Sportage came in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD. The LX and EX trims housed a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine generating 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportages utilized a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the 2.4-liter FWD variant was rated at 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined; AWD variants dipped to 21/25/23. The turbo engine delivered 20/28/23 for FWD and 19/24/21 for AWD. Despite minor steering feedback issues and tire grip limitations, the Sportage, especially in SX Turbo trim, offered a rewarding driving experience, particularly for those seeking dynamic performance.

The 2021 Kia Seltos excelled in cargo space, boasting 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made the Seltos one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, surpassing some compact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover doubling as a small-item tray. Numerous cubbies and compartments across both rows provided ample storage, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors and a spacious center console and tray. The 2021 Kia Sportage, a smaller compact crossover, offered good interior space but fell short in cargo capacity. Behind the second row, it provided 30.7 cubic feet, expanding to 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This capacity was less competitive compared to other compact crossovers. However, the SX Turbo trims featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 8-way power passenger adjustment, and heated and ventilated seats for enhanced comfort.

The 2021 Kia Seltos S trim offered a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SX Turbo trim upgraded to a Bose premium sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which could simultaneously display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and other data. However, issues arose when plugging in smartphones, as the system defaulted to phone music instead of the current audio source. Additionally, only one of the two USB ports allowed data connectivity, potentially causing confusion. The 2021 Kia Sportage included an 8-inch touchscreen interface, standard Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports, with most trims benefiting from Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trims added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. While not cutting-edge, the Sportage's technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with a comprehensive array of front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. Except for the base LX, all trims included 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 SX trim featured adaptive cruise control and additional cyclist detection. Safety was a strong suit for the 2021 Kia Sportage. Advanced driver assistance systems, such as forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system, were standard on base trims. The SX Turbo trim featured adaptive cruise control and achieved Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS, with all trims performing well in NHTSA crash tests.