2021 Kia Telluride 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 terrain. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added a trendy and dynamic touch. Inside, the Seltos boasted a straightforward design layout with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of more upscale brands like Audi. The clean LCD screen for climate controls and the intuitive touchscreen atop the dash added to its modern appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in both style and comfort. The Telluride SX’s driver’s seat offered 14 different ways to find an optimal position, including power lumbar adjustment and a power-adjustable thigh support extension. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the Prestige package’s leather upholstery added a touch of luxury. The second-row captain’s chairs, also heated and ventilated, provided ample comfort, while the third-row seat was spacious enough for adults. The Telluride’s interior was designed with modern families in mind, featuring numerous storage solutions and convenience features like airline-style USB ports and a smart hands-free power liftgate.

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 both city and highway driving, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, showing little body roll in turns and maintaining a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, technically a crossover, was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Kia’s Drive Mode Select technology offered Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. AWD was optional and included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction. The Telluride’s suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth and compliant ride. The self-leveling rear suspension on EX and SX trims ensured proper ride and handling when loaded. Despite some body roll in curves, the Telluride handled well, thanks to brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving for AWD models, and our testing loop averaged 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided 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 also offered plenty of storage compartments and impressive rear-seat space, with ample head- and legroom.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility. The SX trim’s driver’s seat offered 14-way power adjustment, and both front seats were heated and ventilated. The second-row captain’s chairs, also heated and ventilated, provided comfort and convenience, while the third-row seat was spacious enough for adults. The Telluride featured numerous storage solutions, including smartphone storage pouches and airline-style USB ports. The smart hands-free power liftgate revealed 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with the second row folded. Buttons in the cargo area allowed for easy folding of the second-row seats.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base S trim, while the SX Turbo featured a Bose premium sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful home buttons and hard buttons below the touchscreen. However, there were some quirks, such as the defaulting to phone music when plugged in via USB and only one data-connecting USB port.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The LX and S trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX and SX trims had a 10.25-inch screen with navigation. Kia’s UVO Link connected services offered various features, including Rear Occupant Alert and remote engine start. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. The Prestige package added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

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, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, including blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The EX and SX trims included Highway Drive Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The SX trim also featured front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, despite some lower frontal-impact scores.