2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly big-car feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and while the headlight design was somewhat busy, it seamlessly integrated with the grille styling. Although not intended for off-roading, the Seltos featured an aggressive lower front bumper, hinting at its adventurous spirit. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added a touch of modern flair and suggested its on-road driving dynamics. Inside, the Seltos boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The interior layout was intuitive, with a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a sporty yet utilitarian feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury and sophistication. Its design, approaching a decade in age, still looked timeless with hallmark cues like blacked-out windshield pillars and large nameplate lettering. The Range Rover's interior was a testament to opulence, with high-quality leather upholstery and a mid-century modern ambiance. Despite its luxurious feel, the second-row seating was less comfortable, lacking thigh support and adjustability. The Range Rover's cabin was filled with advanced technology, though the InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not as intuitive as newer systems. Nevertheless, the Range Rover maintained its reputation for luxury and capability.

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. While adequate for city driving, this engine struggled at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for highway driving and spirited acceleration. 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 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and rapid acceleration. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. Despite its size and weight, the Range Rover provided a comfortable ride with its adaptive air suspension, though it required a more measured approach on winding roads. The EPA rated the Range Rover's fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Kia Seltos impressed with its spacious interior, offering 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs available. The Seltos also provided ample rear-seat space, with generous head- and legroom. The interior featured numerous storage compartments, including large cubbies and bottle holders for front passengers.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover, while luxurious, had some limitations in terms of interior space. The air suspension's kneel mode facilitated entry and exit, but the second-row seating was less comfortable, lacking thigh support and adjustability. The Range Rover offered 25 cubic feet of luggage space, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. The clamshell-style tailgate and suspension kneel function aided in loading cargo.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in 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 hard buttons for easy navigation. However, the system defaulted to phone audio when connected via USB, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, and the backlit port was for charging only.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover boasted a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while advanced, was not entirely intuitive and could be distracting while driving. The Range Rover included a head-up display, though it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The SUV also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for easy access to the owner's manual.

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 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, enhancing safety with features like semi-autonomous parking and rear cross-traffic warning.