2021 Mazda CX-30 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 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 touchscreen atop the dash added visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo, with its shiny black 18-inch wheels, grille, side mirror housings, and thick matte black body cladding, had a distinctive and bold appearance. Mazda's design aimed to give the CX-30 a light and agile look, as if the body was floating over the wheels. This effect made the CX-30 stand out from the Mazda3 hatchback on which it was based, with a higher ground clearance both perceptually and in reality. Inside, the cabin mirrored the Mazda3’s quality materials, complementary tones, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces, giving it an upscale vibe. Changes were minimal, with a chrome accent around the engine start button and a standard frameless rearview mirror. The CX-30 Turbo offered a choice between black and Griege leatherette upholstery, with black or white leather available in Premium and Premium Plus trims.

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) and available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The base 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 with standard all-wheel drive. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway driving. The Seltos also offered 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 handled well with minimal body roll and a smooth ride.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel octane, and 310 to 320 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ all-wheel drive. The CX-30 Turbo delivered effortless acceleration and a satisfying driving experience, with Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus technology managing torque distribution. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 25 mpg combined, though real-world testing averaged 24.1 mpg. The CX-30 Turbo’s handling was less sharp than the Mazda3 due to its added height and weight, but it compensated with 2.5 inches of extra ground clearance and an Off-Road mode for better traction on rough terrain. The i-Activ AWD system provided seamless power transfer to the rear wheels, enhancing traction and response.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided a generous 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, even surpassing some compact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos also featured numerous cubbies and compartments for both front and rear passengers, with large door cubbies, bottle holders, and a spacious center console. The rear seats offered ample head- and legroom, making it comfortable for adult passengers.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo was easy to get into and out of, with an exceptionally comfortable driver’s seat featuring eight-way power adjustment and impressive long-distance support. Both front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel was standard in Premium and Premium Plus trims. However, ventilated seats were not available, and the front passenger seat lacked the same range of adjustment as the driver’s seat. The cabin’s organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, with high-quality materials and switchgear enhancing the upscale feel. Rear-seat space was cramped for adults, though rear-seat air conditioning vents provided some comfort. The CX-30 Turbo offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was less than the Mazda3 hatchback.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo came with a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen in the instrument panel, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The larger screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside radio, climate, or navigation data. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB would default the audio to the phone’s output, which could be inconvenient. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, and it was not backlit, making it difficult to use in the dark. Despite these quirks, Kia’s infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy navigation.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo’s 8.8-inch infotainment system display was not a touchscreen. Instead, it was operated using physical controls on the center console and steering wheel, or specific voice commands. While the system required acclimation, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for familiar digital assistants. However, changing radio stations was a cumbersome process. The CX-30 Turbo included three free years of Mazda Connected Services, with remote engine starting and a vehicle finder function, and a separate trial period for the 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Premium and Premium Plus trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, which sounded great due to early collaboration with Bose on speaker placement. These trims also featured an Active Driving Display, projecting useful data onto the windshield.

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 with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The SX also featured an alert for when the vehicle in front had moved, preventing embarrassing honks from other drivers.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. It came with a full collection of i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The TJA provided lane-centering assistance at speeds below 40 mph, complementing the adaptive cruise control. The CX-30 Turbo also featured a mobile 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification system, contacting first responders after a collision.