2021 Volvo XC90 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 wasn't designed for such adventures. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added a touch of modernity and sportiness. 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 provided visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design. While maintaining traditional styling features like a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, the XC90 added character with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level, with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, nice-looking materials. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery added a natural touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end feel, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained 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 with 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. 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 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, producing a total of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. While the T8 provided impressive power, the small engine struggled to deliver consistent performance, especially at low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. However, its handling was not particularly sporty, and the gasoline engine often had to assist the electric motor, limiting the efficiency of the plug-in hybrid system.

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 on the market. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos also offered plenty of cubbies and compartments for both front and rear passengers, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors, a spacious center console, and a tray between the driver and front passenger. Rear-seat space was impressive, with ample head- and legroom.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were about average for the segment, with the third row being a bit tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel of the interior. The XC90 offered standard four-zone climate control with an optional filtration system. Up front, the Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Cargo space was limited, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The XC90 did offer a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo featured a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen in the instrument panel, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The large touchscreen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other data like radio, climate, or navigation. However, the system had some quirks, such as defaulting to the phone’s music when plugged in via USB and having only one data-connecting USB port. Despite these issues, Kia’s infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, thanks to a helpful home button and redundant hard buttons below the touchscreen.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system also included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. Optional features included a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display (HUD). The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, allowing for tablet-like swiping across menus. However, the amount of text and the typeface used made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback for drivers with newer phones.

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 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 included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The SX also featured an alert system for when a vehicle in front had pulled away at a stoplight.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models. It earned top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles, although it struggled with highway curves.