2022 GMC Terrain 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 test model showcased a two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers, adding to its on-road driving dynamics. The interior boasted a straightforward design 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. The handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored the utilitarian yet sporty nature of the Seltos.

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. The test vehicle came with extra-cost Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. The SLE and SLT trims were more affordable, with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Terrain Denali added a layer of luxury. However, the quality of materials and execution of details reflected its entry-level status. The pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive, and the storage tray was too narrow for a smartphone. The AT4's caramel-colored contrast piping and stitching were nice, but the cabin did not reflect the "craftsmanship at its finest" that GMC claimed.

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). All-wheel drive was standard on the LX and EX and optional on the S. 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 with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway driving and passing maneuvers. The Drive Mode dial offered Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout and 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos exhibited little body roll in turns and provided a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine was discontinued. The 1.5-liter engine could handle a trailer weighing up to 1,500 pounds. The torque was available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but there was a delay off the line. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band once rolling. The Terrain AT4 offered front-wheel drive to conserve fuel, all-wheel drive when necessary, and Off-Road mode with Hill Descent Control. The AT4 had 7.9 inches of ground clearance, less than some competitors. The Terrain provided a good ride and decent handling on pavement, with thick tire sidewalls absorbing road imperfections. However, the AT4 struggled off-road, scraping the front end on terrain and drainage channels. The sport-terrain tires lacked grip in curves, and the Terrain felt dull with numb steering and brakes.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 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 had numerous cubbies and compartments, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the front doors, a spacious center console, and a tray between the front seats. The rear seat offered impressive head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air-conditioning vents. The eight-way power driver’s seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel allowed for a comfortable driving position. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping. The back seat was spacious, with plenty of legroom and foot room, and a rear USB charging port. The Terrain had various storage slots and spots, including a small shelf in the dashboard, narrow shelves in the door panels, and on the sides of the center console. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded down for longer items.

The 2021 Kia Seltos' base S trim came with a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SX Turbo trim 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 screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto while showing additional data on the right third of the screen. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted the audio to the phone's music, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, and the backlit port was for power only. Despite these quirks, Kia's infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful home and hard buttons for easy menu navigation.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems. The SLE trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featured an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The larger screen offered connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Bose speakers, however, were not as impressive. The Terrain's head-up display was part of the Tech Package, which also included front and rear park assist sensors and a surround-view camera system. The Tire Fill Alert system and remote engine starting system were practical features.

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. The SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The Seltos also had a feature that alerted the driver if the vehicle in front had moved when stopped, preventing courtesy honks from other drivers.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, available on SLE, SLT, and AT4 trims, added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain AT4 had all these features, which worked effectively and subtly. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, with a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of the review.