2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and while the headlight design was somewhat intricate, it seamlessly integrated with the grille. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though it wasn't designed for such adventures. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added a trendy touch, enhancing its on-road dynamics. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech, reminiscent of more upscale brands. The LCD screen for climate controls and the sporty handle framing the center stack emphasized its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 inherited styling elements from other Genesis models but maintained a unique appearance. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback look. The ribbed detailing added muscle to its profile, combining SUV bulk with athletic elements. The Sport Prestige models had unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with minimalistic design elements and a rotary gear selector. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, though base models had leatherette seats.

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. AWD was standard on LX and EX, optional on S. The base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. The turbo engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway driving. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, especially in Sport Mode.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powerful engine options. The base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine produced 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generated 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior. However, the GV70 felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of some competitors. It was more comfortable on highways, though the ride was firm with 21-inch wheels.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided impressive cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with them folded. It was one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, even surpassing some compact models. The SX Turbo included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray. The Seltos offered ample rear-seat space, with generous head- and legroom. The interior featured numerous cubbies and compartments for storage, enhancing its practicality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. It matched the front-seat headroom of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the back-seat headroom of the BMW X3. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle of the segment. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on 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 a helpful home button and hard buttons for easy navigation. However, connecting a smartphone via USB defaulted to the phone's audio output, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, and the backlit port was for charging only.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch head-up display were available on higher trims. The GV70 included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services offered remote camera activation, driver profiles, and more, free for three years.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Most trims included driver-assistance features like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX offered adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection. The Seltos also had a feature to alert drivers when the vehicle in front had moved.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The GV70's Highway Driving Assist provided smooth control inputs but struggled with sharp curves.