2022 Honda Odyssey 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 complemented the grille styling well. The aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted 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 trendy and dynamic touch. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech, reminiscent of more upscale brands. The intuitive layout included a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a sporty handle framing the center stack, emphasizing its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey maintained a classic minivan design with a sense of style, though not as striking as the Kia Carnival. Its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines added some flair to its otherwise clean flanks. The Elite trim level, with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, topped the lineup. Inside, the Odyssey offered a classic open-concept design with a low console and ample storage space. The center stack, though cluttered with switchgear, was easy to navigate. The expansive view through the massive windshield and small front quarter windows enhanced the driving experience, making it clear that the Odyssey was a minivan through and through.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims featured 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, it lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims offered a more robust 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for highway driving and spirited acceleration, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. Despite its subcompact size, the Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it lacked AWD and hybrid options, it offered a respectable 22 mpg in combined driving. The Odyssey excelled in driving dynamics, providing a responsive and enjoyable experience, whether merging onto freeways or navigating mountain roads. However, its brakes tended to heat up during extended downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. Despite this, the Odyssey remained quick and composed, making it a fun minivan to drive, though it required more robust brakes for heavy loads.

The 2021 Kia Seltos impressed with its cargo space, offering 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, even surpassing some compact models. The interior featured numerous cubbies and compartments, providing ample storage for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats offered generous head- and legroom, a rarity in subcompact SUVs, making the Seltos a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Elite trim featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustments, and a tri-zone climate control system. Storage was abundant, with clever shelving and a handy floor tray. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for versatile configurations, enhancing safety and convenience. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with good leg support and foot room. The Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a massive 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed, rivaling large SUVs.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo boasted a 10.25-inch display with a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with helpful home and hard buttons for easy navigation. However, the USB connectivity had quirks, defaulting to phone audio when plugged in and offering only one data connection port. Despite these minor issues, the system was user-friendly and seldom distracting.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies were standard on Touring and Elite trims, providing rear-seat monitoring and communication. The rear-seat entertainment system, though simple, was outdated compared to rivals. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. Overall, the Odyssey's infotainment and technology package felt underwhelming, needing a significant upgrade in future redesigns.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 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 trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection. These features, though not standard on all trims, provided a competitive edge in the subcompact SUV segment.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. While Honda Sensing offered comprehensive safety, it lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings or reacting abruptly. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.