2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, had a big-car feel with an upright layout and a commanding view of the road. Its headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling, and the lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added a touch of modernity and hinted at its on-road driving dynamics. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design layout with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of more upscale brands. 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 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, on the other hand, presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines, avoiding the flashy design elements seen in other vehicles. Its Parametric Pixel design, inspired by 8-bit graphics, was used extensively in the lighting elements, creating a concept car-like appearance. The interior of the Ioniq 5 was a stark contrast to its exterior, featuring a mellow and comfortable design with soft touch points and sustainable materials. The "Living Space" theme was evident, with features like the "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat and a moveable center console that enhanced the cabin's usability and comfort.

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 turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in the S Turbo and SX Turbo trims delivered 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway speeds and brisk acceleration, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout, the Seltos handled well with minimal body roll and a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range variants, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 303-mile range. The all-wheel-drive versions had a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well on various road conditions, with Sport Mode adding excitement by re-tuning the torque split and steering feel. The paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative braking levels, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos also offered ample rear-seat space with plenty of head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs. The front passengers enjoyed large cubbies, bottle holders, and a spacious center console.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade, maximizing interior space and utility. It had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with a passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet, exceeding its competitors. The Ioniq 5 featured a moveable center console, a modern take on the retro front bench seat, and comfortable leatherette seats. The interior design focused on comfort and usability, with soft touch points and sustainable materials throughout.

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, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful home buttons and hard buttons for easy menu navigation. However, there were some quirks, such as the default audio source switching to the phone when plugged in and only one USB port allowing data connection.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to charge other devices and vehicles. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years through Electrify America. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant, intuitive, and finished with an anti-glare coating.

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 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 included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) with standard features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) offered Level 2 semi-autonomous driving with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 also introduced a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays, although it could be distracting in actual use. While crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested high marks for the Ioniq 5.