2021 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

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. While not designed for off-roading, the lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle. The test model also showcased a two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers, hinting at its on-road driving dynamics. The interior 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 added visual symmetry with the touchscreen atop the dash, and the handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, making it 1.6 inches longer than the 2021 model. Revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty new character lines gave the Kona a more sophisticated look. The sharp new body lines contrasted with lower body cladding, and new alloy wheel designs rounded out the exterior changes. Inside, the instrument panel and center console were separated, emphasizing a more horizontal layout for a wider, more spacious look. New ambient lighting for the front cupholders and footwells added sophistication, while a rear USB port increased convenience for back-seat passengers. The addition of the sporty N Line and even sportier Kona N trims brought unique styling elements and performance features, making the Kona look more athletic and racy.

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). AWD was standard on 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 AWD. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway driving. 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 showed little body roll in turns and remained smooth over bumps.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line and Limited trims had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The new Kona N trim featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N also included performance features like launch control, a variable exhaust system, and high-performance brakes and tires. The Kona N Line with the 1.6-liter turbo engine and AWD provided more than adequate power and was enjoyable to drive. The Kona felt light yet stable, with surefooted handling and low noise levels inside the cabin.

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. The rear seats provided ample head- and legroom, which was impressive for a subcompact SUV.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while small, offered ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants, even with the optional sunroof. The front seats, especially in the N Line, provided good support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings and compromised head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space was limited, with 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it less practical for carrying larger loads, and towing was not recommended.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base S trim, while the SX Turbo featured a Bose premium sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The larger screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other data. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB could be frustrating, as it defaulted to the phone's audio output. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, which could be confusing in the dark. Despite these quirks, Kia's infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, thanks to helpful home buttons and hard buttons below the touchscreen.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona added more tech for the new model year. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch display, while the SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. The N Line and above trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and traffic information. An eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system was optional on the N Line and standard on the Limited and Kona N. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base 8-inch screen, but the larger screen only supported wired versions. The Kona also offered Digital Key, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims, and wireless device charging. Hyundai Blue Link provided a suite of connected services, including remote engine start and stolen-vehicle recovery. The Kona's infotainment system was easy to use and intuitive, with seamless smartphone connectivity.

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, 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 Seltos also featured an alert for when the vehicle in front had moved, preventing the embarrassment of a courtesy honk from the driver behind.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona's standard safety features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-following assistance, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, blind-spot warning, Highway Drive Assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crashworthiness tests. The Kona's forward collision-avoidance system received a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash protection and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crashes. However, the child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing the Kona from achieving Top Safety Pick status.