2021 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly big-car feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and the headlight design, though busy, seamlessly integrated with the grille. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even if it 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 tech influences reminiscent of upscale brands. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash added visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the center stack emphasized its sporty yet utilitarian nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in the U.S. with expanded cargo space. Its front showcased Hyundai's new design language, with a parametric grille hiding LED lights that formed a unique shape when illuminated. The side profile borrowed styling cues from the Hyundai Elantra, featuring a silver D-pillar for a floating roof effect. The rear boasted toothy LED taillights, enhancing its distinctiveness among compact SUVs. The Tucson's interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, and a spacious cabin that rivaled other compact SUVs. Horizontal lines across the dashboard and an uncluttered aesthetic contributed to a sense of spaciousness.

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. While adequate for city driving, it lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway maneuvers. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid variant with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivering 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain was more powerful and efficient, making it a standout choice. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road conditions, and its fuel efficiency was impressive, with the hybrid achieving up to 38 mpg combined. The forthcoming plug-in hybrid promised even more power and efficiency, with an estimated 25 miles of electric range.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided generous cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. It featured numerous storage compartments and impressive rear-seat space, offering ample head- and legroom. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, a compact SUV, offered a spacious interior with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, lumbar support, and available heated and ventilated front seats. The new platform allowed for increased passenger and cargo space, with 74.8 cubic feet of cargo area. The rear seats provided more legroom than the RAV4, and the cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four. A 60-40 split-folding bench seat and dual-level cargo floor added versatility, while a hands-free liftgate was available on higher trims.

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 hard buttons for easy navigation. However, only one USB port allowed data connection, and plugging in a smartphone defaulted to the phone's audio output, which could be inconvenient.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 4.2-inch multi-information display. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, but required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen was embedded in a larger unit with climate and media controls, which could be challenging to use while driving. Steering wheel controls and voice commands were more reliable for navigation.

The 2021 Kia Seltos included standard front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Most trims featured driver-assistance technologies 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 offered adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson's SmartSense Safety Feature suite included standard forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai's comprehensive warranty package provided additional peace of mind.