2021 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, had a big-car feel with its upright layout and commanding road view. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling, and the aggressive lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added a touch of modernity and sportiness. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech, reminiscent of upscale brands like Audi. The LCD screen for climate controls and the handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 sported a sleek and sporty design, akin to a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It was visually lower and wider, with a highback tail and a lip spoiler doubling as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the corners, giving the body a curvy, stable stance. The headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sharp look. The interior featured dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and ambient lighting, creating a futuristic and airy space. The EV6's design was both stylish and functional, with innovative features like retractable door handles and a hidden rear charge port.

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). This 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, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided brisk acceleration and better highway performance. The Seltos also had a Drive Mode dial with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel in Sport mode. Despite its upright layout, the Seltos handled well with minimal body roll and a smooth ride.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD model, boasted impressive performance with two electric motors generating 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and handled corners with agility. The upcoming GT trim promised even more power with 576 horsepower and a sub-3.5-second 0-60 time. The EV6's regenerative braking system offered over eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by available charging infrastructure.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided ample cargo space with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. The interior featured numerous cubbies and compartments, and the rear seats offered generous head- and legroom, making it comfortable for passengers.

The 2022 Kia EV6, with its low floor, offered generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions. The rear seats could recline and had air vents with optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded, comparable to a subcompact SUV. The EV6 also featured innovative functions like pop-out door handles and a combined climate and stereo control touchscreen, though the latter could be frustrating to use while driving.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base S trim, while the SX Turbo featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy navigation. However, only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, and plugging in a smartphone defaulted the audio to the phone's music, which could be inconvenient.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality. The system included features like blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree cameras, and customizable "engine" sounds. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues with state laws.

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 trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection.

The 2022 Kia EV6, though lacking published test results, offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard equipment included lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, and evasive steering assist. The adaptive cruise control on the GT-Line trim included "machine learning" to mimic the driver's behavior.