2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious and commanding driving experience. Its upright design provided a clear view of the road, and the headlight design, though intricate, seamlessly integrated with the grille. The aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even if it wasn't designed for such adventures. The two-tone roof and red wheel center accents added a trendy and dynamic touch. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward and intuitive design, with clean lines and tech influences reminiscent of luxury brands like Audi. The interior boasted a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a sporty yet utilitarian feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, a hallmark of Land Rover's luxury SUVs. Its design was a scaled-down version of the iconic Range Rover, with a sporty, lowered profile. The Velar's exterior featured a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive trapezoidal roof. The subtle slope of the roof and wide shoulder crease added to its streamlined appearance. Special details like taillight lenses with depth illusions and air ducts reminiscent of Bugatti's NACA ducts enhanced its allure. The interior, though less opulent than previous models, maintained high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's design was both stylish and functional, with a focus on luxury and sophistication.

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, providing brisk acceleration and a more engaging driving experience. 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 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a unique driving experience for a Land Rover. Its lower center of gravity and lighter weight improved cornering and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The Velar also offered a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, available in two power outputs: 340 hp and 354 lb-ft, or 395 hp and 405 lb-ft. The Velar's performance was enhanced by its Terrain Response system and optional air suspension, providing a plush ride and off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided ample cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. It was one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, offering plenty of storage compartments and impressive rear-seat space. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, sacrificed interior space for its design. It offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design limited headroom and visibility, and its parking brake control was confusingly integrated with the transmission button. However, the Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, and the interior featured high-quality materials and a sleek design.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a helpful home button and hard buttons for easy navigation. However, the system defaulted to phone audio when connected via USB, which could be frustrating.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, with a simplified layout and logical arrangements. It offered voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could suggest traffic detours and automatically begin directions for commuting. The Velar also featured a 360-degree camera system and a reconfigurable instrument panel, though its driving assist display was less detailed than competitors.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with standard front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Most trims 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 and cyclist detection.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in European NCAP tests, though U.S. ratings were unavailable. It came with standard driving assists like forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.