2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered 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 lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added to 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 sporty handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 had a more subtle, less flashy look compared to its competitors. The AMG GLS 63 performance model and the Maybach version offered more visual drama with flared wheel arches, muscular grilles, and prominent exhaust tips. The Maybach also featured chrome accents and massive 23-inch wheels. Inside, the GLS 450's interior, though basic by GLS standards, still felt luxurious with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen housed under one piece of glass were well integrated, giving the interior a high-quality feel.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims were equipped 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 turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in the S Turbo and SX Turbo produced 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, sent through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to standard AWD. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway speeds and passing maneuvers, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, assisted by Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The GLS 450's engine provided sufficient muscle for the large SUV, and the electric assist was well integrated. However, the air suspension exhibited poor body control, leading to excessive bouncing and leaning in corners. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but not class-leading.

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

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring individual captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, and the standard bench seat could slide fore and aft to increase legroom. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The air suspension could lower the vehicle for easier loading and unloading. However, the touchscreen was difficult to reach, and some ergonomic issues were noted.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo came with a Bose premium sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy navigation. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted to the phone’s music, which could be inconvenient.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with the MBUX infotainment system, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, and a 13-speaker Burmester audio system. The system offered multiple control options, including voice recognition, a touchpad controller, and the touchscreen. The voice recognition system was particularly effective, but the touchpad controller was overly sensitive. The graphics were high-quality, but the navigation system had some issues.

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 such as 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 and cyclist detection.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and advanced driver-assistance features like Active Steering Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.