2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Kia Seltos

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. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though the Seltos was not designed for such terrain. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added a touch of modernity and sportiness. Inside, the Seltos boasted a straightforward design layout with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of more upscale brands like Audi. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash provided visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, on the other hand, stretched the notion of being a station wagon, leaning more towards a Jeep-like feel. It offered 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles due to restyled bumpers. Unique design features included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The roof rack and rail system could support a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, with Anodized Copper stitching and accents, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The interior was designed for durability and practicality, with waterproof materials and a robust roof rack system.

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 delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for both city and highway driving, with brisk acceleration and responsive handling, especially in Sport Mode. The Seltos also offered a Drive Mode dial with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout and 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos exhibited minimal body roll in turns and maintained a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided plenty of power for the midsize 5-passenger crossover, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, though the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness trim stood out with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch all-terrain tires, and revised suspension and traction systems. It excelled off-road, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, a dual function X-Mode traction system, and hill descent control. On pavement, the Outback Wilderness felt quick but was limited by its tires, making it more suited for off-road adventures.

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, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors, a spacious center console, and a tray between the driver and front passenger. The rear seats provided ample head- and legroom, making it comfortable for passengers.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that prevented water and sweat from soaking into the seats. The front seats were heated, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment and the front passenger seat offering 8-way power adjustment. The rear seat room was generous, with plenty of space for knees, feet, and heads, and included rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a more robust roof rack, with a 220-pound dynamic load rating and a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in 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 and additional data simultaneously. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted the audio to the phone's output, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, with the other being for power only. Despite these quirks, Kia's infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy navigation.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, it included PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle while engaging in outdoor activities.

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 system for when a vehicle in front had pulled away, preventing the need for a courtesy honk from the driver behind.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness aimed to preserve the efficacy of the standard EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness's EyeSight technology proved effective during testing, maintaining safe following distances and keeping the vehicle centered in the lane. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.