2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. With a starting price of $92,000, it offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, allowing for a highly customized experience. The test vehicle, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, showcasing a timeless design with hallmark cues like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although the infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Soul and larger Sportage, offering five trim levels with prices ranging from $22,590 to $28,080. The Nightfall Edition, priced at $28,045, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos boasted a stylish interior with contrast-color dashboard panels and metallic accents, though it was marred by shiny hard plastics. Despite some nitpicks, the Seltos was larger, more refined, and more powerful than many of its competitors, making it a compelling choice in its segment.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. With a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, the Range Rover excelled in off-road conditions, aided by Terrain Response 2 traction control. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, though the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity required a measured approach to handling. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower for the LX, S, and EX trims, paired with a CVT. The Nightfall Edition and SX trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Seltos provided engaging driving dynamics with its turbo-DCT combination, though the suspension tuning was less appealing. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, but the Seltos was best suited for light off-roading. The EPA rated the Nightfall Edition at 27 mpg combined, which matched the test results.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, though shorter passengers found entry challenging. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a small refrigerated center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access. The Nightfall Edition featured a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous legroom and footroom. Storage space was ample, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with them folded. The Seltos also included practical features like plastic grocery sack hooks.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring setup to avoid distractions while driving. The Range Rover also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for assistance.

The 2022 Kia Seltos expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on higher trims. It included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, and a six-speaker stereo. The system was intuitive, with physical controls for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.