2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering five trim levels: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. Most trims, except the S, included standard all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $22,590 to $28,080, excluding a $1,255 destination charge. The Nightfall Edition, our test vehicle, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a black grille, added body cladding, and robust roof rails, priced at $28,045 with the destination charge. The Seltos was a small SUV with an appealing design, though the headlights were not favored. The Nightfall Edition's intricate wheels were attractive but hard to see due to their finish. Inside, the Seltos had a stylish interior with contrast-color dashboard panels, exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents, though the shiny hard plastic detracted from its appeal. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs and buttons for easy access, though the infotainment system's purple accent color was not universally liked.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was described as "modernist" and "reductive," meaning clean and simple, which might not appeal to those seeking flashy luxury SUVs. Land Rover offered limited options for a flashy appearance, such as Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned 23-inch wheels. Our test vehicle, in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, it featured a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with our SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. The design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights. The interior boasted a luxurious, high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque for the LX, S, and EX trims, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Nightfall Edition and SX trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo-DCT combination made the Seltos more engaging to drive, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, and Smart. The AWD system had a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos had a ground clearance of 7.3 inches. The suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable impacts from bumps and uneven pavement. Despite some complaints, the Seltos was a better small crossover SUV than many rivals, though it fell short of the Mazda CX-30 in driving dynamics.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed for refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, offering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e, providing 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Range Rover Sport was more fuel-efficient than expected, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving. The SUV had a new vehicle architecture with increased torsional stiffness and an adaptive damping air suspension. It offered Dynamic driving mode, cornering brake control, and roll stability control. The Range Rover Sport excelled in off-road capabilities, with a ground clearance of 11.1 inches and advanced off-road technology. However, it didn't match the driving dynamics of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy entry and exit. The Nightfall Edition featured a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The interior had cloth upholstery with Sofino simulated leather bolsters, a single-zone automatic climate control system, and heated front seats. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous legroom and footroom. The Seltos provided decent storage space, with a cargo capacity of 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power-adjustable options, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat was less hospitable, with limited legroom and narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport had decent storage space within the cabin, with a power liftgate and controls for lowering the air suspension.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on the EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX trims. It included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating, and it lacked a native conversational voice recognition system.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Pivi Pro infotainment platform was designed to learn user habits, but it was often confusing and frustrating. The native digital assistant struggled with voice commands, and the system's functionality was inconsistent. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Seltos EX added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The SX trim offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were not as smooth or reliable as expected, especially on freeway curves.