Jeep Cherokee vs Kia Seltos

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved over time, and while initial reactions to its short grille and swept-back headlights were mixed, familiarity had improved its perception. The Cherokee's appearance varied significantly with trim levels, from the basic Latitude with 17-inch wheels to the more refined 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding. Jeep's design prowess extended to the roof, offering an optional panoramic sunroof that covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded SUV market, bearing a resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee, especially from the front.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Soul and larger Sportage, offering five trim levels. The Nightfall Edition, with its matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, turbocharged engine, and dual-clutch transmission, was particularly striking. The Seltos' headlights, however, were not universally admired, and the intricate wheels were somewhat obscured by their matte finish. Inside, the Seltos boasted a stylish interior with contrast-color dashboard panels and metallic accents, though the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, and while the infotainment system's purple accent color was unconventional, the Seltos remained a strong contender in its class.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower for the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims. A more powerful 3.2-liter V-6 engine delivered 271 hp, while the top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite these options, the Cherokee's acceleration was not exceptional, with 0-60 mph times around 7.2 seconds for the V6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had improved over time. The Cherokee Trailhawk excelled off-road, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the availability of front-wheel drive aimed to keep prices competitive, especially for rental fleets.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque for the LX, S, and EX trims, paired with a CVT. The Nightfall Edition and SX trims featured a more engaging turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Seltos provided driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, but the Seltos' ground clearance was less than some competitors. While the Seltos handled urban environments well, its suspension tuning was less refined, leading to a bouncy ride on uneven roads.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the Renegade and Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, its cargo space was limited, with 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55 cubic feet with them folded, trailing behind rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape. The Cherokee offered 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that regard. The interior was simple and businesslike, with trim levels influencing the quality of materials, from rubberized black plastic in the Latitude to perforated Nappa leather in the Latitude Lux.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. 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. Cargo space was ample, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with them folded. The Seltos also provided practical storage solutions, though the use of hard plastic in some areas detracted from comfort.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface and climate control integration. Available with 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens, the system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only via wired connections. The Cherokee also offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, adding convenience in various climates. The Uconnect system's consistency across Stellantis vehicles was a notable advantage for Cherokee buyers.

For 2022, the Kia Seltos expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on higher trims and paired with a Bose premium sound system in the SX. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, and satellite radio, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto requiring a wired connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical controls for primary functions. However, the lack of a native conversational voice recognition system was a drawback, making smartphone integration more appealing.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn top safety awards from the IIHS but received "Good" scores in crashworthiness and a G+ rating for LATCH ease of use. Headlight ratings varied, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and others "Marginal." The NHTSA awarded the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the SX trim, with other versions falling short due to headlight performance. The NHTSA awarded the Seltos a four-star overall rating, with a four-star performance in the front-passenger crash test.