2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2020 Acura MDX presented itself as a well-designed crossover SUV, though its styling was not particularly groundbreaking or attention-grabbing. It blended seamlessly into its surroundings without causing any embarrassment to its driver. The MDX featured Acura's signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, which added a touch of sophistication to the vehicle's front end. These headlights, with their five LED elements per side, flanked a trapezoidal grille that showcased a prominent Acura logo. The MDX's exterior was sleek and low-slung for a three-row SUV, with flawless paint and chrome finishes, a testament to Acura's attention to detail.

Inside, the MDX offered a modern and straightforward design, avoiding the excessive padding and stitching found in many luxury interiors. The centre stack was a standout feature, boasting twin infotainment screens, including an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation and an On Demand Multi-Use Display touchscreen. The high-quality materials and superior fit and finish contributed to a solid and well-built feel. The controls and switches operated with precision, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being classified as a subcompact SUV, exuded a big-car feel with its upright layout and commanding road view. Its headlight design, though busy, seamlessly integrated with the grille styling. While not intended for off-roading, the Seltos featured an aggressive lower front bumper, hinting at its on-road prowess. The red circles around the wheel centres added a sporty touch. The interior boasted a straightforward design, with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of upscale brands like Audi. The LCD screen for climate controls provided visual symmetry with the touchscreen atop the dash, and the "handle" framing the tray below the centre stack emphasized its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The Seltos offered various trim levels, including LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX Turbo. The base LX trim featured 16-inch steel wheels, manually adjustable heated front seats, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX trim added 17-inch alloy wheels, solar glass front windows, and a sunroof. The EX Premium included a larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, a wireless phone charger, and LED headlights. The SX Turbo boasted a more powerful engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, and an upgraded audio system.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options: a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Alternatively, the MDX Sport Hybrid featured a 3.0-litre V6 engine combined with three electric motors, delivering a total of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. This hybrid system was connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The gasoline-only model with Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system demonstrated impressive straight-line performance and nimble handling, thanks to torque-vectoring technology. The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension provided a comfortable ride, making it a reliable companion for long journeys.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and available all-wheel drive. While the base engine was adequate for city driving, it lacked power at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway driving and passing maneuvers. The Seltos offered Normal, Sport, and Smart drive modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout, the Seltos exhibited minimal body roll in turns and delivered a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2020 Acura MDX provided ample interior space, with sliding and reclining second-row seats for easy access to the third row. It offered 447 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 1,229 litres with the third row folded, and 2,574 litres with the second row folded. The MDX featured various storage compartments, including a large glove box, a flexible centre console, and door pockets. Tri-zone climate control allowed for separate heating and cooling options for the driver, front passenger, and rear cabin.

The 2021 Kia Seltos boasted 752 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,778 litres with the rear seats folded. It offered numerous storage compartments, including large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors, a spacious centre console, and a tray between the front seats. The Seltos provided generous rear-seat space, with ample headroom and legroom, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs available.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured simplified trim levels with technology packages. The base model included Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added navigation, parking sensors, and a premium audio system. The A-Spec Package included LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, and 20-inch wheels. The Technology Plus package offered heated rear seats and an upgraded audio system. The Elite Package included an Active Damper System, a surround-view camera, and a rear entertainment screen.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base LX and EX trims. The EX Premium and SX Turbo trims featured a 7-inch digital display and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SX Turbo included a Bose premium sound system. While the infotainment system was intuitive, some quirks included defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB and only one data-capable USB port.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The MDX received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2021 Kia Seltos included front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The base LX trim in Canada featured blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.