2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 was a testament to Mazda's commitment to delivering a premium experience. It showcased captivating style and compelling substance, with continual improvements that elevated its status among competitors. This model year, the CX-5 featured more standard equipment, refined instrumentation, and control markings that enhanced the cabin's appearance. Modifications were made to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness, while the turbocharged engine saw an increase in torque output. The addition of an off-road traction assistance feature for AWD versions further demonstrated Mazda's dedication to building better SUVs.

The CX-5's design, rooted in the "Kodo" styling themes, remained appealing, distinctive, and upscale. The interior, especially in the Signature trim, exuded luxury with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the otherwise black cabin, reducing the contrast that often enhances a vehicle's premium feel. Despite this, the CX-5 managed to maintain an upscale and sophisticated look, setting it apart from many of its rivals.

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being classified as a subcompact SUV, offered a big-car feel with its upright layout and commanding road view. The headlight design, though busy, seamlessly flowed into the grille styling, while the aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities. The red circles around the wheel centres added a touch of on-road driving dynamics. The Seltos' design elements worked harmoniously, creating a cohesive and appealing look.

Inside, the Seltos featured an intuitively straightforward design layout, with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The clean LCD screen for climate controls added visual symmetry with the touchscreen atop the dash. The "handle" framing the right side of the tray below the centre stack underscored the utilitarian yet sporty nature Kia aimed for. The Seltos' interior design successfully combined practicality with a touch of sophistication, making it a standout in its class.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 offered a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode. Front-wheel drive was standard on the GX and GS trims, with AWD optional, while the upper trims in Canada came with standard AWD. The GT Turbo and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of the engine, delivering 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel. Despite its 1,734-kilogram curb weight, the CX-5 Signature accelerated with authority, though the turbocharged engine was less efficient, averaging 10.6 L/100 km on the testing loop.

The CX-5's driving experience was enhanced by G-Vectoring Control Plus technology, which used the brakes to stabilize the SUV during cornering. However, the SUV's excessive body motions and high centre of gravity detracted from the overall driving experience. Despite this, the CX-5's steering and brakes were up to the task, providing an engaging drive in typical situations, though it lacked the thrill and confidence of other Mazdas.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque for the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, paired with a CVT. AWD was standard on all but the base model in Canada. The base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway driving and passing maneuvers.

The Seltos' Drive Mode dial offered Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout and 18.5 centimetres of ground clearance, the Seltos exhibited little body roll in turns, with quick and nimble turn-in and a smooth ride over bumps. The Seltos' driving dynamics were impressive for a small crossover, offering a combination of attributes typically expected from a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 aimed to compete with luxury SUVs by offering an upscale cabin and a generous list of standard equipment. However, its interior was more cramped compared to mainstream compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The CX-5's interior featured classy gauges and elegant metallic accents, with heated front seats as standard. The GS trim added power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, while the GT trim included ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The Signature trim offered Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and more luxury features.

The CX-5's front seats were comfortable, though rear passengers might find legroom lacking. Cargo space behind the rear seat measured 875 litres, with a maximum cargo volume of 1,687 litres with the rear seats folded. The GS trim and higher included a power liftgate with a programmable height limit.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided ample cargo space, with 752 litres behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the rear seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, even surpassing some compact SUVs. The Seltos featured numerous cubbies and compartments, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the front doors and a spacious centre console and tray.

The Seltos offered impressive rear-seat space, with plenty of head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs. The Seltos' interior design successfully combined practicality with a touch of sophistication, making it a standout in its class.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system, inspired by luxury brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. The system included a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, HD Radio, text messaging support, integrated internet radio apps, and E911 emergency notification. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard. The GT trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, and on-board navigation, while the GT Turbo included an 8-inch touchscreen. The Signature trim featured a surround-view camera system.

Interacting with Mazda Connect involved using the touchscreen, centre console controls, steering wheel controls, or voice-recognition technology. However, the system could be frustrating and required acclimation. The voice-recognition technology was particularly unreliable, often failing to interpret commands or provide feedback.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system for the LX and EX trims. The EX Premium and SX Turbo trims included a 7-inch digital display screen and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SX Turbo featured a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with a helpful home button and hard buttons below the touchscreen for easy menu navigation.

However, plugging in a smartphone via USB could be frustrating, as the system defaulted to the phone's audio output. Additionally, only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, with the other serving as a power source. Despite these quirks, the Seltos' infotainment system was user-friendly and seldom distracting.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with many advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) as standard equipment. The standard ADAS package included smart city brake support, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The GS trim added adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 also featured standard LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers, with adaptive headlights on the Grand Touring trim.

The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in individual testing parameters. The CX-5's safety features and structural engineering contributed to its excellent safety performance.

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. In Canada, the base LX grade included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. All trims except the base LX featured a full suite of driver-assistance safety features, including collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The EX Premium and SX Turbo trims added adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go.

The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with points docked for headlights and LATCH system ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Seltos a four-star overall safety rating, with four stars for frontal crash and rollover performance and five stars for side impacts.