2020 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2020 Subaru Outback maintained its reputation for utility, safety, and performance, with a few subtle enhancements. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, it boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-litre engine, though seemingly unchanged, featured 90% new parts, while higher trims offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine. Externally, changes were minimal, focusing on head- and taillight designs. Inside, the Outback introduced an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and innovative DriverFocus technology, which used facial recognition to adjust settings and alert distracted drivers. The Outback was available in seven trims, starting at $30,695, with features like heated seats, keyless entry, and a suite of safety features.

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a big-car feel with its upright design and commanding road view. Its exterior featured a busy headlight design that flowed into the grille, and an aggressive lower front bumper. The interior was straightforward, with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of upscale brands. The Seltos was available in four trims, with the base LX offering both FWD and AWD. Standard features included a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like a larger touchscreen, leatherette upholstery, and advanced driver assistance systems.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured a 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase from 2019, and a fuel consumption rating of 9.0 L/100 km city, 7.1 highway, and 8.2 combined. The XT trims offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and reduced component wear. The Outback had 22.1 cm of ground clearance, with approach, departure, and breakover angles of 18.6, 21.7, and 19.4 degrees, respectively, making it capable off-road.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre engine with 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The SX Turbo trim featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Seltos had 18.5 cm of ground clearance and offered drive modes like Normal, Sport, and Smart, which adjusted throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, providing a driving experience akin to a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered 920 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. Its design allowed for ample passenger space, with enough room for a 6’4” driver to sit comfortably in both the front and rear seats. The Outback’s proportions provided excellent visibility, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided 752 litres of cargo space, increasing to 1,778 litres with the rear seats down. It featured numerous storage compartments and impressive rear-seat space, offering ample head- and legroom. The Seltos was one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, rivaling some compact models.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, praised for its size and clarity but criticized for lag and buried climate controls. The system experienced delays in navigation and volume adjustments, and the camera resolution was subpar.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.25-inch screen on higher trims, with a Bose sound system on the SX Turbo. The infotainment system was intuitive, though it defaulted to phone audio when connected via USB. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, which could be confusing in the dark.

The 2020 Subaru Outback included a comprehensive safety suite with standard AWD. However, the EyeSight system could be obstructed by weather conditions, and the DriverFocus feature was overly sensitive, often alerting drivers unnecessarily.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with standard airbags, stability control, and child-seat anchors. Most trims included advanced driver-assistance features like collision avoidance and lane-keep assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.