2022 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, featuring new standard LED headlights flanking a hexagonal grille, which contributed to a more muscular appearance. This design shift moved away from the elegance of previous models, yet retained a touch of sophistication as the eye moved towards the sides and rear. The rear was adorned with an all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge at its centre. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which boasted a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted Nappa leather seats. The minivan's sound deadening technology was enhanced with new windows, seals, and insulation, ensuring a quiet ride.

The 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a stylish and functional small SUV option. The Seltos Nightfall Edition, tested in the U.S., featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. Inside, the Seltos showcased a good sense of style with exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents, though the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs for stereo volume and cabin temperature, complemented by matte-black buttons. Despite some quirks, the Seltos was larger, more useful, and more refined than many of its direct rivals, offering a lively driving experience with excellent outward visibility and easy parking.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a V6 hybrid engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. In Canada, AWD was an extra-cost option for internal combustion engine models, while hybrid models were FWD only. The AWD system activated on-demand based on various conditions, improving fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with fuel consumption ratings of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica had fuel consumption ratings of 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, with AWD models seeing a slight increase in these figures.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT, standard on the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims. The SX trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The turbo engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with torque available between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The Seltos offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution at lower speeds, and the Seltos was equipped with a multi-link rear suspension for improved ride and handling. However, the suspension tuning allowed for more body motion and less bump isolation than preferred, affecting the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a padded centre console lid for a sense of togetherness. Storage space was ample, with an under-stack area for personal items. Standard features included rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and Stow ’n Go seating for the second and third rows. The Pacifica's cargo area was spacious, with best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making family travel convenient.

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 driver’s seat was manually adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on all but the base LX FWD trim. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous legroom and footroom. Storage space was decent, with a smartphone shelf and cargo space measuring 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down. However, the seatback angle was slightly too reclined for comfort.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was graphically appealing and responsive, though it lacked a head-up display. The second row's in-seat entertainment system was optional, with additional games available. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features. The sound system options ranged from a standard six-speaker system to a 19-speaker Harman Kardon option, providing a high-quality listening experience.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto requiring a cable connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical controls for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services, and the system's purple theme colour was unusual.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with up to 116 standard or available safety features, including automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with active braking. Adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning with lane keep assist were available on higher trims. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

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