2022 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its lack of distinctive styling, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was marked by a few unique features, such as the grille opening and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it did not stand out in terms of exterior aesthetics. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were variations of gray, black, and white, with only a few options like blue and red offering a splash of colour. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and a choice of materials depending on the trim level, but it faced stiff competition from more stylish rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos made a mark with its appealing design and practical interior. Positioned between the Kia Soul and Sportage, the Seltos offered a range of trims with standard all-wheel drive on most models. The Nightfall Edition, although not available in Canada, showcased the Seltos's sporty potential with features like 18-inch alloy wheels and a turbocharged engine. Inside, the Seltos impressed with its stylish design, featuring exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. However, the use of hard, shiny plastics detracted from the overall quality. Despite these drawbacks, the Seltos was larger and more refined than many of its competitors, offering a more engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not known for its thrilling performance but rather for its smooth and steady acceleration. All trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup provided predictable handling and decent ride quality, though it lacked the engagement offered by competitors with more conventional transmissions. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option on the LX trim and standard on others. Its suspension setup was typical for the class, offering a comfortable ride without surprises.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a more dynamic driving experience, especially in the SX trim with its turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, providing a more engaging drive than the CR-V's CVT. The Seltos featured multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, and Smart, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. However, the suspension tuning was less refined, leading to a bouncy ride on uneven roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos excelled in urban environments, offering good visibility and easy maneuverability.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space and cargo capacity. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V offered various tailgate options, including a hands-free power tailgate on higher trims. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional gear.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, providing a roomy interior with easy access thanks to its ride height and large door openings. The front seats were comfortable, with heated seats standard on most trims. The rear seat offered generous legroom and footroom, though the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos provided 752 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with them folded, along with practical storage solutions like grocery bag hooks.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came equipped with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims featured varying audio setups, while the Touring trim boasted a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were abundant, with wireless phone charging available on the Touring trim.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting from the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. It featured Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, navigation, and satellite radio. While the system required a cable connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it was intuitive to use with physical controls for easy access. However, the voice recognition system was less effective, making smartphone integration a better option.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, offering a suite of advanced safety features as standard across all trims. These included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and more. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring, which was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision avoidance. The SX trim 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, missing a top rating due to headlight performance on lower trims.