2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious and commanding driving experience. Its upright design provided a clear view of the road, and the headlight design, though intricate, seamlessly integrated with the grille. While not intended for off-roading, the Seltos featured an aggressive lower front bumper, hinting at its dynamic on-road capabilities. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The intuitive layout included a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a touchscreen atop the dash, enhancing its utilitarian yet sporty appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Telluride exuded a sense of luxury at a mainstream price, especially in the SX Limited trim. Its exterior styling was impeccable, with no detail out of place, and the interior was a model of contemporary design. The transmission shifter was strategically placed to preserve storage space, and the overall quality of materials used in the cabin was commendable, save for some glossy hard plastics. The Telluride's interior offered a high driving position with a view reminiscent of a Range Rover, and the seats were both heated and ventilated, providing a comfortable and quiet ride.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for highway driving and spirited acceleration, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, on the other hand, was powered by a robust 3.8-litre V6 engine, generating 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It featured Kia's Drive Mode Select with options like Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart, allowing for versatile driving experiences. The Telluride's AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for improved traction, and its suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth and composed ride. Despite some body roll in corners, the Telluride handled well, aided by its brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered impressive cargo space for a subcompact SUV, with 752 litres behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the seats folded. It featured numerous storage compartments and provided ample rear-seat space, making it one of the most spacious options in its class.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated and ventilated, and the third-row seat was accessible and usable for adults. The Telluride's cargo space was generous, with 601 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,455 litres with all rear seats down. The smart hands-free power liftgate added convenience, especially when carrying items.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base trims, while the EX Premium and SX Turbo offered a larger 10.25-inch display. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it had some quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB. Despite these minor issues, the infotainment system was user-friendly, with helpful home buttons and hard buttons for easy navigation.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It allowed for dual smartphone pairing via Bluetooth and included wireless charging. The infotainment system was intuitive, with menu shortcut buttons and stereo knobs for ease of use. The SX trim featured a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, and the Limited grades added a head-up display with comprehensive information.

The 2021 Kia Seltos was equipped with a full array of airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. In Canada, the base LX trim included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while higher trims offered a full suite of driver-assistance features, including collision avoidance assist and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Kia Telluride boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SX trim added front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact results.