2021 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and the headlight design, though busy, seamlessly integrated with the grille. While not intended for off-roading, the aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at a rugged capability. The red circles around the wheel centres added a sporty touch, complementing its on-road dynamics. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of upscale brands. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash provided visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the centre stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design with other Nissan models like the Armada and Rogue. The snubbed nose and deep V-motion design, paired with thinner, longer headlights, gave it a bold look. The rear featured a new bumper and LED taillight combination, enhancing its proportions. The Kicks offered a two-tone paint job option, with a floating roof design that added an upmarket look. The SR Premium trim included LED headlights, fog lights, and dark chrome grille accents, contributing to a sportier aesthetic. Inside, the Kicks maintained its familiar styling but with higher quality materials, offering features like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and Prima-Tex-appointed seating in the SR Premium model.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims came with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While adequate for city driving, it lacked power at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for highway driving and quick acceleration. The Seltos offered three drive modes: Normal, Sport, and Smart, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout, the Seltos handled well, showing little body roll in turns and maintaining a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. While not particularly powerful, the Kicks offered a good power-to-weight ratio, making it nimble in city driving. Its electric power-assisted steering and independent strut stabilizer bar suspension contributed to its agile handling. The Kicks maintained stability on icy roads, and its CVT, though noisy under heavy acceleration, was typical for the class. The Kicks offered standard traction control, stability control, and hill start assist, with the SV and SR trims featuring rear disc brakes for improved stopping power.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided impressive cargo space, with 752 litres behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. It featured numerous storage compartments and cubbies, offering convenience for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats provided ample head- and legroom, a rarity in the subcompact class.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks, though smaller, made efficient use of its space. It offered easy-to-reach controls, good small-item storage, and multiple smartphone storage options. The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. It boasted best-in-class front seat legroom, though hip room was limited for larger drivers. The available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured a range of infotainment options, with the LX and EX trims offering an 8-inch touchscreen and the EX Premium and SX Turbo trims featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The SX Turbo included a Bose premium sound system. While the infotainment system was generally intuitive, it had some quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB and only one data-capable USB port.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a competitive array of tech features, including a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The Kicks SR Premium boasted a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with headrest speakers, providing an immersive audio experience. The SR Premium also included a surround-view monitor, enhancing parking convenience.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Higher trims included advanced driver-assistance features such as collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, offering automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning. The Kicks SV and SR trims added adaptive cruise control and a driver alertness monitor. While not crash-tested by the IIHS for 2021, the Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.