2021 Nissan Rogue 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 aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at a rugged capability. The red accents around the wheel centres suggested a focus on on-road performance. Inside, the Seltos featured a clean and intuitive design, with tech influences reminiscent of luxury brands. The interior boasted a symmetrical layout with a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a sporty yet utilitarian feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, giving it a muscular and imposing presence. The squared-off nose and deeper V-Motion grille, flanked by LED headlamps and functional air vents, contributed to a lower drag coefficient despite its boxy shape. The exterior colour options were limited but included two-tone configurations on the Platinum grade. Inside, the Rogue offered a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system, adding storage space. The rear doors opened wider for improved access, and the interior featured standard heated seats and mirrors, with upgrades available for more premium features.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered 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. 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 lb-ft of torque, providing brisk acceleration and a more engaging driving experience. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, offering improved performance and fuel efficiency. The engine was well-matched to the Rogue's weight, and the CVT was less intrusive than expected. However, there were no alternative powertrains available, and Nissan did not plan to release a hybrid version in North America. The Rogue's handling was significantly improved, with better torsional rigidity, reduced weight, and updated suspension, resulting in a stable and planted road feel.

The Kia Seltos provided ample 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. The interior featured numerous storage compartments and generous rear-seat space, offering plenty of head- and legroom.

The Nissan Rogue also excelled in functionality, with a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system creating additional storage space. The rear doors opened wider for easier access, and the interior offered standard heated seats and mirrors. The Platinum grade included a redesigned cargo system with 1,028 litres of space behind the second row and 2,064 litres with the seats folded. The system allowed for cargo separation and floor height adjustment, though it was slightly awkward to use.

The Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base trims, with a 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only one USB port allowed data connection. The SX Turbo trim included a Bose premium sound system, and the infotainment was intuitive with hard buttons for easy navigation.

The Nissan Rogue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The SV grade added a Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports. The Platinum grade upgraded to a 9-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay, a head-up display, and a Bose audio system. However, the digital instrument cluster was difficult to read due to low contrast.

The Kia Seltos included standard airbags, stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The base LX grade in Canada featured blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added 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 safety rating from the NHTSA.

The Nissan Rogue came standard with the Safety Shield 360 suite, including emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist for highway driving assistance. The Rogue received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with improvements in later models.