2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Kia Seltos

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 while the headlight design was somewhat intricate, it complemented the grille styling effectively. Although 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, enhancing its on-road dynamics. The U.S. test model featured a two-tone roof design, which was not available in Canada, adding to its visual appeal.

Inside, the Seltos boasted a straightforward and intuitive design, typical of modern Kias. The clean lines and integrated tech features drew inspiration from upscale brands like Audi. The LCD screen for climate controls provided visual symmetry with the touchscreen atop the dash. A unique handle framing the tray below the centre stack emphasized the utilitarian yet sporty nature Kia aimed for. The Seltos was available in four trims: LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX Turbo, each offering a range of features from basic to more luxurious options.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older models. While the analog gauges and steering wheel design remained consistent, the interior was refreshed, especially in trims above the base. The base trim featured two 7-inch touchscreens, but higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display, offering a more modern and polished look. Quality was evident in the materials used, with higher trims offering leather upholstery and contrast stitching. The Outdoor XT trim featured water-resistant synthetic upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of ruggedness.

Externally, the Outback's styling was smooth and plain, with gray cladding on wheel arches and bumpers for protection. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights. Despite its SUV-like appearance, the Outback was essentially a lifted wagon, offering a unique alternative to typical crossovers. Its design remained largely unchanged, maintaining a balance of stability and practicality.

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 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway driving. The Seltos also featured a Drive Mode dial with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a CVT, this engine struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was geared towards comfort, with long-travel springs and 22 centimetres of ground clearance for off-road capability. Subaru's AWD system provided excellent traction, with X-Mode enhancing performance in challenging conditions.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided impressive cargo space, with 752 litres behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs available. The interior featured numerous storage compartments, including large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors, as well as a spacious centre console. Rear-seat space was generous, offering ample head- and legroom.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered substantial interior space, with 920 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 2,144 litres with them folded. The cargo area was wide and flat, free of obstructions. The Outback provided excellent headroom and legroom in all seating positions, with comfortable and supportive seats. Visibility was superb, aided by thin pillars and large windows. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy pocket on the passenger-side dash. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, allowing for easy installation of a roof rack.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LX and EX trims, while the EX Premium and SX Turbo trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The larger screen allowed for simultaneous display of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and additional information. The SX Turbo trim included a Bose premium sound system. However, the infotainment system had some quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB and only one data-capable USB port.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. The single large screen, available on higher trims, was more cohesive and useful than the dual-screen setup on the base model. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact 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. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features, such as 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 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with slightly lower scores for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.