2021 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly big-car feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, with a headlight design that, while busy, integrated well with the grille. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though it wasn't designed for such adventures. The red circles around the wheel centres added a touch of sportiness. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and tech influences reminiscent of upscale brands. The interior boasted a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a touchscreen atop the dash, with a utilitarian yet sporty feel underscored by a unique handle framing the centre stack.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, embraced a rugged SUV look with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end, setting it apart from previous generations and other compact crossovers. While the exterior suggested a 4Runner-like toughness, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with sedans and minivans. The RAV4 Trail model added a retro Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road package included matte black wheels and a TRD front skid plate. Inside, the RAV4 featured rugged styling touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles, with SofTex upholstery in the TRD Off-Road model, though real leather wasn't available even on the top trims.

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, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway passing. 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 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the engine boasted impressive thermal efficiency and a high rev range, the transmission was slow to shift, and the steering lacked feedback. The RAV4 offered a Sport mode, but it only added weight to the steering. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime provided more power and refinement. On the highway, the RAV4 excelled with low cabin noise and a comfortable suspension. Off-road, the Trail and TRD Off-Road models featured torque-vectoring AWD and 21.7 cm of ground clearance, but lacked traditional off-road features like locking differentials.

The 2021 Kia Seltos impressed with its spacious interior, offering 752 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with them folded. It featured numerous storage compartments and ample rear-seat space, providing generous head- and legroom. This made the Seltos one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs available.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 provided competitive headroom and good visibility, but legroom was slightly lacking compared to rivals. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat cushions. Cargo space was above average, with 1,059 litres behind the rear seats and 1,977 litres with them folded. The RAV4's oversized knobs and controls were easy to use, but storage space on the console was limited.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base LX and EX trims, while the EX Premium and SX Turbo offered a 10.25-inch screen. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a Bose premium sound system in the SX Turbo. However, the USB connectivity had quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio and only one data-capable port.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 7-inch touchscreen on most trims and an 8-inch screen on Trail and Limited models. The RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked flashiness. A JBL premium audio system and SiriusXM were available, but the gasoline RAV4 didn't offer a head-up display.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with standard airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. In Canada, the base LX included 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 rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. The RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind spot monitoring was standard, and a 360-degree camera system was available.