2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious feel, akin to larger vehicles. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and while the headlight design was somewhat intricate, it seamlessly integrated with the grille. The aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even though the Seltos wasn't designed for such adventures. The red accents around the wheel centres added a sporty touch, complementing its on-road dynamics. Inside, the Seltos boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The intuitive layout, including a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a sporty handle framing the centre stack, underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, managed to incorporate a sense of style. The kinked sliding doors, designed to hide the tracks under the rear windows, resulted in dramatic character lines. The Touring trim, with its dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, added a touch of sophistication. Inside, the Odyssey featured a classic open-concept design with ample storage space and a low console between the front seats. The switchgear on the centre stack, though initially appearing haphazard, was strategically placed for easy access to commonly used functions. The expansive view through the massive windshield and small front quarter windows enhanced the driving experience, making the Odyssey a practical choice for families.

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). While adequate for city driving, this engine struggled at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim, however, 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 highway driving and spirited acceleration, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivered 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. While lacking all-wheel drive or hybrid options, the Odyssey offered a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres. Despite its size, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades led to pedal vibration and audible grumbling, indicating a need for more robust braking performance. Overall, the Odyssey provided a pleasant driving experience, but its braking system required improvement for mountain driving.

The 2021 Kia Seltos impressed with its cargo capacity, offering 752 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 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, a spacious centre console, and a tray between the front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, a rarity in subcompact SUVs.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility. With wide-opening doors and a low ride height, entry was easy. The Touring trim featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone climate control system. Storage was abundant, with numerous compartments and a centre console tray. The Magic Slide second-row seats offered flexibility, allowing for easy access to the third row or enhanced safety in side-impact collisions. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey provided 929 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo capacity to 2,452 litres, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to 3,984 litres, rivaling large SUVs.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured a range of infotainment options. The base LX and EX trims included a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The EX Premium and SX Turbo trims upgraded to a 7-inch digital display and a 10.25-inch touchscreen, capable of displaying multiple functions simultaneously. The SX Turbo also included a Bose premium sound system. While the infotainment system was generally intuitive, some quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB, were noted.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. The Touring trim added CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the infotainment system was considered outdated compared to rivals, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality. A major upgrade was deemed necessary for future models.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with a comprehensive 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. Higher trims offered additional 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 safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing was noted for its lack of refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The Odyssey received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.