2021 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

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, integrated well with the grille. The aggressive lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even if it wasn't designed for such adventures. The red circles around the wheel centres added a sporty touch, complementing its on-road dynamics. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and tech influences 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 emphasized its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America with expanded cargo space. Its front showcased Hyundai's new design language, with a parametric grille hiding LED lights that formed a unique shape when illuminated. The side profile borrowed styling cues from the Hyundai Elantra, creating a floating roof effect. The rear featured distinctive LED taillights, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs. Inside, the Tucson boasted a well-appointed cabin with stain- and odour-resistant cloth seats, sport combination seats in the N-Line, and leather-trimmed seats in higher trims. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered aesthetic contributed to a sense of spaciousness.

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 four-cylinder 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 offered three drive modes: Normal, Sport, and Smart, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its ground clearance, the Seltos handled well in turns, offering a smooth ride.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, delivering 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain offered more power and efficiency, with AWD available on both ICE and hybrid models. The Tucson Hybrid was notably more fuel-efficient, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even more power and efficiency, with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque.

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 cubbies and compartments for storage, and the rear seats offered ample head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, a budget-friendly compact SUV, offered a spacious and well-appointed interior. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated and ventilated seats, along with a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, added to the comfort. The Tucson's new platform provided more room for passengers and cargo, with 1,095 litres of cargo space, comparable to other compact SUVs. The rear seats offered more legroom than the RAV4, and the cabin accommodated a family of four comfortably.

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 trims included a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The SX Turbo also came with 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. Despite these issues, the system was intuitive and easy to navigate.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a strong set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 4.2-inch multi-information display. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, though the lack of physical buttons made it challenging to use while driving. Steering wheel controls and voice commands were more reliable for accessing functions.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with standard front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. In Canada, the base LX grade included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered a full suite of driver-assistance features, including 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 Hyundai Tucson featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, with standard forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Additional features included blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai backed the Tucson with a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty.