2022 Kia Sportage 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 seamlessly integrated 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 accents around the wheel centres added a sporty touch, complementing its on-road dynamics. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech, reminiscent of more upscale brands. The interior boasted a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a touchscreen atop the dash, enhancing its utilitarian yet sporty appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage had a more polarizing exterior design. While the tiger-nose grille worked well on other Kia models, it seemed out of place on the Sportage, resembling a fake mustache. However, other design elements were spot-on, with a four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and a symmetrical rear design. The Sportage's interior drew inspiration from German design, featuring a black dashboard with metallic accents and straightforward instrumentation. Buttons and knobs dominated the controls, making it easy to adjust settings without distraction. The Sportage exuded an upscale feel, with a solid transmission shifter enhancing the sense of quality.

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 continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup was adequate for city driving but lacked power 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 quick acceleration and highway passing, especially when using the Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride over bumps, offering a driving experience akin to a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, on the other hand, came with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Sportage SX trim boasted a more powerful engine with 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, providing quick acceleration. The Dynamax all-wheel-drive system, standard on most trims, included a locking centre differential for better power distribution. The Sportage's ride was smooth and compliant, with a sophisticated driving character. However, it exhibited some body roll and lateral rocking over uneven surfaces. While the Sportage felt athletic in turns, it lacked the sharpness and tire grip of some competitors.

The 2021 Kia Seltos excelled in cargo space, 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, even surpassing some compact models. 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 passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, a rarity in subcompact SUVs.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, while smaller on the compact crossover scale, provided a roomy passenger compartment. The SX trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear passengers benefited from generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. However, the Sportage's cargo space was limited, with 1,703 litres available with the rear seats folded and 868 litres behind the back seat. The smart liftgate technology offered hands-free access, though it could be turned off if not needed.

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 boasted a larger 10.25-inch screen. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with additional space for radio, climate, or navigation data. The SX Turbo 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 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The SX trim added UVO Intelligence connected services, satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, the UVO Intelligence system lagged in technological sophistication, lacking features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, including 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, 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 Kia Sportage's EX and SX grades featured forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SX trim also included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it as a Top Safety Pick.