2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious feel, with an upright design providing a commanding view of the road. Its headlight design, though busy, seamlessly integrated with the grille, and the aggressive lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even if it wasn't designed for such adventures. The interior boasted a straightforward design, with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The Seltos came in various trims, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious, with the SX Turbo trim providing the most powerful engine and additional driver assistance features.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue continued its evolution with a mature design, sharing several exterior features with other Nissan models. The Rogue's cabin followed a layered dash design trend, offering a sophisticated and detailed look. The centre console was a highlight, featuring an electronic gear selector lever that saved space. The Rogue's interior was spacious, with comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a roomy second row. The fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model, showcasing Nissan's attention to detail and quality materials.

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 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, providing ample power for highway driving and spirited acceleration. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost with its new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This was a significant improvement over the previous model, offering better acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's CVT had wider gear ratios, enhancing its performance in various driving situations. The new engine also delivered impressive fuel efficiency, with estimates of 7.8 L/100 km city and 6.5 highway. The Rogue's chassis and suspension provided a smooth and controlled ride, with good steering feel and a tight turning diameter.

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, providing convenience for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats offered ample head- and legroom, a rarity in subcompact SUVs.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue also impressed with its cargo capacity, offering 1,033 litres of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,098 litres with the seats folded. The Rogue's interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring numerous storage options for both front and rear passengers. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base trims, with a larger 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it required a wired connection. The SX Turbo trim included a Bose premium sound system. While the infotainment system was intuitive, some quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected, were noted.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology suite included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, a hands-on driver-assist technology, was available, offering advanced features like navigation-linked speed control.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with standard safety features, including airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features like 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 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite across all trims, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist enhanced these features, offering Level 2 driver assistance. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.