2021 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, with a headlight design that seamlessly integrated into the grille. While not built for off-roading, its aggressive front bumper hinted at adventure. The two-tone roof and red wheel accents added a trendy touch, complementing its on-road dynamics. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and tech influences from upscale brands. The intuitive layout included a symmetrical LCD screen for climate controls and a sporty handle framing the center stack.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia maintained a classic design, having been in its second generation for 14 years. Its exterior showcased modest grilles and elegant wheel arches, with a substantial presence at 205.1 inches long. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was durable, with high-quality materials and tight seams. However, it appeared dated compared to modern SUVs, with a smaller 7-inch touchscreen and analog instrument panel. The Nightshade Special Edition added a contemporary touch with darkened chrome and black-painted wheels, enhancing its visual appeal.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower, paired with a CVT. While adequate for city driving, it lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration and sporty handling, especially in Sport Mode. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, it offered a smooth and stable ride. With a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds and a payload of around 1,300 pounds, it was well-suited for heavy-duty tasks. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. Despite its weight, the Sequoia handled well on highways and off-road, thanks to its body-on-frame construction and independent suspension.

The Kia Seltos provided ample cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with seats folded. It featured numerous storage compartments and impressive rear-seat space, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs.

The Toyota Sequoia excelled in passenger comfort, with roomy seating across three rows and three-zone climate control. It offered 18.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 120.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Sequoia included practical features like a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area, enhancing its utility for outdoor activities.

The Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with the SX Turbo offering a 10.25-inch display and Bose sound system. While intuitive, the system had quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB.

The Toyota Sequoia's technology felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch driver information screen. However, it included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, WiFi connectivity, and SiriusXM. The Limited trim added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium package for enhanced audio features.

The Kia Seltos featured standard airbags, stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Most trims included driver-assistance features like forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning. The SX trim added adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection.

The Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings but included the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, with features like adaptive cruise control and lane-departure alert. It also offered a comprehensive safety system with stability control, traction control, and multiple airbags.