2022 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with other models in the Nissan lineup, such as the Armada and Rogue. The front featured a bold, double V-motion grille, complemented by thinner, longer headlights that extended down the face of the vehicle. The top-tier SR and SR Premium trims boasted LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. At the rear, a new bumper and LED taillight combination enhanced the vehicle's proportions, although the trunk release area appeared somewhat tacked on. The Kicks offered a variety of new paint options, including Electric Blue Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, and continued to provide a two-tone paint job option, enhancing its upmarket appearance.

Inside, the Kicks maintained its familiar styling but incorporated higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra. The SR Premium trim featured Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design and stitching, while the interior offered new seat and door designs. The model also provided over 100 million colour combinations through Nissan Kicks Colour Studio accessories, allowing for extensive customization. The SR Premium trim included features like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and shift knob, adding to its sporty aesthetic.

The 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Soul and larger Sportage, offering a range of trim levels in Canada, including the LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. The Nightfall Edition, tested in the U.S., featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos presented an appealing design, though the headlights were not universally liked. Inside, the Seltos showcased a stylish interior with exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents, though the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal.

Kia arranged the controls logically, with knobs for stereo volume and cabin temperature, complemented by matte-black buttons. The infotainment system's purple accent colour was a minor drawback. Despite some nitpicks, the Seltos was larger, more refined, and more powerful than many competitors. It offered a comfortable driving experience, with good visibility and easy parking, though the suspension tuning left room for improvement.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Nissan Versa, was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). The Kicks lacked an all-wheel drive (AWD) option. Its electric power-assisted steering and independent strut stabilizer bar suspension contributed to nimble handling, making it easy to navigate city streets and highways. The Kicks offered a good power-to-weight ratio, though it was not particularly zippy. Despite being FWD, it performed well on icy roads, with minimal engine noise entering the cabin. The Kicks came with standard 16-inch steel wheels on the base model, while higher trims featured 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. It also included a traction control system, stability control, and hill start assist. The Kicks was one of the most fuel-efficient subcompact crossovers, with a combined fuel efficiency rating of 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The SX trim boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbocharged engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with torque available between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. The Seltos offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, though Smart mode could be unpredictable. The AWD system included a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds. The Seltos had a ground clearance of 18.5 centimetres, suitable for light off-roading. The suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. The Seltos was easy to park and offered good visibility, though road noise was significant on the highway. The Seltos achieved a combined fuel consumption rating of 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made efficient use of its compact size, with easily accessible buttons and knobs throughout the cabin. It offered good small-item storage, easy-access USB ports, and multiple smartphone storage options. Climate controls were intuitive, and seat warmers provided quick warmth. The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver's seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seat. It offered best-in-class front seat legroom, though hip room was limited for larger drivers. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, and the available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the cargo area.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy entry and exit. The six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel allowed for a comfortable driving position. Heated front seats were standard on all trims except the base LX FWD. The rear seat comfortably accommodated adults, with generous footroom and rear air conditioning vents on upper trims. The Seltos provided decent storage space, including a smartphone shelf, and offered 752 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a competitive array of technology features. The base model included a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, and Easy Fill Tire Alert. The Kicks SV added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, satellite radio, and a USB-C port. The SR Premium trim featured a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers, including two in the front seat headrests, providing immersive 360-degree sound. The Kicks also offered a surround-view monitor for enhanced parking assistance.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. However, the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services. The Seltos offered safety-related functions through its connected services platform, including 911 Connect and programmable alerts for parents of teen drivers.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver-assistance features including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. It also featured 10 airbags, adaptive cruise control, a driver alertness monitor, and rear door alert on higher trims. The Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and had a strong history of few recalls.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Seltos SX included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.