2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were consistent with previous iterations, though the interior was fresher than the smaller 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. Higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, enhancing the cabin's modernity. Quality was evident in the materials used, with the Limited and Touring trims offering a luxury car impression. The exterior maintained a smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, emphasizing its lifted wagon design.

The 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering five trim levels: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. The Nightfall Edition, our test vehicle, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission, and additional body cladding. Inside, the Seltos displayed a stylish interior with contrast-color dashboard panels, exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. However, the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from the overall quality. The controls were logically arranged, and the infotainment system, despite its odd purple theme, was intuitive to use. The Seltos offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, with ample rear legroom and thoughtful storage solutions.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine, a 2.5-liter flat-four, produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. However, the Outback's weight, especially when loaded, made this engine feel underpowered, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trim, with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, offered a significant improvement, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a quieter, smoother, and more powerful driving experience. The Outback's handling was designed for long-distance cruising, with a comfortable ride and excellent off-road capability, thanks to its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru's electronically-variable AWD system.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Nightfall Edition and SX trims featured a more satisfying 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Seltos offered three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds. However, the Seltos' suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable body motion and less bump isolation.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle rough terrains without the drawbacks of larger vehicles. Inside, it provided 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and excellent outward visibility. Storage solutions were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy ingress and egress. The Nightfall Edition featured a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom and footroom, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a center armrest with cupholders. Cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Seltos also included practical features like plastic grocery sack hooks to prevent items from rolling around.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older technology. However, it offered modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Subaru EyeSight system, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system provided good semi-automated control but relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.

The 2022 Kia Seltos expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was standard on higher trims and optional on the S trim. This system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The system was intuitive to use, with physical buttons for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Additional driver assists were available on higher trims, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear emergency braking. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and the rollover test.

The 2022 Kia Seltos came equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the SX trim and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.