2022 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning seamlessly with Volvo's current lineup. Notable features included the "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a retro touch through a white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Its design subtly catered to electric-car drivers who preferred understated elegance. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist yet premium interior, featuring high-quality materials like real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The coherent design, with elements like a portrait-oriented touchscreen and well-integrated air vents, set it apart from competitors who often compromised on interior design to meet price points.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of trims with varying features. The Seltos Nightfall Edition, akin to the top SX grade, featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. While the Seltos had an appealing style with exposed stitching and metallic accents, the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall look. The interior was well-organized, with intuitive controls and a logical layout, although the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was unconventional. Despite some design quirks, the Seltos was larger, more refined, and more powerful than many of its direct rivals, offering a lively driving experience with excellent visibility and easy parking capabilities.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a versatile powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline variants featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 model delivered 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasted an impressive 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, thanks to its dual electric motors and 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The XC40 Recharge accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, with the T5 and T4 models achieving the same in 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads, and the Recharge model offered one-pedal driving for enhanced efficiency. Notably, the Recharge had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms, a rarity among electric vehicles.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. The base engine produced 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The turbocharged engine, available on the SX trim, delivered 175 hp and 195 lb-ft, significantly enhancing the driving experience. The turbo engine was mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which, despite some quirks, provided a more engaging drive than the CVT. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for improved traction, and the Seltos demonstrated competence in light off-roading conditions. However, the suspension tuning was less refined, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. Despite these drawbacks, the Seltos offered good grip and lively performance in urban settings, though it fell short of class leaders in driving dynamics.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, while not particularly spacious, offered clever storage solutions to compensate for its limited interior space. The Recharge and gasoline models shared the same passenger and cargo space, but the XC40 had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited in size due to powertrain components. However, Volvo's innovative storage features, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox, added practicality. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were relocated to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins, and a wireless charging pad was available as an option.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior that was easy to live with daily. The ride height and large door openings facilitated easy entry and exit, and the adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel allowed for a comfortable driving position. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, enhancing comfort, though the hard plastic door panels were less forgiving on elbows. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with ample legroom and footroom, although the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos provided generous cargo space, with 752 litres behind the rear seat and 1,778 litres with the seat folded down. Practical features like plastic grocery bag hooks and a smartphone shelf added to its functionality.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps for enhanced user experience. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with top-notch graphics and menu layouts. While the Google interface was consistent with smartphones and computers, it might not appeal to all users. The Recharge model also introduced OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. Notably, the Recharge lacked a start button, relying on a key fob for operation, and future updates might include a Digital Key feature.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system supported Bluetooth pairing with two devices, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection, the system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. However, the lack of a native voice recognition system was a drawback, and the system's performance relied on an active subscription to connected services. Despite these limitations, the Seltos's infotainment system was user-friendly and effective.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings, with the gasoline model earning a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids, and capable of cloud data integration for improved performance.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and more. The SX trim offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The lane-centring assist technology was accurate and refined, enhancing usability. The Seltos also provided connected services with safety-related functions, such as 911 Connect and parental controls. The IIHS awarded the Seltos SX a Top Safety Pick rating, while the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with top marks for crashworthiness and crash-avoidance tech.