2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of trim levels in Canada, including LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. The Seltos, particularly in its Nightfall Edition, featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission, although this specific configuration was not available in Canada. The Seltos was noted for its appealing design, though the headlights were not universally liked. Inside, the Seltos combined style with practicality, featuring exposed stitching and metallic accents, though the abundance of hard plastic detracted from the overall quality. The controls were logically arranged, but the infotainment system's purple accent colour was not a popular choice.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban shared its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup, giving it a supersized appearance. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered a high degree of customization. The RST test vehicle featured a Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch wheels, contributing to its sporty look. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with varying levels of luxury depending on the trim. The RST model included 10-way power seats and Jet Black perforated leather with Victory Red stitching. However, the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel dark, despite the spaciousness and luxury features.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower. The turbo engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions on uneven pavement. Despite these issues, the Seltos was easy to park and offered excellent outward visibility.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban provided three engine options: a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower. The 6.2-litre V8, paired with Magnetic Ride Control, offered effortless power and acceleration. The Suburban's towing capacity was impressive, with a maximum of 3,765 kilograms. The independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, while the 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts. The Suburban excelled in towing tests, demonstrating its capability and power.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access and comfortable seating. The rear seat provided ample legroom, and upper trims included rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. Cargo space was generous, with 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down. However, the use of hard plastic in certain areas detracted from the overall comfort.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban boasted an abundance of space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. The third row was spacious and accessible, while the cargo area offered 1,175 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 4,097 litres with the seats folded flat. The power-sliding centre console and numerous storage cubbies added to the practicality. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and the electronic push-button transmission controls required some adjustment.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the EX Premium grade and above, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity, though it required a cable connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, but the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a wealth of technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on the LT trim and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with a 10.2-inch display on higher trims. The Suburban also featured a WiFi hotspot and a range of camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view. The audio system varied by trim, with a premium Bose CenterPoint system available on the Premier and High Country.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos SX offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban included the Chevy Safety Assist suite, with features such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with varying scores in individual crash tests.