2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of trims in Canada, including LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. Most trims came with standard all-wheel drive, except for the base LX. The Seltos was praised for its appealing design, although the headlights were not universally liked. Inside, the Seltos featured stylish elements like exposed stitching and metallic accents, but the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall quality. The controls were logically arranged, with a collection of knobs and buttons for easy access to commonly adjusted features. Despite some nitpicking, the Seltos was considered larger, more useful, and more refined than many of its direct competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup truck, giving it a rugged appearance. However, its design was criticized for being disjointed, especially when compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride. Inside, the Highlander featured an asymmetrical dash with a metallic styling element that added storage space. The Bronze Edition test vehicle included unique features like bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric seat upholstery, which were not universally appreciated. The Softex synthetic leather substitute was also seen as less convincing compared to alternatives. While the Highlander's styling was subjective, its materials quality was considered average for its class, but it remained one of the few hybrids available, appealing to a specific audience.

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 driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. However, the suspension tuning was criticized for allowing too much body motion and not providing enough bump isolation. Despite these issues, the Seltos was lively in urban environments and easy to park, with good outward visibility. On the highway, it felt secure but not particularly engaging, and wind noise was noticeable.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The ride quality was soft, and the suspension smoothed over bumps effectively, making it comfortable for family use. The cabin remained quiet on the highway, but the engine's drone was noticeable when more power was required. Overall, the Highlander Hybrid prioritized comfort over sporty handling, making it suitable for family-oriented driving.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The driver's seat and steering wheel were adjustable, providing a comfortable driving position. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, enhancing comfort. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous footroom and rear air conditioning vents on upper trims. Cargo space was ample, with 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down, making it practical for daily use.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured well-cushioned front seats with plenty of adjustments for comfort. However, the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. The second-row seats were spacious, with ample head- and legroom, and the captain's chairs offered versatility and comfort. The third-row seat was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children. Cargo space was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seatbacks folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed. The Highlander Hybrid offered practical storage solutions, making it suitable for family road trips.

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. It included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was intuitive to use, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating, and it lacked a native conversational voice recognition feature. Connected services offered safety-related functions, but the infotainment system's purple theme colour was considered odd.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with a 12.3-inch option available on the top trim. The system was quick to respond, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on higher trims. The infotainment system met expectations but didn't exceed them, and the larger display's glossy surface could reflect light, obscuring the screen. Overall, the Highlander Hybrid's technology features were functional but not groundbreaking.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos SX offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The lane-centring assist technology was accurate and refined, enhancing its usability. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, missing a top rating due to a four-star performance in the front-passenger, frontal-impact crash test.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The top Platinum trim offered additional features like a surround view camera system and head-up display. While the safety systems generally worked as advertised, some fine-tuning was needed for adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Overall, the Highlander Hybrid provided a comprehensive suite of safety features.