GMC Terrain vs Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering four trim levels in Canada: LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. All trims except the LX came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $23,595 to $33,195, excluding the $1,850 destination charge. The U.S. model tested was the Nightfall Edition, similar to the top SX grade, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos was a visually appealing small SUV, though the headlights were not particularly favoured. Inside, it showcased a stylish design with exposed stitching and metallic accents, but the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, with intuitive knobs and buttons, although the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not universally liked.

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bold grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the Canadian MSRP to $44,757, including the $1,995 destination charge. More affordable SLE and SLT trims were available, with the latter offering standard front-wheel drive (FWD). The Terrain's entry-level status was evident in the quality of materials and details, such as the optional head-up display on a clear plastic panel. The pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive, and the storage tray was too narrow for a smartphone. Despite its price, the AT4's interior did not fully reflect GMC's craftsmanship claims.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The SX trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo 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, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos had a ground clearance of 18.5 centimetres. The suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. Despite some complaints, the Seltos was a better small crossover SUV than many rivals, though it fell short of the Mazda CX-30 in driving dynamics.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine's torque was available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, providing a lively feel at elevation. The Terrain could switch between FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system available. Torque steer was an issue in FWD mode, but switching to AWD resolved it. The Terrain AT4 had a ground clearance of 20.1 centimetres and a four-wheel independent suspension. The ride was smooth on highways and city streets, though the sport-terrain tires added road noise. Off-road, the Terrain AT4 struggled with ground clearance, and the sport-terrain tires lacked grip. The powertrain met fuel economy expectations, with a combined rating of 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

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 was manually adjustable, and the 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 provided ample space for adults, with generous legroom and footroom. Storage space was decent, with a smartphone shelf and cargo space measuring 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior with numerous comfort-enhancing features. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat was spacious, with proper support and plenty of legroom. The Terrain provided various storage solutions, including a small shelf in the dashboard and narrow shelves in the door panels. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, with a large storage bin underneath the trunk floor. Folding the rear seat down created 1,792 litres of cargo space, and the front passenger’s seat could be folded for longer items.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system in the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though a cable connection was required. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating, and a native conversational system was missing.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on the SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and GMC Connected Services. The larger screen offered connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was excellent, responding accurately to prompts. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, 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 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with a GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and rear parking sensors. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness.