The Car Connection compares the 2022 Kia Seltos to the Kia Soul, Jeep Renegade, Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Kona, and Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
In This Article...
What other SUVs are comparable to the Kia Seltos?
Subcompact SUVs from 2022 from Kia and Chevrolet both provide fashionable exteriors and practical interior capacity for both passengers and freight.
Are Kia Seltos and Ford Escape the same size?
Ford Escape vs. Kia Seltos: Overall Size The Seltos is the smallest of the two, according to these outside measures. This aspect is advantageous because it gives you stronger cornering skills when you come across tight curves.
Which is better: the Kia Sportage or KIA Seltos?
The choice between the Kia Sportage and the Kia Seltos comes down to personal preference. The Seltos more agile in traffic and has a greater ground clearance, although the Sportage is slightly bigger and has more horsepower. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine powers both of these new crossovers that are available for purchase and have five seats. It can accelerate you from 0 to 60 mph in under nine seconds. Although the Sportage is quicker than the Seltos, the Seltos has a higher estimated combined MPG per the EPA. Performance vs. fuel economy may be the deciding factor.
Is the Kia Seltos bigger than the Kia Sportage?
In actuality, the Kia Sportage is smaller than the Kia Seltos. The two cars are seated in various size classes. One of these cars is likely to better suit your demands than the other, depending on your needs and those of your loved ones. The 2023 Kia Seltos features a spacious interior and responsive handling. Parking is also incredibly simple. While the Kia Sportage has a larger interior, it is slightly more difficult to drive.
What is the main difference between the KIA Seltos vs. Sportage?
The primary distinction between these new Kia SUVs for sale, despite sharing many of the same features, options, and conveniences, is size. The Sportage offers more internal space and less maneuverability than the Kia Seltos because it is a size class larger. The Kia Seltos is for you if you appreciate convenience in parking and driving. See how your family fits in the 2019 Kia Sportage if you’re searching for an SUV with a little bit extra passenger volume. In comparison to its larger sibling, the Seltos has a greater combined EPA estimated fuel efficiency.
What’s wrong with Kia Seltos, exactly?
The 2021 Kia Seltos receives an average dependability rating from customers. There are 24 complaints about the Kia Seltos’ engines, 13 about early transmission failure, and one about inadequately heat-treated oil piston rings that might result in engine stall, fire, and damage.
Does the Kia Seltos Have Transmission Problems?
Numerous owners claim that the transmission in their Kia Seltos broke down at or below 6,500 miles. Transmission shake, loss of acceleration or power at 70 mph, engine shut-off, and the inability to reverse are among the NHTSA complaints. According to one owner, the timing chain on the CVT broke after 8,800 miles, causing metal shavings to appear in the engine oil.
Are Seltos worth purchasing?
Purchasing a Seltos is a wise decision. It provides many first-in-segment features, a wide range of engine and transmission choices, plush interiors, all at very affordable prices. We were so thrilled with the Seltos that our only complaints were the absence of under-thigh support and the ride’s stiffness. The Kia Seltos is a terrific option if you want a family vehicle that is comfortable, has excellent ride quality, a long list of useful features, is reasonably priced, and has improved fuel economy. It has three available engines: a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 115 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque, a 1.4-liter gasoline turbocharged engine with 140 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 115 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque All three engines come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. Additionally, it comes with three optional automatic transmissions: a 6-speed torque converter unit, a 1.5-liter gasoline CVT, and a 7-speed DCT (1.4-liter turbo-petrol) (1.5-litre diesel). A 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual transmission) is also included with the 1.5-liter gasoline engine. In addition, we advise you to test drive the vehicle to get a greater sense of its comfort and performance. Select the dealership’s preferred city by clicking the link.
Is Sorento or Seltos larger?
The size of the 2021 Kia Sorento and Seltos differs significantly. The Sorento is a larger SUV alternative that can accommodate 7 passengers, while the Seltos is a compact SUV that can accommodate up to five passengers.
You may access up to 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seats and up to 62.8 cubic feet overall in the Kia Seltos. According to AutoBlog, the 2021 Kia Sorento has a cargo volume of 12.6 cubic feet behind the third-row seats and a maximum volume of 75.5 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.
But because the Kia Seltos is a less expensive alternative, it is smaller. It offers a cost-effective starting price of about $21,990. The 2021 Kia Sorento’s price has not yet been disclosed, but according to CarsDirect, it may begin at roughly $28,000.
Which automobile is superior? Ford or Kia?
In terms of features and options, the Kia brand surpasses Ford, and it also offers buyers a better value overall. In this Battle of the Brands, the Kia brand triumphs because to affordable costs and outstanding guarantees.
Ford Escape vs. Kia Sportage: Which is superior?
There are many cars that are, at best, poor in the crowded small SUV sector. There are also a few notable performers in it. In this comparison, we’ll take a look at an outstanding small SUV and one that nearly qualifies as “mediocre.” But what precisely distinguishes them? Which one offers the greatest deal to customers? Stay with us through this study; at the end, we’ll tell you which vehicle is a better buy, the 2021 Kia Sportage or the 2021 Ford Escape.
Let’s start with some interesting facts about each car. The Hyundai Tucson, the 2021 Kia Sportage’s corporate sibling, is quite reminiscent. If you’ve ever operated a Tucson, the Sportage will feel incredibly comfortable. The Sportage from this year has a ton of standard amenities and allows you choose an economical all-wheel drive option if front-wheel drive isn’t enough. The Sportage performs admirably despite having to contend with some tough rivals in this market. The interior is peaceful, the cabin is roomy, and the dashboard’s controls are arranged in an understandable way.
We dislike the Sportage’s acceleration since it seems so sluggish. The standard 2.4-L 4-cylinder engine is unimpressive and has a poor fuel economy. You do get a nice increase in power from the optional 2.0-L 4-cylinder’s turbocharger. Just a little bit more fuel economy loss occurs. Additionally, the cargo volume is less than what you would receive in other small SUVs.
The addition of the hybrid engine option to the SEL trim level kicks off a few good modifications for the 2021 Ford Escape. This 2.5-liter hybrid engine produces a total of 200 horsepower and achieves a combined fuel economy of about 40 mpg. Any trim level’s ride quality is smooth, and the seats are roomy and comfortable. All of the controls are also rather simple.
negative aspects of this? Compared to many of the Escape’s competitors, the handling feels noticeably worse. It lacks the same calm and assurance. You won’t obtain a smooth distribution of power to the wheels since the transmission will change gears abruptly and joltingly.
Despite the fact that both of these cars are less expensive than some of their top rivals (such as the Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V), they each have something to offer potential consumers. Which, however, represents the superior choice? Before we make a decision, let’s discuss each vehicle’s powertrain options, drivability characteristics, and safety features.
The Powertrain
Driving experiences can be made or broken by the powertrain. Before you sign the permission documents and drive your new car off the lot, it’s crucial to understand what you’re buying. What is its fuel efficiency? How much energy does it produce? What type of transmission is installed? Before thinking about the Sportage or Escape, purchasers should be aware of these facts.
The 2021 Kia Sportage will be our first focus. You can choose between the 2.4-L 4-cylinder engine that comes standard and the 2.0-L turbo 4-cylinder. Both vehicles will have an automated 6-speed transmission. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are options. The turbo 4-cylinder engine receives a much-needed boost to 240 hp, while the standard engine produces 181 horsepower. The latter is only available on the top-of-the-line SX Turbo trim level, which also comes with improved front brakes and a suspension optimized for performance.
There are also a few engine choices available with the 2021 Ford Escape. The 1.5-L, 3-cylinder turbocharged basic engine produces 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. It has an automatic transmission with eight speeds. A 2.5-L hybrid powertrain with a CVT and 200 combined horsepower is standard for the Titanium and available for the SE and SEL trim levels. You may upgrade to a 2.0-L turbo 4-cylinder for an additional 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. However, this is only offered on the SEL and Titanium trim levels. While the other variants can have either FWD or AWD, the 4-cylinder is only available with AWD.
Drivability
What characteristics of a car make it fun to drive, or not so fun, depending on the situation? Here, we’ll concentrate on a number of important aspects, including the car’s performance, braking, steering, handling, ride comfort and quality, interior styling, and how simple it is to operate the tech features while driving.
The 2021 Kia Sportage will be our first focus. When the Sportage is being driven around town, it is at its best. It needs a little extra polish for the freeway. It takes the 2.0-L turbo engine a long time to accelerate from 0 to 60 mphnine secondswhich is slow for a tiny SUV with a turbo engine. The brake pedal also becomes spongy, but it still exerts a constant enough pressure when you need to quickly stop the car. The suspension feels sporty enough on flat, sluggish roads. When traveling around curvy roads, it gets flimsy and awkward. You must put up with the steering’s numbness because it is also without feeling.
The Sportage’s front seats are highly padded for comfort, and they may be equipped with functional heating and ventilation systems. The cabin temperature can be quickly reached and maintained via the climate control system. While traveling through the city, there is no noise inside the cabin; but, when on the highway, you can hear it leaking in. The suspension easily absorbs road imperfections on city streets, and the ride is robust and athletic. However, larger bumps and faster speeds will cause considerable rebound, and the ride will resemble that of a boat.
The Sportage boasts some premium materials for its class. Taller passengers must duck to enter the back seats because to the sloping roofline, which also reduces headroom. The front seats have plenty of adjustability options, however some taller drivers would wish the seat could lower all the way to the floor. Since the buttons have a similar size and form, trying to find them by touch can be a little challenging. Otherwise, they have labels that are legible enough to be recognized.
The Sportage excels when it comes to technology. The infotainment display is easy to operate, and passengers in the back seat have access to wireless device charging connections. One of the best sound systems available, the optional stereo system is excellent. Voice controls are somewhat disappointing, though, as they do not fully detect human speech patterns. Although it may cost you more money, using Kia’s Uvo services does seem to increase voice recognition.
Let’s now examine how the 2021 Ford Escape compares. The 8-speed automatic transmission shifts slowly and exhibits a lot of jerkiness on the upshifts, despite the 2.0-L engine producing enough power. Additionally, downshifts cause a string of little shocks. Since the Escape will move forward as you restart it by lifting your foot off the brake, engine start-stop is a real annoyance. This issue ought to have been dealt with in the manufacturing facility and never allowed to reach the sales lot.
The steering is light and simple while in Default mode. But handling is a different matter. It has a lot of body roll and feels fairly menacing as it rounds corners. In addition to all of that, the tires don’t have much traction on the ground. There isn’t anything in this to give drivers confidence.
The Escape is at least pretty comfortable. The well-shaped front seats provide lots of padding. Even the back seats are comfortable enough for two persons. The Titanium trim level has power adjustment, which is something few front seats in this class offer. The negative? Any trim level of the Escape does not have ventilated front seats or heated back seats. The mid-tier trim also comes with single-zone automatic climate control, although most others offer dual-zone. What a bummer!
However, the layout of the interior makes it simple to use the controls. With its simple interface, Sync 3 is one of the greatest infotainment systems available right now. The short headrests and thin roof pillars are not in the least bit obstructive, so you also get an amazing view from the driver’s seat. Even the standard sound system has outstanding quality, and the navigation system is simple to operate. We only wish that all trim levels came equipped with smartphone app connectivity. Additionally, there are fewer USB ports than on many of the Escape’s competitors. But we appreciate that the base Escape has onboard Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, which is unusual in this class.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.
Safety
A vehicle’s safety features may be successful in preventing collisions. Everyone wants the security of their passengers and cargo. However, not every feature functions as it should. Because of this, you must be aware of them before choosing a particular vehicle to purchase.
The driver attention monitor in the 2021 Kia Sportage will sound an alarm if it detects that your focus or attentiveness is waning. If your vehicle detects you drifting into another lane without using your turn indicator, the lane departure warning system will warn you. The vehicle will be gently steered back into the chosen driving lane with the help of lane maintain assist. Additionally, if it anticipates an impending frontal collision, forward collision prevention will sound an alert and automatically apply the brakes for you. The S trim level now has blind-spot monitoring, and the SX Turbo adds adaptive cruise control, stop-and-go, and parking sensors for the Sportage’s front and back.
The Ford Escape from 2021 comes with identical safety features. The base trim does include lane departure avoidance, frontal collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. You may get the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ option, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and evasive steering, by upgrading to the SE or SEL. These, together with front parking sensors and an automated parking system, become standard on the Titanium trim level. The Titanium Elite package includes an optional head-up display that will show significant safety and driving information on the windshield in front of you.
Which Has the Best Value?
The 2021 Ford Escape offers a few more advanced technological features, but the engine hardly does this car justice. The optional turbo engine for the Sportage offers higher fuel efficiency and a more pleasurable ride. Kia deserves praise for achieving the highest level of refinement in the powertrain.
Which is Better?
A couple of the Escape’s basic features could make the 2021 Kia Sportage more advantageous, but overall it outperforms the Escape. The Sportage’s driving dynamics are significantly superior and it gets greater fuel economy from both of its engine choices. The Sportage won’t buck around at a stoplight or in a drive-through lane due to engine start-stop, and all of its safety systems function as intended.