2021 Kia Seltos

Pros: Excellent passenger/cargo room for its size; ride and handling balance; good selection of comfort and convenience features

Cons: Occasionally quirky transmission behavior with turbo engine; some interior materials disappoint

CG Says: The Kia Seltos is a new-for-2021 subcompact crossover SUV that slots between the subcompact Soul and compact Sportage in Kia’s crossover lineup. The Seltos is 4.4 inches shorter than the Sportage and 6.8 inches longer than the Soul. While the Soul does not offer all-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is standard on all Seltos models except the S, where it is optional. The Seltos’s base powertrain is a 146-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a CVT automatic transmission; the step-up choice is a 175-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder mated to a 7-speed automated-manual transmission. The Seltos offers a long list of standard or available safety features for its class: forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, rear-seat occupant alert, driver-attention monitor, safe-exit assist, lane-following assist, and an adaptive cruise control that can adjust speed to posted speed limits. The Seltos is Kia’s first “genuine” subcompact SUV, and it’s a good one. It’s a bit larger than most subcompact SUVs, and that pays dividends in both passenger and cargo room. Despite a few minor flaws—including some occasionally clunky behavior from the turbo engine’s transmission and a bit of road noise on the highway—the Seltos is a compelling pick in its class.