There's not much ... diversity in the compact crossover segment. Badges, yes. Differences, not so much.
Which is why it's happy news about the 2021 Kia Seltos.
Superficially, it's similar to other small crossovers like the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3. But have a look under the skin.
Or rather, under the hood.
That's where you'll find something very different.
And elsewhere, too.
What It Is
The Seltos is a new Kia model, slotting in between the Soul and Sportage in size and capability. Unlike the front-drive-only Soul, the Seltos is available with all-wheel drive.
It also offers more — in the way of engine choices — than other small crossovers like the HR-V and CX-3.
You can get the Seltos with either a nonturbocharged, four-cylinder engine or a more powerful, turbocharged engine.
The HR-V, CX-3 and others in the class come only with one engine — and less room.
Prices start at $21,990 for the base LX trim, which comes standard with all-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter engine without a turbo.
If you prefer front-wheel drive, but prefer not to pay more, there's the S trim, which is kitted out with sport touches that include fog lights and two-tone paint.
All-wheel drive is available and bundled with heated front seats.
If you want power to go with that, there's the S Turbo — which has all the S stuff and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that's paired with a sportier-shifting, seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission.
A top-of-the-line SX Turbo has ... everything — the more powerful engine, all-wheel drive, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, plus a sunroof, a premium Bose audio rig and a 10.25-inch LCD touch screen. It stickers for $27,890.
What's New
The Seltos — which roughly translates from the Korean language as "brave and assertive" — is a new addition to Kia's model lineup.
What's Good
It has something different under the hood.
It comes standard with all-wheel drive.
There's an option to stick with front-wheel drive, if you prefer — without paying more (or getting less).
What's Not So Good
There's no manual transmission available — just like all the rest.
The turbocharged version comes only with all-wheel drive.
It has a higher price to start than the HR-V and CX-3.
Under the Hood
The standard engine in the Seltos is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 146 horsepower. You can upgrade to a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that makes 175 horsepower — substantially more power than is available in either the Honda or the Mazda, neither of which offers an optional engine.
Another choice is the option to go front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive — without having to choose the optional turbocharged engine. The standard 2.0-liter engine is available with either.
Unusually, all-wheel drive is standard. And so is front-wheel drive, in a way. There's no extra charge for either. You have your choice of different packages that go with one or the other.
Both cost the same.
You also get a choice of transmissions.
If you buy the 2.0-liter engine, you'll get a continuously variable automatic transmission to go with it. The 1.6-liter engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch/automated manual transmission.
This version of the Seltos comes only with all-wheel drive.
On the Road
This Kia has giddyap. At least, it's available with it. Which gives it a leg up over its rivals, which not only don't come with it but don't even offer it.
This is good for Kia and sad for the rest. Why should a practical car have to be boring?
The Turbo-equipped Seltos gets to 60 mph in about seven seconds — which is about two to three seconds sooner than one-engine-only rivals in the segment.
At the Curb
The Seltos has some other things its rivals don't.
For one, it has more cargo room than the previously class-leading Honda HR-V. For two, it has much more back seat and cargo room than the sportier-looking Mazda CX-3.
With its back seats upright, the Seltos can swallow 26.6 cubic feet's worth of stuff — more stuff than the HR-V's 23.2 cubic feet and much more than the CX-3's 17.8 cubic feet. And with both back seats folded flat, the Kia's load space opens up to 62.8 cubic feet, noticeably more than the HR-V's 55.9 cubic feet max and much more than the Mazda's 42.7 cubic feet.
The Kia is also just slightly longer overall than its immediate rivals — 172 inches versus 170.4 inches for the HR-V and 168.3 inches overall for the Mazda — which makes it possible to carry home 8-foot-long fence posts in the Kia, with the rear liftgate closed.
The Rest
EX trims have multiple USB ports — including for the backseat passengers. All trims come standard with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — so you can stream without plugging in.
Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist are also standard.
The Bottom Line
Why settle for just oatmeal when you can have hot oatmeal — with some cinnamon on top, even?
Eric's new book, "Don't Get Taken for a Ride!" is available now. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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