2021 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly big-car feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and while the headlight design was somewhat busy, it seamlessly integrated with the grille styling. Although not intended for off-roading, the Seltos featured an aggressive lower front bumper, hinting at its on-road prowess. The red circles around the wheel centres added a sporty touch, complementing its dynamic driving characteristics. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The intuitive layout, including a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a sporty handle framing the centre stack, underscored Kia's utilitarian yet sporty approach.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to Buick's glory days with its large, shiny, and impressive design. As the largest SUV in Buick's lineup, the Enclave offered a premium look, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir continued the upscale theme with organic forms, minimalist instrumentation, and polished accents. The cabin was adorned with soft, perforated leather, though the wood accents were not genuine. The Enclave's simplicity extended to its controls, although the electronic transmission shifter required some acclimation. Overall, the Enclave's design aimed to blend luxury with practicality.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While adequate for city driving, this engine struggled at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway passing. The Seltos also featured a Drive Mode dial with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its subcompact size, the Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The nine-speed automatic provided seamless shifts, and the Enclave's suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, offered a premium-tuned ride with continuously variable damping. The Enclave's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank. Overall, the Enclave delivered a comfortable and composed driving experience.

The 2021 Kia Seltos excelled in cargo space, offering 752 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 1,778 litres with the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, even surpassing some compact models. The Seltos also provided ample storage compartments and impressive rear-seat space, with generous head- and legroom for passengers.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious and comfortable seating for six or seven passengers. The Enclave's cabin was designed for comfort and quietness, featuring Buick's QuietTuning technology, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated glass. The Avenir trim included power-adjustable, massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a stylish centre console. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access and commendable comfort. Cargo space measured 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,642 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,764 litres with the second row down.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured a range of infotainment options, with the base LX and EX trims offering a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen and an 8-inch touchscreen. The EX Premium and SX Turbo trims upgraded to a 7-inch digital display and a 10.25-inch touchscreen, capable of displaying Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other data. The SX Turbo also included a Bose premium sound system. While the infotainment system was generally intuitive, some quirks, such as USB port functionality, were noted.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times and a simple user interface. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the Enclave's 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system fell short compared to competitors. The Avenir trim offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video feed of the rear view. Despite these features, the Enclave's infotainment technology needed improvement to compete in the premium segment.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. In Canada, the base LX trim included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features, such as collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited in availability. In Canada, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, but advanced features like forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist were restricted to higher trims. The Avenir Technology Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars. The IIHS rated it highly, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.