2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious and commanding driving experience. Its upright design provided a clear view of the road, and the headlight design, though intricate, seamlessly integrated with the grille. While not intended for off-roading, the Seltos featured an aggressive lower front bumper, hinting at its dynamic on-road capabilities. The red accents around the wheel centres added a sporty touch, complementing its overall aesthetic. Inside, the Seltos boasted a clean and intuitive design, with tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash provided visual symmetry, while the handle framing the centre stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar look with subtle updates for the new model year. The refreshed grille and front bumper, along with standard LED headlights, modernized its appearance. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Odyssey offered a luxurious feel with perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting. The minivan's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with improvements in seating material and design. The Odyssey's spaciousness and thoughtful storage solutions made it a practical choice for families, while its handsome new wheels and toned-down chrome added a touch of elegance.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with 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). This setup was adequate for city driving but lacked power 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, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway driving. The Seltos offered three drive modes—Normal, Sport, and Smart—allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. Despite its subcompact size, the Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivered smooth and effortless power, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, achieving an average of 10.8 L/100 km in testing. While the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, it offered a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The minivan's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during extended use, indicating a need for improvement.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided impressive cargo space, with 752 litres available behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, even surpassing some compact models. The Seltos offered ample storage compartments and cubbies throughout the cabin, ensuring practicality for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats provided generous head- and legroom, a notable feature for a subcompact SUV.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and practicality, as expected of a minivan. It featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in higher trims. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo space was abundant, with 929 litres behind the third-row seat, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres with the second row removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, despite improvements in seat folding.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered a range of infotainment options, with the base LX and EX trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen system. The EX Premium and SX Turbo trims upgraded to 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 Honda Odyssey came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connectivity features. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim featured an 11-speaker premium audio system and wireless smartphone charging. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, while functional, lacked a touchscreen interface, which disappointed some users.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard 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 added advanced 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 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard inclusion of Honda Sensing, an advanced driving assistance system. This system added low-speed follow capability, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems were effective, though not always smooth. The Odyssey maintained its impressive safety ratings, with top scores from the NHTSA and expected high ratings from the IIHS.