2022 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while stepping into the luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new platforms, leading to the current XC90, which launched in 2016 as the flagship SUV on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. The XC90's design was characterized by a poised stance, sleek roofline, and pronounced wheel arches, with a nod to its heritage through the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights. The interior exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering four trim levels in Canada. The Seltos Nightfall Edition, tested in the U.S., was similar to the top SX grade, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos had a stylish interior with exposed stitching and metallic accents, though it was marred by shiny hard plastics. The controls were logically arranged, with a mix of knobs and buttons, but the infotainment system's purple accent colour was not universally appealing. Despite some nitpicks, the Seltos was larger, more refined, and more powerful than many of its direct competitors.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 250 horsepower, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp, and the Recharge plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Recharge model boasted an 8.8 L/100 km combined rating in hybrid mode and a 29-kilometre EV range. The XC90's driving experience was superb, with minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, especially in the Recharge Inscription extended range model.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower in the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, paired with a CVT. The SX trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Seltos had Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos returned a fuel consumption rating of 8.7 L/100 km in combined driving. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six- and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for children, while the cargo capacity ranged from 357 litres behind the third row to 1,855 litres with all seats folded. The XC90 could tow up to 2,250 kilograms and featured ample interior storage, a spacious cabin, and effective climate control, making it a comfortable family vehicle.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, with a roomy interior and easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The front seats were comfortable, though the upper door panel trim was hard plastic. The rear seat offered generous legroom and footroom, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port on upper trims. Cargo space measured 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down, with additional storage options like a smartphone shelf.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen, offering smartphone-like gestures and Bluetooth functionality. However, the system was occasionally glitchy and slow, performing better with Apple CarPlay. The XC90 also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and a Harman-Kardon audio system on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity via cable. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical controls for primary functions, but lacked a native conversational voice recognition system.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. It received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The SX trim offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.