2021 Lexus NX Hybrid vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious feel. Its upright design provided a commanding road view, and while the headlight design was intricate, it complemented the grille well. The aggressive lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even if it wasn't designed for such adventures. The two-tone roof and red wheel center accents added a trendy touch. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech, reminiscent of upscale brands. The intuitive layout included a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a sporty handle framing the center stack.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid combined sharp edges and a streamlined profile, maintaining a familiar yet distinct look. Its design hadn't changed much over the years, giving it a blend of novelty and familiarity. The F Sport Black Line model featured a larger mesh grille and dark-finish wheels, with a striking Grecian Water paint. Inside, the NX's design once seemed radical but had become familiar. The F Sport package added unique touches like aluminum pedals and NuLuxe upholstery, though material quality felt more mainstream than luxury.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. AWD was standard on LX and EX, optional on S. The turbocharged 1.6-liter engine in the S Turbo and SX Turbo delivered 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. The turbo engine provided brisk acceleration, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 194 horsepower. It came with standard AWD. Despite its sporty F Sport styling, the NX Hybrid prioritized fuel efficiency over performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds. The sport-tuned suspension improved handling, but the steering felt numb. Drive modes like Eco and Sport offered minimal impact on performance, with Eco mode further reducing acceleration.

The Kia Seltos impressed with its cargo space, offering 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with them folded. It featured numerous storage compartments and ample rear-seat space, providing comfort uncommon in subcompact SUVs.

The Lexus NX Hybrid, however, had limited interior space. It offered the least front headroom in its segment and cramped rear seats. Cargo space was also limited, with 16.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded. The dashboard design aimed for a sporty feel, but rear visibility was compromised by thick pillars.

The Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base trim, with a 10.25-inch screen on the SX Turbo. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though connecting a smartphone via USB could be frustrating due to default audio settings. The system was intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for easy navigation.

The Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point. It included an 8-inch display with optional 10.3-inch screen, but lacked a touchscreen. The Remote Touch Interface touchpad was difficult to use while driving. Despite analog controls for some functions, the system felt dated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s. The base audio system was underwhelming, making the Mark Levinson upgrade appealing.

The Kia Seltos came with standard airbags, electronic stability control, and child-seat anchors. Most trims included driver-assistance features like forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning. The SX added adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection.

The Lexus NX Hybrid earned a “Top Safety Pick+” from IIHS and a five-star NHTSA rating. It included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 with features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, though a 360-degree camera was absent.