Kia Seltos vs Nissan Rogue Sport
2021 Kia Seltos
Price as tested: $26,000
Specs: 2.0 Liter 4 Cylinder — 140 HP
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Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi
Pictures: Manufacturers
It’s amazing how two vehicles that have almost the exact same specs from engine, transmission, length and width…can be so drastically different. This is that tale. A tale of the Kia Seltos vs the Nissan Rogue Sport.
Let’s breakdown the similarities:
Engine:
2.0 Liter 4 Cylinder
Kia Seltos: 146 HP
Nissan Rogue Sport: 141 HP
Transmission
CVT
Kia Seltos: Same
Nissan Rogue Sport: Same
Dimensions
Length
Kia Seltos: 172 in
Nissan Rogue Sport: 173 in
Width
Kia Seltos: 71 in
Nissan Rogue Sport: 73 in
But that is where the similarities end. Let’s get this out of the way first. The Kia Seltos is a better buy. Actually, scratch that, it’s not just a mere ‘better buy’…it’s genuinely a good car! But here is the kicker. Our test model on the Nissan Rogue Sport stickered for $32,000…this Seltos snickered for $26,000…and it comes with AWD that is not even offered in the Rogue Sport.
Let’s go ahead and breakdown the Great, Good, Bad, Ugly and Overall on the 2021 Kia Seltos:
The Great:
Kia/Hyundai kidnapped someone from Porsche. It’s the only logical explanation. EVERY single one of their vehicles I have driven this year has not just good steering feel…it’s excellent. Beautifully weighted, great feel and direct. Just superb.
Not sure how they did it, but the fine folks over at Kia carved out every nook and cranny for interior room. Front room is great but rear legroom is tremendous! The best part is that it doesn’t impede unto cargo room. The cargo room is great!
Front seats offer excellent support, comfort and adjustability and that goes for the rear as well.
The Good:
Even with similar drivetrain specs as the Rogue Sport, the Seltos drives radically different. There is more ‘pep’ from the engine and even with the CVT it feels better tuned to offer less ‘rubber bandy’ experience.
Suspension tuning is compliant, comfortable and stunningly fun to drive. No, it’s not a Macan but throw the Seltos into a corner and add the fact the steering feels alive in your hands…trust me a grin will emerge on your face.
The Bad:
Not a big fan of the split headlight treatment that is spreading across the crossover segment like COVID-19. So saying that, obviously not a fan of the looks.
The Ugly:
Honestly…nothing really
Overall:
If you’re in the market for a compact crossover. Drive this. And this buy it. Or just buy this. Actually not this exact one…spend a couple bucks more and get the turbo 4 and the 7 speed DCT. It will be perfect.
