Yes, just a couple of sentences above, we
said this would be a test of affordable
small SUVs. More on that in a bit.
If the development of the Kia Seltos
were a movie, it would be called Honey,
I Shrunk the Telluride. The same smart
thinking that made the Telluride our 2020
SUV of the Year appears here in slimmed-
down form, with a choice of a 146-hp
2.0-liter four-cylinder and a continuously
variable transmission or a 175-hp 1.6-liter
turbo-four mated to a seven-speed dual-
clutch gearbox. Pricing for the Seltos S in
front-drive trim starts at $23,110, though
our as-tested SX Turbo AWD came across
at $29,485.
Rounding out the field is the Mazda
CX-30, not to be confused with its
similar-sized cousin, the CX-3 crossover.
Getting into the alphanumeric nonsense
would take too long here, so just know
“Within the first 100 feet you can feel
the quality of engineering in the Seltos,”
features editor Scott Evans said. “It
drives very nicely. It turns in sharply and
handles body motions well. It rides well
over choppy, bumpy roads. This is just a
pleasant car to drive.”
Associate online editor Nick Yekikian
described the Seltos as “far more athletic
than you would ever imagine,” though
he noted its transmission suffers the
occasional low-speed lurch as the clutch
engages when accelerating from a stop.
Although the Mazda’s steering
feels progressive and seems to hold a
curve pretty well, the CX-30 relies on a
surprisingly gutless engine and outdated
six-speed to get moving. Once up to speed,
the tall, widely spaced gearing results in
transmission hunting on long inclines,
often requiring a double or triple down-
shift to get into the naturally aspirated
engine’s narrower powerband.
Meanwhile, the CX-30’s jittery
suspension over routine bobbles results inthe CX-30 is basically a hiked-up Mazda
3 hatchback. It comes with a 2.5-liter
inline-four that punches out 186 hp and
sends it through an old-timey six-speed
automatic. Although you can get into the
CX-30 for about 22 grand, our loaded
2020 Premium Pack trim was priced at
$31,425 at the time of testing.DRIVING
Right out the gate, most judges preferred
the Kia’s driving feel over the other two
competitors, on freeway stretches and
on winding roads alike. Not that it’s
plush like some luxury cars; remember,
we’re talking basic transport here, so it’s
a matter of degrees of discomfort. (Note
to self: good name for next emo band
side project.) But the Seltos is no kidney
puncher. It delivers a relatively smooth
ride and reasonably nimble handling.Chevrolet TrailblazerAPRIL 2021 MOTORTREND.COM 37