Battle of the Subcompacts | 2021 Kia Seltos SX vs Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- These new-for-2021 subcompact crossovers come from Korea, but that's where the similarities end. We're comparing the 2021 Kia Seltos SX Turbo versus the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ.
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We want to explore the subcompact crossover segment, as many new vehicles have hit the market over the past several years, including these two Korean-built family haulers. This 2021 Kia Seltos SX Turbo and this 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ represent two fully-loaded options from two different manufacturers. On our comparison we go over the important factors buyers want to know if they're in the market for a vehicle like this.
Our 2021 Kia Seltos SX Turbo is priced under $33,000.00 Canadian, and comes with many features buyers are looking for in the segment, including LED headlights and tail lights, LED fog lights, keyless entry, remote starter, active cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a rear backup camera. The Chevrolet Trailblazer also comes with LED headlights, LED fog lights, keyless entry, remote starter, active cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a rear backup camera, but has halogen high beams. The Trailblazer comes with a panoramic sunroof and power opening rear liftgate.
We go over the exterior specifications of both cars, the 1.6L turbo 4 cylinder engine and 7 speed dual clutch transmission on the Kia Seltos, and the 1.3L turbo 3 cylinder engine and 9 speed automatic transmission on the Chevy Trailblazer. We compare the exterior dimensions and which is greater or better for which vehicle. We then talk about the interior dimensions and specifications for each vehicle.
We then take both subcompact crossovers on comprehensive real-world road tests to discuss our independent fuel economy results, and how each vehicle performs, handles, and rides. We discuss the interior designs and features between each and why you might want to consider one over the other.
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Which would you take, and why? The 2021 Kia Seltos or 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Chevrolet :)
Trailblazer all day but I’m a little biased lol
Kia seltos.
Kia Seltos SX
Chevy is under powered with a cvt transmission, kia comes with a dash warning light that tells you when your cvt transmission overheats, nope to both
GM will give more rebates. So, pricing is basically a wash. Trailblazer is the best.
GM is very good with discounting their products, that's for sure.
i'm down to these 2 after crossing the honda hrv from my list. that sunroof, foot powered tailgate and wireless android auto in the trailblazer is really tempting. i also prefer the overall design of the trailblazer, especially inside. ive always found those big screens that sit on top of the dash pretty ugly, like they forgot about it and just threw it there last minute. but the seltos has a better warranty andi already have a kia so i could get a loyalty discount. i'mma go try the both again, but right now, im really tempted by the trailblazer.
That's why this Showdown was so important for me to do, there's a lot to like about either one that might make the decision harder. We have the Seltos as a long-term test unit and love it, haven't done a whole tonne of mileage on it but I did take it on a 500km trip a few weeks ago and it worked out very well.
I’m a Chevy guy but I’d chose the seltos. Kias are so underrated. Usually offer the best “bang for your buck”
Agreed! That’s definitely the case today.
I've seen a Seltos in person, and it's definitely doesn't look subcompact, maybe just compact
It's on the large end of the segment along with this Trailblazer. These are some of the larger ones in the segment, I'd say right at the size limit before being considered compacts.
Yet, it is a subcompact.
Seltos Seltos Seltos all the way 😍😍😍😍😍
Seems like an easy decision for you 😂
A heated steering wheel is now available on the Trailblazer for 2022.
Finally, something it should have had before.
@@PRNTestDrive I agree.
Trailblazer takes it for me, it has everything you will need and Chevy is a good brand if you take care of the vehicle like you are supposed to. The Kia looks good though, but I’m not a Kia person.
Fair enough!
NA 4cyl vs turbo 3 cyl.
Definitely the seltos.
Certainly a benefit for those who want a naturally aspirated engine. You do lose out on some features with the EX Premium 2.0L Seltos, but it still gets you what you need at a very affordable price.
Not a fair comparison, as the 2.0 liter is less powerful on a heavier vehicle. IMO, the way the Trailblazer makes sense is to get it in FWD with the 1.3L in the Active trim and compare it to a Seltos S (not SX) Turbo. Now street price is $25.5K for the Chevy and $24.5K for the Kia, they are about the same performance but the CVT is actually smoother and faster responding than the DCT, but the Trailblazer is slightly more fuel economic, quieter, softer riding, has full leather, a nicer snappier infotainment screen than the Kia base 8", a lot more inputs, and so forth with cool novelty things like a flat folding front seat to store long tiems. And while the MSRP of the Chevy is $3K more, the street price is only $1K difference between those trims.
the trailblazer is my choice here imo, but only with the awd and 1.3
AWD is a must for me too, I don’t see the point of buying one of these subcompacts here in Quebec if it’s FWD only, if I’m buying that I’ll just stick with a compact sedan/hatch.
@@PRNTestDrive I mean fwd is better than rwd when it comes to 2wd, at least for daily drivers. fwd can get you through some pretty hefty snow with good snow tires.
As for this vehicle specifically its to avoid the cvt, as the awd one gets the 9 speed
Agreed! And definitely the transmission is the factor here, everyone seems to be putting CVTs into this segment now, anything to get away from that is a plus.
@@PRNTestDrive FWD with lots of ground clearance makes sense in some markets like Houston, TX. We have flooding in the streets all the time, sometimes mild, but often with a car you are stuck but can slowly wade through with a vehicle like this, and don't need AWD for that. The upright seating position and height also make stepping in and out of the vehicle more comfortable than a sedan where often you have to pull yourself out of the vehicle since they are lower.
@@PRNTestDrive I used to hate on CVTs, and many are proving VERY unreliable like Kia and Nissan have learned, but I actually like the CVT better than the 9-speed automatic. In fact, the 9-speed automatic is so bad, that Ford who entered a partnership on GM for technology sharing tested it and refused to put it into any of their vehicles they found it was so crappy compared to their own 10-speed. Considering how expensive transmissions are to research and test, the fact that Ford turned down GM's free offer tells you something.
Thanks for the comparison. Will def go for the Kia Seltos . Just deciding whether to go for the 1.6 DCT or the 2 litre engine as both offer AWD 😅. Nice video👍🏻always a treat to watch ur videos . Simple Sweet and Precise info with a clear verdict👍🏻
Glad you liked it, thanks! I've driven both engines now for the Kia, both work well for what people need out of them. I do like the added performance on this 1.6L Turbo, has some nice pep to it when getting on the highway.
The 2.0 liter is a super reliable engine with good torque, but Kia's brand new CVT that it is paired to is having SERIOUS problems! Read about it on consumer reports, tons of subscribers having total transmission failures at very low mileage, and while covered under warranty is a huge hassle. Affects the Soul too.
I just bought a 22 Activ Trailblazer. Fully loaded with leather and heated steering wheel. Just wished they had air conditioned seats. Love the panoramic sun visor.
Enjoy it!
Trailblazers are suffering from parts shortages. I work at GM in Alberta and these things fly off the lot as soon as they land. Few and far between but very popular. Even I ordered a 23 Activ. Just waiting for it to come in.
I've started to see a lot more of these on the road.
Good review. I purchased a Setos EX premium. I found the 2.0L and Ivt/cvt with Awd well matched for my needs.The warranty and options for the price make the Kia well worth looking at in my opinion.
Glad to hear it!
I too have seen a bunch of Kia Seltos on the road and yet to see the chevy t.b. personally I'd go with the kia as well.
I was given a 2021 Trailblazer by Chevy to rent while my vehicle is in service. I hate this machine.
It slips in the slight uphill of gravel in my driveway, it feels like it wants to slip on perfect road conditions at high speed turns, when braking normally it takes forever to come to a stop and stomping on the brake throughs everything into the dash.
To be fair, gas consumption is rather nice and the wallet barely feels fill-ups. It has a rather peppy pick up and go to it (compared to my 2015 Equinox which isn’t much to brag about tbf), it’s quite roomy inside, and for myself all of the tech is unnecessary. I particularly dislike the auto-function of the high-beams but even that can be turned off if one remembers too each and every time you start driving.
Do you know what kind of tires are on the rental? Perhaps that's the problem, I've driven some cars with poor grip/control and it was due to cheap tires. These ones seemed fine though we didn't get any snow here. I have a gravel driveway that's on small incline and had no problem.
@@PRNTestDrive Good point, I wowed a friend of mine in a lowly Fiat 500 Abarth just because I put max performance summer tires on it, so he was freaking out when I was taking a highways turnaround entrance ramp at high speed only to realize it didn't even chirp the tires or engage the traction control. The worst are when they put on low rolling resistance tires, they squeal like piggies.
It's worth $ 2700 more being a Chevrolet over a Kia ! Been a chevy guy all my life old habits can't be broken 🤷♂️
Fair enough!
Nice comparison. Also, nice voice tone, tempo and delivery. Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Great video, really helped me decide which of these two *suv's* .......*crossover* ?.....whatevers to buy! Trailblazer for sure, and since I live in the high desert, heated anything won't be missed but really good air conditioning is an absolute must!
Good choice, enjoy it!
Great comparison. Kia and Hyundai give you more for your money!
Yes they do! They're certainly on the top of our lists these days.
Your choice of the Seltos seems based more on price than anything else. Kia dealers here in the US are now asking 3-5k over sticker for the Seltos SX. Change your mind any? The Chevy can be had for slightly below sticker!
I know Chevrolet added a couple of the features we were asking for on the Trailblazer for the 2022+ model years, which would help make it more compelling. If it really were $5k less than the Seltos then perhaps I'd go for it.
The Chevy has OnStar which is Priceless and 4GLTE with the Shark Antenna makes for a Solid WIFI Experience and up to 5 - 8 devices connected. I really think I may sway to Seltos
Those are certainly good points, and ones often overlooked. Normally those add-on features on enabled on our press cars so I never get to use them. But could be important for some!
@@PRNTestDrive Seltos has award winning UVO to compete with OnStar. KIA vs.Daewoo. No challenge who makes a better vehicle. Ask JD Power & Associates. The real challenger is the new Mazda CX-30. But then KIA's warranty is far superior to Mazda's. The hard ride in the Seltos can be slightly dampened by decreasing tire psi 2-3lbs each tire, and adding second level floor mats. Next generation Seltos will have improved ride. KIA value in full complement of safety features mixed with infotainment is unsurpassed in the small SUV segment.
Have a car with Wifi. Never used it. Where the car gets 4G LTE, my phones get 4G LTE. Never felt the need to use the Wifi. Kia UVO services are similar to OnStar. Had those types of services too and never used it either. Everyone is looking for something different I guess. Don't let OnStar lead you a certain way when you can get similar telematics (minus the Wifi) on both.
@@matthewgaines10 The main use for having wifi in the car is for when you have smart radar detectors that need internet connection and it also gives you the option to take your old phone, turn off mobile antenna, and just leave it on wifi and leave it in the car for android-auto/apple-carplay. Wireless AA/carplay renders that somewhat moot, but it was so convenient otherwise to just leave a device in the vehicle and never have to plug anything in.
Take a test drive the Trailblazer is great ride. I'm very happy with my 2021 RS.
I literally can’t choose between these two and there’s cons and pros to both so I don’t even know :(
Personally I'd go with the Seltos!
Never buy GM
Would you say having driven both vehicles that the sightlines are better in the trailblazer since it's higher off the ground?
Possibly, the Trailblazer felt a bit less bulky in terms of the design allowing for a different set of blind spots and visibility. I don't think either one is bad though.
I think i want that 3cyl turbo for a gokart build..
Lol!
Yeah me too, I’d go for the Seltos but one trim down, the EX-L or whatever it’s called, the one with the CVT it AWD, I just don’t trust that 7 speed dual clutch transmission...and yeah I need that heated steering wheel. Thanks for another great review!
Fair enough!
While some 7-speed DCTs have had premature clutch slip issues, particularly used in hot climates in stop and go traffic, the CVTs for this generation of Kia are having serious problems. Read about it on consumer reports, total transmission failures at low mileage, so bad that they put vehicles that use it into their "worst used cars" category for 2020 MY.
@@BoopSnoot Unfortunately, you are correct. I hope they fix it for later model years.
If options are between these two vehicles, I take the Kia Seltos base with non turbo and the CVT, I just don’t trust these little turbos and dual clutch transmission in economy vehicles. As for that abomination named Trail Blazer, it is dead to me with its three cylinder engine not fit for North America.
We'll see how successful GM is with the Trailblazer here. It might be limited to Québec, but I see a lot the Buick Encore GX here.
Thank you for this comparison!
Glad it was helpful!
The Chevy trailblazer should have been offered with the 2.0 litre Turbo gas engine with the 9 speed automatic as optional engine choice ? 1.3 litre Turbo gas engine will put a lot off purchasing this vehicle? Apart from that love the design of the vehicle looks as good as anything else in its class.
I think some will be put off by the engine options for sure, but there's an increasing percentage of buyers who no longer care what kind of power/engine a vehicle has, as long as the price is affordable and the fuel economy is reasonable.
I purchased a 2021 Trailblazer RS 1.3. I traded in a Buick Encore with a 4cyl. turbo. After my test drive with the Trailblazer It surprised me how much torque that 3cyl. had. I drive the interstate is a smooth and quite ride and, effortless power even above 80 mph. And smooth ride in choppy city roads. Very happy. It's loaded up with options I do wish it had a heated steering wheel. But not a deal breaker.
I suggest you take a test drive because it will surprise you. I know I was.
I love my Seltos!
Glad to hear it!
One more thing. I have owned a Hyundai for 11 years. Easily hold the record for most recalls in a vehicle!!!
You're awesome 😎
Thank you!
I bought a Seltos sx turbo..I keep it in the box of my superduty...Ya know just in case...
Could fit, as we've spent some time with the F-250 also!
Nice review. I like both of these. I think, in a couple of years, the Trailblazer could be a real contender (even more so than it is now). By then, it'll probably have full LED headlights & tail lights, and heated seats/steering wheel (and dual-zone climate control). It's just as well for me. I just started a new lease. Maybe by the time I'm done with this one...
That's true, it does sometimes take a few years before some of the other features make it's way to a new vehicle. We'll see how it looks down the road!
where is e38 ? 😁
Same place it's been for a while now 😞
Crosstrek!
I've got one booked in February, stay tuned for another Showdown!
Never buy Chevy
The better choice in this segment is the Mazda CX-30.
That's one I still need to get my hands on.
No way!!! The backseat is extremely uncomfortable!!