The 2021 Mazda CX-30 and the 2021 Kia Seltos are attractive compact SUVs with many benefits. Because they have so many similarities, it can be challenging to choose between the two.

However, the Kia Seltos offers two significant advantages: its warranty and standard all-wheel drive.

Pros and cons of the 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos starts at $23,110. It features a 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. It gets 29 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 31 mpg.

Of note is the cargo space. With 26.6 cubic feet, the Seltos stands out in this segment as particularly roomy. It offers attractive styling, and reviewers have praised its available turbo engine.

But even with its base engine, Kelley Blue Book found the Seltos to be fairly spry. It offers a pleasant ride, and it’s easy to park. Test drivers also found that the five-passenger cabin is spacious and comfortable. It offers below-floor storage in the rear and comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

However, the entry-level trim falls short. According to Kelley Blue Book, the base model has standard all-wheel drive or active safety features, but not both. Additionally, the Seltos earned an overall safety rating of 4 stars from the NHTSA. That rating isn’t bad, but it’s lower than the Mazda CX-30’s 5-star rating.

What reviewers have to say about the Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 starts at $23,000, making it almost identical in price to the Kia Seltos. It features a 2.5-liter inline-four engine that makes 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The CX-30 gets 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway for a combined 28 mpg. When equipped with the optional 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, the CX-30 has some of the highest horsepower available in this class. All-wheel drive is also available.

Kelley Blue Book praises the CX-30’s style, calling it “classy and engaging.” The cabin is roomy, especially for a compact crossover. However, test drivers found the second row somewhat cramped for taller passengers.

The CX-30 also has one other main flaw. Kelley Blue Book notes that, although this vehicle offers a significant number of features, a few of them are available only on the top trim level. That bumps up the price of an otherwise affordable SUV.

The Seltos’ two biggest advantages

All things considered, the Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30 share many similarities. From price to performance, these vehicles are neck-and-neck in many areas. However, the Seltos has two major advantages: standard all-wheel drive and an excellent warranty. Kia is known for its generous warranties, and this is no exception. The Seltos comes with a five-year/60,000-mile warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Additionally, the Seltos boasts a bigger cargo hold and better combined fuel economy: 31 mpg versus the CX-30’s 28 mpg. Plus, the Kia has an incredible warranty and standard all-wheel drive. So if you’re torn between these two crossovers, the 2021 Kia Seltos is probably the better pick.