The battle between small SUVs just intensified. The new 2021 Ford Bronco Sport just pulled ahead of the 2021 Kia Seltos. The Kia Seltos is also a brand new option that recently made its debut, but why does it rank behind the Ford Bronco Sport? 

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs. the 2021 Kia Seltos 

According to Auto Blog, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport ranks higher than the 2021 Kia Seltos. They complied a list of the best small SUV options for 2021 that includes 11 options total to help you shop. 

The best SUV on their list is the 2021 Honda CR-V, but today we’re focusing on the new options in town. The Ford Bronco Sport came in fourth place while the Kia Seltos landed in fifth place. Also, we aren’t saying one SUV option is better than the other. 

Each SUV has features that are perfect for some drivers and annoying for others. It’s important to find the right option that best fits your needs in terms of price, ride quality, space, capability, and more. 

Why did the Ford Bronco Sport rank higher? 

Auto Blog mentioned that the highs for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport include its off-roading capabilities, cargo space, storage, and cargo features, and its distinctive style. They also mentioned that its fuel economy could be better, and the interior includes some cheap plastics. 

Their team noted that the Kia Seltos has a surprising amount of space, great acceleration from its turbo models, user-friendly tech, and distinct design. But they also shared that the interior has cheap materials. 

The Ford Bronco Sport starts at around $26,820, and the Kia Seltos begins at about $21,990. So, you can save with the Seltos without sacrificing much space.

The Bronco Sport offers 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats with up to 65.2 cubic feet total. The Seltos provides 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats with up to 62.8 cubic feet total. 

With the base model, the Kia Seltos has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. Edmunds shared that it has a sluggish acceleration and sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.1 seconds. You can upgrade to the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. 

The Ford Bronco Sport has a 1.5-liter three-cylinder base engine with 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Edmunds got it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. 

Ford Bronco Sport and Kia Seltos features 

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport has more than enough space in the front for adults, but passenger space is limited in the rear. It doesn’t have a ride that’s as smooth as competitor’s, but that’s because it’s off-roading oriented. 

The 2021 Kia Seltos has plenty of space in the front and back row, which passengers will appreciate. The ride can be bumpy, but it’s not too bad. Wind noise enters the cabin at higher speeds. 

Both SUVs have similar tech, but the critics rave over the Seltos optional 10.3-inch touchscreen display. The Bronco Sport has an 8-inch touchscreen system. They both have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Bronco Sport has more standard safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning, while these are optional with the Seltos.