The 2021 Kia Seltos anchors a family of crossover SUVs with its choice of 4-cylinders and available wide-screen infotainment
Pros Kicky looks Big 10.3-inch touchscreen (optional) Available all-wheel drive Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Cons Base engine’s low output Unknown which safety features come standard
New subcompact crossover slots between the Soul and the Sportage.The Kia Seltos is an all-new model for 2021.
Pros Impressive interior materials Lots of standard and available tech Plenty of cargo space for a compact SUV Brimming with personality
Cons Rough ride on the highway Limited space for passengers in the back seat
Everything. Seltos is an all-new SUV for the Kia brand and, despite being on sale in global markets for 2020, is launching in the North American market for the 2021 model year.
Pros Spacious interior, sweet optional 10.3-inch infotainment, spry handling.
Cons Firm ride, seven-speed automatic hesitant at low speeds, driver-assistance features not standard.
The SsangYong Tivoli is central to this aim, its built on an all-new platform to compete with cars such as the Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport and the Vauxhall Mokka in the ever-popular (and still growing) small crossover market. While the Tivoli can’t match the striking styling of the Juke, this is arguably the best-looking SsangYong yet, and the company is claiming to have taken massive strides on the inside, too. The car will also come loaded with kit, including an optional seven-inch central screen on the dashboard.
Pros Spacious for its size Generous standard equipment Cheap
Cons Not as striking as the Juke Quality falls behind the best in class Bland to drive
The Ssangyong Tivoli competes in the small SUV market, alongside rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul. These cars offer the look and feel of an off-roader, but with performance and running costs more akin to a family hatchback. Do bear in mind, however, they’re better suited to on-road driving than traversing muddy lanes. That’s certainly the case with the Tivoli, although unlike its aforementioned rivals, you can order it with four-wheel drive on higher trims. A 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel is available throughout the range, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic is available for both engines on all but the entry-level SE.
You can put aside your reservations about the SsangYong badge, because the Tivoli is a thoroughly capable small crossover for the money. It’s not the most stylish inside or out, and it won’t win awards for ride comfort or refinement, but you get a lot of space and kit for little financial outlay. The latter two points are especially true of the Tivoli XLV, but it’s more expensive, and we'd go for the two-wheel-drive version to save some money. The standard Tivoli is decent to drive, while with the diesel engine and is by far the best on-road car SsangYong has built yet.
