2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Kia Telluride

The 2020 Ford Explorer sported a striking exterior that was more refined and athletic than its predecessors. Its widened headlights, extra-large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge presented a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior failed to match the high expectations set by the exterior. The so-called leather felt like low-grade vinyl, and hard, coarse plastics marred the overall feel. Despite some aluminum touches and white stitching attempting to elevate the look, the Explorer's interior was found lacking compared to what one might expect for its price range.

In contrast, the 2020 Kia Telluride impressed with its upscale and cohesive design, both inside and out. While the large Kia badge on its grille seemed somewhat archaic, the overall design drew favorable comparisons to premium SUVs. Boxy, upright themes along with elegantly wide-spaced headlights and a minimalist approach gave the Telluride a clean look that promised to age well. Inside, the quality of materials suggested a far more expensive vehicle. Features like twin grab handles, wide air vents, a matte wood finish, and silver-painted buttons lent the interior a high-end feel. Even on the lower trims, the fit and finish were commendable, with premium touches like Nappa leather on higher trims further enhancing its luxury appeal.

The 2020 Ford Explorer made a strong argument with its performance. The ST trim's 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine produced an impressive 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup offered smooth, uninterrupted power delivery and agility that belied the SUV's size. Even the base 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four engine was noteworthy, producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) gave the Explorer a balanced feel, similar to luxury SUVs. It also offered all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option, with decent fuel efficiency ratings that ranged from 20/27/23 for the inline-four to 18/24/20 for the turbo V6. The vehicle had a towing capacity of up to 5,600 pounds when equipped with the V6 and AWD.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. While powerful enough to move the car swiftly, the Telluride's transmission could be inconsistent and sometimes delayed in response. The steering and handling felt softer and less precise than the Explorer, but the ride quality benefited from double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride offered a solid 5,000-pound towing capacity with the towing package, and delivered decent fuel economy, rated at 19/24/21 with AWD. While not as dynamically engaging as the Explorer, the Telluride prioritized comfort and quietness.

On a road trip to Maine, the 2020 Ford Explorer demonstrated its spaciousness and practicality. It offered expansive legroom and headroom in all three rows, with six-foot-tall adults fitting comfortably in the third row for short journeys. The second row felt like first class, especially with features like air vents, USB ports, a handy center console, and an optional panoramic moonroof. However, cargo space behind the third row measured 18 cubic feet, which was less than the previous model's 21 cubic feet. Folding down the second row opened up 48 cubic feet, and with all seats folded, it provided 88 cubic feet of cargo space, making it one of the roomiest in its class.

The 2020 Kia Telluride offered seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and EX seats eight, while the S and SX trims provided captain's chairs in the second row, seating seven. The second-row seats were as cushy as those in the front, with features like heating, cooling, and manual side-window shades. The third-row also offered decent room for adults and could recline for added comfort. With all seats in place, the Telluride provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than the Explorer. Folding all seats down expanded the space to a generous 87 cubic feet, making it nearly as capacious as the Explorer but with superior passenger comfort.

The 2020 Ford Explorer's Co-Pilot360 came standard with forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. Upgrading to the Assist+ package brought adaptive cruise control with steering assistance and reverse braking, although the latter had some issues with false activations. Standard safety included a front knee airbag for the driver. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet tested it, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Explorer as "Acceptable" in the small overlap test on the driver's side, which was not quite expected of a brand-new vehicle.

The 2020 Kia Telluride, although not yet tested by NHTSA or IIHS, was predicted to achieve high safety ratings. It featured abundant active driver assists standard across all trims, including forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit Assist used the blind-spot system to prevent rear doors from opening if an oncoming vehicle was detected. Optional features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors. Unlike the Ford, Telluride's standard safety included a driver's knee airbag, but not for the front passenger.