2021 Kia Telluride vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling, with curvy and car-like lines, bore a family resemblance to Honda's sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. This design approach made the CR-V a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials that didn't always harmonize. While higher trims featured wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these upscale touches clashed with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were still upgrades of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Telluride was praised for its terrific styling both inside and out. The exterior design was well-executed, with no lines or details deserving criticism. Inside, the Telluride's interior was a model of contemporary design and quality execution, with only some glossy hard plastic on the lower parts detracting from its overall appeal. The transmission shifter, placed to the left side of the center console, preserved storage space and felt solid and smooth in operation, adding to the sense of quality. However, the Telluride's interior color options were limited to black or gray unless buyers opted for the SX trim, which was one of the few flaws in its look and feel.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain was well-matched to the CR-V, offering a quick feel, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, with excellent handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its nimble handling and impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined and AWD models managing 29 mpg.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, on the other hand, was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Kia's Drive Mode Select technology offered various driving modes, including Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The Telluride's AWD system, with a low-speed Lock function, provided excellent traction, and its eight inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle challenging terrain. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth and compliant ride. While it wasn't a performance-oriented SUV, it offered commendable grip and could handle twisty roads with ease. The AWD Telluride achieved an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, with real-world testing averaging 20.5 mpg.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan without feeling oversized. The CR-V's excellent seating position and low cowl provided good visibility, while clever storage solutions, like the deep center console and two-position load floor, enhanced its practicality. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V offered 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and even the door pockets were spacious, making it easy to live with.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with the SX trim offering a 14-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a forward view reminiscent of a Range Rover. The test SUV featured heated and ventilated front seats, with the Prestige package adding distinctive leather upholstery. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated and ventilated, with side-window sunshades and an overhead climate control panel. The third-row seat was usable for adults, and a button allowed easy access. The Telluride's smart hands-free power liftgate provided convenience, revealing 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 87 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen in the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ones in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Telluride came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard. The EX and SX trims featured a 10.25-inch screen with navigation and other upgrades. Kia's UVO Link Lite connected services plan was free for five years, offering features like Rear Occupant Alert and remote engine start. The Telluride's infotainment system was user-friendly, with menu shortcut buttons and intuitive touchscreen operation. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, and features like Driver Talk and Quiet Mode enhanced the driving experience.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" system, which included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim's LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured the Drive Wise collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, and forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Highway Drive Assist, standard on EX and SX trims, offered a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with the only drawback being the Poor-rated standard headlights.