2020 Kia Telluride vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Kia Telluride was a standout in Kia's lineup, breaking away from the brand's reputation for budget-friendly adequacy. It presented a more upscale appearance than its price suggested, although the prominent Kia badge on its grille was seen as a drawback by some, including Kia's chief U.S. designer. The Telluride's design was a blend of boxy and fluid elements, reminiscent of high-end SUVs like the Chevy and Volvo. Its clean, minimalistic design was expected to age well, with special details like amber LED running lights and hockey stick-shaped taillights adding to its appeal. Inside, the Telluride's interior was likened to a Mercedes-Benz, with high-quality materials and a solid build, although some elements like the wood were not entirely genuine. The SX-trim with the Prestige Package offered luxurious features like Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner, making it feel more expensive than its actual cost of $46,930.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a bold and experimental design that was not universally appealing. Its grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings were points of contention. However, the interior was characterized by a sense of drama, with a dual-cowl dashboard and high-contrast color schemes. The materials used were not as high-quality as the design suggested, with glossy plastics and stiff leather seats, but the build quality was excellent. The Santa Fe's interior was comfortable, with thoughtful details like a Clean Air ionizer and a massive panoramic sunroof. The rear seats were spacious and reclined for added comfort, although the cargo space was somewhat limited compared to other midsize SUVs. The hands-free smart liftgate was a convenient feature, opening automatically when the key fob was detected nearby.

The 2020 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter being a $2,000 upgrade. While the Telluride's power was sufficient for its size, the transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent. The steering was slow, and there was noticeable body lean, but the ride was smooth and quiet, thanks to double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the optional Towing package and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, offered a choice between a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter engine and a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 235 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine provided better performance, especially at higher altitudes, and was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, and it achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in combined driving with the 2.0T engine. The Santa Fe offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and light-effort steering, making it a good daily driver. It handled moderate off-roading with ease but lacked the driver engagement found in some competitors.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim, with the option of captain's chairs in the second row. The interior was spacious, with ample room in the second row and a tolerable third row for adults. Cargo capacity was 21 cubic feet with all seats up and 87 cubic feet with them folded flat. The Telluride featured analog controls and a configurable infotainment system, with upper trims offering a 10.3-inch screen and a 7-inch instrument panel display.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a two-row SUV with seating for five passengers. It offered comfortable front seats with power adjustments and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats were also comfortable, with air vents and sunshades for added convenience. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited to 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 71.3 cubic feet with them folded. The SUV featured creative storage solutions and a hands-free smart liftgate for easy access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote access to the vehicle. Upper trims offered navigation with voice inputs, live traffic updates, and a Harman Kardon surround sound system. The Telluride also featured a live blind-spot feed, Highway Driving Assist, and an intercom system for communication with rear passengers.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo control knobs, shortcut buttons, and a programmable button. It included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL trim added SiriusXM radio and Blue Link connected services with three years of free service. The Limited trim offered a larger display, navigation, a surround-view camera, and a 12-speaker Infinity sound system. The Santa Fe also featured a head-up display and a sophisticated voice recognition system.

The 2020 Kia Telluride was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured Safe Exit Assist and a driver's knee airbag. Although it had not been crash-tested at the time, top safety scores were anticipated.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe received a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It came standard with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and a driver monitoring system. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, along with a safe exit assist system. The Limited trim included a Blind-Spot View Monitor and an ultrasonic occupant alert system.