2020 Kia Telluride vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Kia Telluride was a significant departure from Kia's previous reputation for producing adequate but uninspiring vehicles. It appeared far more expensive than its price tag suggested, although the Kia badge somewhat detracted from its upscale look. The Telluride's design was a blend of boxy and fluid elements, reminiscent of a big Chevy and a new Volvo. Its clean, minimal design, with special details like amber LED running lights and large "TELLURIDE" badges, gave it a distinctive and classy appearance. Inside, the Telluride's interior was surprisingly luxurious, with features like Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner in the SX trim. Despite some lower-quality materials, the overall fit and finish were impressive, making it feel like a much more expensive vehicle.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained the classic Range Rover aesthetic with no gratuitous styling changes to indicate its hybrid nature. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, maintaining the vehicle's sleek look. The Range Rover Sport PHEV started at a higher price point, reflecting its premium status. My test vehicle, with nearly $13,000 in options, showcased its inherent good looks with Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the cabin was filled with high-quality materials, and the front seats offered excellent comfort with heating, ventilation, and a wide range of adjustments. However, the narrow, adjustable inboard armrests were less comfortable than the center console armrest. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a tall riding position and good thigh support, with features like 4-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic glass roof enhancing the experience.

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 FWD and AWD options, with AWD available for an additional $2,000. While the Telluride's power delivery was sufficient to move its substantial weight, the transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent. The steering was slow, and there was noticeable body lean, but the ride quality was smooth, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride's towing capacity matched the Honda Pilot's at 5,000 pounds, with the $795 Towing package. Fuel economy was EPA-estimated at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models, with FWD models achieving slightly better figures.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of up to 31 miles of all-electric driving range, my test vehicle struggled to achieve this, often defaulting to hybrid mode. The Range Rover Sport PHEV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a notable improvement over previous models. The SUV provided quick acceleration and felt athletic on mountain roads, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, making smooth stops difficult. The Range Rover Sport PHEV retained its off-roading capability, with multiple traction settings and the ability to ford 33.4 inches of water. Recharging the battery took up to 14 hours using a standard household outlet, but the battery often failed to reach full capacity.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and EX trims seated eight, while the S and SX trims offered seven seats with reclining captain's chairs in the second row. The SX trim added heating and cooling for the second-row seats, manual side-window shades, and a third climate zone. The Telluride's cabin 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 raised and 87 cubic feet with them flat. The interior featured analog gauges, buttons, knobs, and a regular PRNDL shifter, complemented by two displays. The EX and SX trims had a 10.3-inch screen, while the SX also had a 7-inch screen for the instrument panel and a color head-up display.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV had a compromised cargo area due to the battery beneath the raised cargo floor, reducing the space to 27.5 cubic feet. The cargo area was prone to items falling out when the tailgate was opened. Despite this, the Range Rover Sport PHEV comfortably accommodated five passengers. Front-seat comfort was excellent, with heated and ventilated seats offering a wide range of adjustments. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a tall riding position and good thigh support, with features like 4-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic glass roof enhancing the experience. However, practical storage was limited, especially with the optional refrigerated center console bin.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote access to the car via an app. A proximity key was also standard. Upper trims with navigation featured fast and accurate voice inputs and online search capabilities. However, the lack of onboard WiFi was a notable shortcoming. The SX trim offered a live feed of blind spots on the instrument cluster, Highway Driving Assist, a quiet mode, and an intercom for the third row. The SX also had bright LED headlights, dual moonroofs, and a Harman Kardon surround stereo. The standard 6-speaker stereo was less impressive.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which could be challenging to use. Despite spending time setting up the system, I experienced occasional difficulties accessing specific features and functions. The system sometimes behaved unexpectedly, and the lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen was a drawback. While the Range Rover Sport PHEV's technology was designed to manage its complexity, it could be frustrating for drivers, especially those less comfortable with advanced technology.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top scores. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of active driver assists, including forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit Assist, which prevented passengers from opening the rear doors if an approaching vehicle was detected, was also standard. Optional features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors. A driver's knee airbag was standard, but the front passenger did not have one.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with numerous advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which were essential given the potential for driver distraction from the onboard technology. The optional Driver Assist Package included a new steering-assist system, which could be aggressive and cause head-toss. The lane-keeping assist system also worked too abruptly, leading me to turn off these features. Crash-test ratings for the Range Rover Sport were unavailable, but its nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a significant advantage in collisions.