2020 Kia Telluride vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Kia Telluride was a standout in Kia's lineup, breaking away from the brand's reputation for budget-friendly vehicles. It presented a sophisticated design that belied its price, with a style that seemed more luxurious than its badge suggested. The Telluride's exterior combined the robust presence of a large SUV with elegant curves reminiscent of high-end European models. Its clean, minimalistic design featured distinctive elements like vertical headlights and hockey stick-shaped taillights, which contributed to its upscale appearance. Inside, the Telluride offered a cabin that could easily be mistaken for a luxury vehicle, with high-quality materials and a well-thought-out layout. Despite some cost-cutting measures, such as the use of hard plastics in lower areas, the interior remained inviting and classy, with features like Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position within the Range Rover family, offering a blend of sleek styling and traditional SUV elements. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinctive profile, setting it apart from the more upright Range Rover models. The Velar's design was both modern and intimidating, with a broad front end and short overhangs that hinted at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 namesake, featuring high-quality leather and metal trim that catered more to urban environments. The cockpit-like feel, with a tall instrument panel and door panels, created a unique driving experience, although it could feel cramped compared to other SUVs. The Velar's design choices, while stylish, sometimes compromised practicality, such as limited headroom and visibility.

The 2020 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. While the Telluride's power delivery was generally sufficient, the transmission's response could be inconsistent, with delayed downshifts during acceleration. Despite this, the Telluride offered strong braking and a comfortable ride, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. Its steering and handling were more aligned with mainstream SUVs, lacking the agility of luxury competitors. The Telluride's towing capacity matched the Honda Pilot at 5,000 pounds, and its fuel economy was competitive, with an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, delivering 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain enabled the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with some competitors offering quicker acceleration. The Dynamic Edition featured enhancements like bigger brakes, retuned suspension, and an active exhaust system, but it didn't fully transform the Velar into a performance SUV. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar also boasted off-road capabilities with features like Terrain Response and All-Terrain Progress Control.

The 2020 Kia Telluride offered flexible seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim level. The interior was spacious, with ample room in the second row and a tolerable third row for adults. Cargo capacity was generous, with 21 cubic feet available with all seats up and 87 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Telluride's interior featured analog controls that complemented its digital displays, providing a user-friendly experience. Higher trims included a 10.3-inch infotainment screen and a 7-inch instrument panel display, enhancing the vehicle's tech appeal.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offered a unique size that didn't translate to more interior space. Its avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and created a claustrophobic feel inside. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's interior design, with a cockpit-like front seating area, provided a distinct driving experience but could feel cramped. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models rated at 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came equipped with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote access to the vehicle via an app. Upper trims featured advanced navigation with voice inputs and live traffic updates. The Telluride's technology suite included a live blind-spot feed, Highway Driving Assist, and a quiet mode for the stereo. The SX trim boasted additional features like LED headlights, dual moonroofs, and a premium Harman Kardon surround sound system.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens handling various functions. The system included a built-in WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. While the graphics and menu layout were praised, the system's slow response times were a drawback. The Velar also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, contributing to its modern cabin design.

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, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Telluride also featured Safe Exit Assist, which prevented passengers from opening doors into oncoming traffic. Optional safety features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, as luxury vehicles like the Velar were a lower priority for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. While the Velar offered some driver-assist tech, it was less comprehensive than competitors, with fewer standard features.