2020 Kia Telluride vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Kia Telluride marked a significant departure from Kia's previous reputation for producing merely adequate vehicles. It presented a design that appeared far more expensive than its actual price, though the Kia badge somewhat detracted from its upscale look. The Telluride's exterior design was a blend of boxy and fluid elements, reminiscent of both a big Chevy and a new Volvo. The front featured upright, rectilinear themes with wide-spaced vertical headlights and a silver mesh grille. The shoulder line along the vehicle's side gently protruded, similar to the XC90. The Telluride's clean, minimal design, with special details like amber LED running lights and hockey stick-shaped taillights, was intended to age well and evoke a sense of luxury.

Inside, the Telluride's interior could easily be mistaken for that of a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. It featured twin grab handles, wide air vents, an ultra-wide touchscreen, and matte wood accents. While some materials, like the wood, were not entirely real, the overall fit, quality, and colors were tasteful and classy. The SX-trim test vehicle with the Prestige Package added Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner, making the interior feel luxurious. Despite some lower sections of the dash being hard plastic, the Telluride's interior was inviting, with solid-feeling doors and a price that belied its high-end appearance.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 represented the pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a big and tall SUV could be as beautiful as a low-slung sedan. The R-Design trim featured a blacked-out honeycomb grille, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and bright 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive Volvo elements. The XC90's subtle design cues, like the arching shoulder crease, emphasized width and stability. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint with a blue hue contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior, creating a stunning visual effect.

Inside, the XC90's cabin was a testament to Volvo's commitment to quality and simplicity. The seats were sculpted and supportive, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage. The rear seats, whether as a bench or captain's chairs, were almost as comfortable as the front. The interior featured rich leather, padded materials, and fine details like the Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat and a twist-action ignition knob. The vertical touchscreen integrated seamlessly into the dash, and the overall design exuded craftsmanship and attention to detail.

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. This powertrain could drive either the front wheels or all four wheels, with AWD available as a $2,000 option. While the Telluride's engine provided sufficient power 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 was smooth and quiet, thanks to double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds with the optional Towing package, and its fuel economy was EPA-estimated at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 added a supercharger for a total of 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T6 Polestar tune increased these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. Despite these figures, the XC90's performance was not particularly impressive, with mid-range acceleration being good but not exceptional. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, but its added weight negated much of the performance benefit. The XC90's fuel economy was unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, and the T5 AWD at 20/27/23. The T8 hybrid achieved 27 mpg combined once the battery was depleted.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and third-tier EX seated eight, while the second-tier S offered eight as an option. The top SX and S trims seated seven 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 generous legroom 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: a 3.5-inch for the instrument panel and an 8-inch screen for the dash. The EX and SX models had a 10.3-inch screen and a larger 7-inch screen for the instrument panel.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous versions. The system housed all climate controls within the touchscreen, with physical buttons for defrosters, volume, and seek controls. The Sensus system was well-organized, though some safety features were buried in menus. The XC90 offered seven seats as standard, with an integrated booster cushion for young children in the middle of the second-row bench. Six seats were an option on the Momentum and Inscription trims for the T6 and T8 powertrains. The first and second rows provided generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and suitable for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded, and sightlines from the driver's seat were excellent.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote location and unlocking via an app. A proximity key was also standard. Upper trims with navigation featured fast and accurate voice inputs, live traffic and weather updates, and a lack of onboard WiFi. 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 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could display the map between analog-style dials but lacked major reconfiguration options. Volvo needed to improve the digital screen and show individual tire pressures in the TPMS sensors.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top scores. Standard safety features included forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and automatic braking, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, adaptive cruise control, and Safe Exit Assist. Surround-view cameras and front parking sensors were optional, and a driver's knee airbag was standard.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. The XC90's boron steel roof and curtain airbags provided exceptional rollover protection, and Volvo's unique whiplash protection system for the front seats was a standout feature.