2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Jeep Wrangler

The 2020 Kia Telluride marked a significant departure from Kia's previous reputation for producing merely adequate vehicles. It presented a design that appeared more luxurious than its price tag suggested, although the prominent Kia badge on its grille was seen as a detractor from its upscale appearance. The Telluride's design was a blend of boxy and fluid elements, reminiscent of high-end SUVs, with features like wide-spaced vertical headlights and a silver mesh grille. Its interior was likened to that of a Mercedes-Benz, with high-quality materials and a sophisticated layout, although some elements like the wood trim were not entirely genuine. The Telluride's cabin was spacious and well-appointed, with features like Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner in the higher trims, making it feel like a much more expensive vehicle.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic styling, with features like circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges that made it unmistakable on the road. The Wrangler's design allowed for various configurations, including different fender styles and roof options, but it always retained its core rugged look. Inside, the Wrangler was more about function than luxury, with a straightforward cabin that included drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited offered decent cargo space, although its design made it less practical for larger items. The Rubicon 392 trim added unique features like a power-retractable canvas roof, enhancing the open-air experience without the hassle of manual removal.

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 delivery was sometimes delayed, it was sufficient for moving its substantial weight quickly. The vehicle's braking was strong, but its steering and handling were less agile compared to luxury SUVs. The Telluride provided a smooth ride, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. It had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the optional towing package and offered a fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. The Rubicon 392 trim featured a powerful 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse. The Wrangler's 4WD systems, including Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, provided excellent off-road capabilities, with features like locking differentials and a disconnecting sway bar for challenging terrains.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could accommodate seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim, with options for 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. The Telluride featured analog controls and a user-friendly infotainment system, with higher trims offering larger screens and additional features like a head-up display.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various roof options, including a zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and a three-piece Freedom hardtop. The Rubicon 392 trim featured a Sky one-touch power top for easy open-air driving. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with limited storage but practical features like drain plugs. It provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with them folded, although the design made it less accommodating for larger items.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote access via an app. Upper trims offered advanced navigation with voice inputs and features like a blind-spot camera display. The Telluride also included Highway Driving Assist and a Harman Kardon surround stereo in higher trims, although it lacked onboard WiFi and a rear-seat entertainment option.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's base Sport trim featured a basic 5-inch screen, with larger 7-inch and 8.4-inch Uconnect screens available on higher trims. These screens offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with intuitive controls. The Rubicon 392 trim included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera for trail visibility.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not yet been crash-tested by major safety organizations, but it was expected to receive high scores. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional safety features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring, but lacked standard modern driver-assistance technologies. It included a backup camera and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.