2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2020 Kia Telluride was a significant step forward for Kia, shedding its reputation for cheap adequacy. It presented a handsome, upscale design that borrowed elements from luxury SUVs but maintained a unique identity. The exterior featured a boxy presence with fluid curves, vertical headlights, and a silver mesh grille, giving it a clean, minimal design that aged well. Inside, the Telluride's interior mimicked a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with its twin grab handles, wide air vents, and ultra-wide touchscreen. Despite some hard plastic sections, the fit, quality, and colors were tasteful and classy, making it an inviting space.

The 2021 Kia Telluride continued this trend, offering four trim levels with both FWD and AWD options. The top-of-the-line SX trim, especially with the Prestige package, transformed the Telluride into a luxury SUV at a mainstream price. The new Nightfall Edition package added a popular blacked-out look with gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a unique grille insert. The interior remained a model of contemporary design and quality execution, with the transmission shifter preserving storage space and providing a solid, smooth operation. The only flaws were the limited interior color options and some inexpensive-looking plastic.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered FWD or optional AWD for an additional $2,000. The transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent, and the shifting felt rougher compared to competitors. However, the power was sufficient to move the Telluride quickly, and the braking was strong with a firm pedal feel. The steering was slow, and there was noticeable body lean, but the ride was smooth, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the $795 Towing package and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2021 Kia Telluride retained the same powertrain, offering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured Kia’s Drive Mode Select technology with Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. AWD was optional and included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction. The Telluride excelled in various conditions, from muddy trails to snowstorms. The suspension tuning nearly eliminated head-toss, providing a firm and connected sensation at slower speeds and a compliant ride at higher speeds. The 20-inch wheels and tires offered commendable grip, and the brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology helped in handling. The EPA-rated fuel economy for AWD models was 21 mpg combined, with an average of 20.5 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and EX seated eight, while the S and SX 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 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 a 3.5-inch instrument panel display and an 8-inch dash screen, with EX and SX models getting a 10.3-inch screen.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with the SX trim offering a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The Prestige package added heating and ventilation to the front and second-row captain’s chairs. The second-row seating area was designed for modern families, with USB ports, smartphone storage pouches, and large cupholders. The smart hands-free power liftgate revealed 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third-row seats down and 87 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The test vehicle had buttons in the cargo area for easy seat folding.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote car location and unlocking via an app. Upper trims with navigation had fast and accurate voice inputs, but the lack of onboard WiFi was a shortcoming. The SX trim featured a live feed of blind spots on the instrument cluster, Highway Driving Assist, a quiet mode, and an intercom for the third row. The Harman Kardon surround stereo was impressive, but the standard 6-speaker stereo was insufficient for the car's size.

The 2021 Kia Telluride also featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The LX and S trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX and SX had a 10.25-inch screen with navigation. Kia’s UVO Link Lite connected services plan was free for five years, with additional plans available for a subscription. The system included features like Rear Occupant Alert, remote engine start, and climate control operation. The SX trim had a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. The Prestige package added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing, but it was expected to receive top scores. It came standard with active driver assists, including forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit Assist and a driver's knee airbag were also standard, with optional surround-view cameras and front parking sensors.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included eight standard safety technologies, such as blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-monitoring system. Highway Drive Assist was standard on EX and SX trims, providing a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid. Additional safety features included Rear Occupant Alert and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim had front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The 2021 Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, despite some lower frontal-impact scores.