2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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 price tag suggested, with a clean and minimal aesthetic that borrowed elements from luxury SUVs while maintaining a unique identity. The Telluride's exterior featured a boxy yet fluid design, with upright, rectilinear themes and distinctive details like amber LED running lights and hockey stick-shaped taillights. Inside, the Telluride offered a surprisingly upscale experience, with features reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz, such as matte wood and knurled metal knobs. Despite some cost-cutting measures in materials, the interior was inviting and well-crafted, with a solid feel to the doors and a spacious cabin that could easily be mistaken for a much more expensive vehicle.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 embraced a rugged SUV look, with boxy fender flares and a scowling front end that set it apart from previous generations and other compact crossovers. While the exterior styling was aggressive and eye-catching, the RAV4's underpinnings were more conventional, based on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform. The RAV4 offered various trim levels with unique styling touches, such as the Adventure model's retro roof and the TRD Off-Road's matte black wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the RAV4 featured functional touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles, but the material quality did not elevate with higher trims. The rear seats were less comfortable for long journeys, and while cargo space was above average, it lagged behind some competitors.

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 engine provided ample power to move the Telluride's 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 and quiet, thanks to double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride's towing capacity matched the Honda Pilot's at 5,000 pounds, and its fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, also mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the engine boasted impressive thermal efficiency and a high revving nature, the transmission struggled to keep up, leading to a less dynamic driving experience. The steering was responsive but lacked feel, and the Sport mode only added weight to the steering without enhancing performance. The RAV4's off-road capabilities were highlighted in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models, which offered features like a torque-vectoring rear axle and increased ground clearance. However, the RAV4's towing capacity was limited to 3,500 pounds for these models, and its off-road prowess was hindered by limited suspension articulation and shallow approach angles.

The 2020 Kia Telluride offered seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim level, with generous space 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 flat. The interior featured analog controls with a damped precision, complemented by two displays, including a 10.3-inch screen on higher trims. The Telluride's infotainment system was quick and logically oriented, with configurable menus and a color head-up display on the SX trim.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 provided a competitive amount of headroom and good outward visibility, but legroom was slightly behind some competitors. The rear seats were less comfortable for long trips, and the cargo area offered 37.6 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in place. The RAV4's interior featured oversized knobs and easy-to-use controls, but storage space was limited. The infotainment system was straightforward, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on most trims and an 8-inch screen on the Limited model. However, the system lacked the flashiness and advanced features found in some competitors.

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 navigation with voice inputs and live traffic updates, although the lack of onboard WiFi was a notable omission. The SX trim featured a live blind-spot feed, Highway Driving Assist, and an intercom system for communicating with rear passengers. The Harman Kardon surround stereo on the SX trim provided an impressive audio experience.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch screen on the Limited model. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not particularly advanced, lacking features like a head-up display on the gasoline models. The RAV4 offered up to five USB ports and an available JBL premium audio system, but it didn't cater to tech-savvy buyers seeking cutting-edge features.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not yet 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 a comprehensive suite of active driver assists, including forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit Assist was a unique feature that prevented passengers from opening doors into oncoming traffic. Optional safety features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system. However, the RAV4 missed out on the highest IIHS rating due to mixed headlight scores.