2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2020 Kia Telluride presented itself as an impressive transformation for the Kia brand, shedding its old reputation of being a budget-friendly but lackluster manufacturer. Over the past five years, Kia had worked diligently to elevate its standing, and the Telluride was a testament to this effort. It exuded an upscale appearance that belied its actual cost. The exterior design drew inspiration from luxury SUVs, blending the solid, boxy presence of a large Chevrolet with the refined curves typical of a modern Volvo. Its front featured wide-set vertical headlights above slender air intakes and a robust silver mesh grille. The rear showcased sleek, hockey stick-shaped taillights and bold "TELLURIDE" badging, reminiscent of a certain British luxury SUV. Inside, the Telluride's interior mimicked the aesthetic of high-end vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, featuring matte wood, silver-painted buttons, and knurled metal knobs. Although some materials, like the wood, turned out to be faux, the overall fit and finish remained top-notch.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a refreshing facelift, sporting new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights with fresh designs, and a reconfigured grille. These cosmetic changes gave the Atlas a more assertive look compared to its predecessor, though some elements, like the faux chrome exhaust tips, appeared a bit cheesy. The Atlas shared its MQB platform with several other VW models like the Jetta and Golf, illustrating its flexibility. The remodel added 2.4 inches to the vehicle's length, contributing to its more pronounced exterior stance. Higher trims received sportier enhancements with the R-Line package, including 21-inch wheels and sportier bumpers. Inside, the Atlas adopted a minimalist design philosophy, presenting a functional yet somewhat unembellished interior layout. Simulated leather seating appeared on the SE and SEL trims, while genuine leather was exclusive to the top-tier SEL Premium. However, the material quality in the mid-level SE with Technology model felt below average, with plastics giving a somewhat tinny impression.

The 2020 Kia Telluride featured a single engine option: a robust 3.8-liter V6, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). While the vehicle offered a Sport mode, the transmission response was occasionally inconsistent, particularly during aggressive acceleration. Despite these transmission quirks, the Telluride had sufficient power to move its hefty two-and-a-quarter tons swiftly. Its braking system was responsive with a firm pedal feel, contrasting with its somewhat slow steering and noticeable body lean. While the Telluride didn't offer the agility of luxury SUVs with adaptive dampers, it excelled in providing a smooth ride, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation to minimize wind noise. Off-roaders could benefit from features like the axle-lock mechanism and a snow mode for better traction in slippery conditions. The vehicle’s towing capacity stood at 5,000 pounds, given the additional towing package, while maintaining a respectable fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine choices: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and optional 4Motion AWD. The base four-cylinder engine provided adequate acceleration but lacked excitement, compounded by rough transmission shifts under acceleration. Despite featuring a multilink independent rear suspension, the Atlas's handling felt more truck-like with a ride that punished occupants over every road imperfection. The AWD system came with various drive modes but focused more on off-road settings rather than improving on-road handling. The 4Motion system also prioritized FWD to save fuel but could transfer power to the rear wheels when needed. The towing capacity was capped at 5,000 pounds for VR6 models, with the four-cylinder versions rated for just 2,000 pounds. Fuel efficiency was modest, with the four-cylinder achieving 22 mpg combined (21 city, 24 highway) in FWD, and VR6 models rated at 19 mpg combined (17 city, 23 highway) with FWD.

The 2020 Kia Telluride offered versatile seating for either seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and EX trims came standard with seating for eight, while the S and SX trims provided optional eight-passenger seating, with reclining second-row captain's chairs available on both trims. The SX trim level stood out with heated and cooled second-row seats, manual side-window shades, and a third climate zone. The third row, although snug, could accommodate a six-foot adult for short durations. Cargo space was ample, with 21 cubic feet available behind the third row and expanding to 87 cubic feet with all seats folded flat. The Telluride’s interior was thoughtfully designed with analog controls that offered a high-quality feel, and higher trims featured larger displays for enhanced functionality.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas focused on practicality with a three-row seating layout designed to accommodate families. With cargo space of 96.8 cubic feet behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up, the Atlas offered average capacity for the segment but boasted better third-row legroom than many competitors. This advantage came at the expense of second-row legroom, which was less generous. The second-row bench seat, standard on lower trims, lacked comfort with its flat cushions, but third-row access was relatively easy thanks to the sliding second-row bench. The Atlas featured logical control placement and straightforward seat configurations, although its interior didn't match the Telluride’s level of luxury. There were ample USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad for convenience, alongside multiple cupholders distributed throughout the cabin. The driving position provided a commanding view, but forward visibility was somewhat compromised, aided by standard ultrasonic parking sensors and available low-speed automatic braking.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came well-equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, allowing remote car access via an app. Higher trims featured a rapid and precise voice-controlled navigation system, although the lack of onboard WiFi was a noticeable shortcoming. Unique to the Telluride, certain trims offered an innovative blind-spot view monitor, displaying live footage of the blind spot within the instrument cluster when signaling. Additionally, the EX and SX trims had Highway Driving Assist, which provided limited self-driving functionality on marked highways. Other technological perks included a quiet mode for front-passenger audio only and an intercom for speaking to rear-seat passengers. The SX trim excelled with bright LED headlights, dual moonroofs, and a high-quality Harman Kardon surround sound system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas featured Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone compatibility through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base S trim had a modest 6.5-inch infotainment display, while higher trims sported an 8-inch screen. An optional Digital Cockpit replaced analog gauges with a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display on higher trims. Mid-2021 models expected the MIBIII infotainment system, offering multi-phone pairing, improved voice recognition, and revamped navigation. However, during testing, the standard infotainment system felt plain with text-heavy menus. The standard audio system was average, with a premium 12-speaker Fender system available on upper trims. New for 2021, the Atlas introduced a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot supporting up to four devices, enhancing its family-friendly connectivity.

The 2020 Kia Telluride, although not crash-tested at the time, was expected to achieve top ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of active driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. An innovative Safe Exit Assist used the blind-spot system to alert passengers of potential obstacles when exiting the vehicle, preventing door openings when unsafe. Optional safety features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors, though the passenger-side knee airbag was notably absent.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received commendable safety ratings, achieving "good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, albeit with "marginal" ratings for child-seat anchors and standard headlights. The 2020 model, similar in structure, earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard across all Atlas trims were automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a traffic-jam assist feature for low-speed automation. Later models introduced more advanced aids, including Travel Assist for high-speed lane centering and Emergency Assist for autonomous emergency stops, bringing the Atlas closer to its competitors in safety technology.