2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2020 Kia Telluride was a significant departure from Kia's previous designs, exuding a sense of luxury that belied its price tag. Its exterior design combined the boxy presence of a big Chevy with the fluid curves of a new Volvo, creating a handsome and upscale appearance. The front featured wide-spaced vertical headlights and a silver mesh grille, while the shoulder line along the vehicle's side resembled that of a Volvo XC90. The interior was equally impressive, with elements like twin grab handles, wide air vents, and an ultra-wide touchscreen that mimicked the look of a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Despite some lower sections being hard plastic, the overall fit, quality, and colors were tasteful and classy.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 showcased a distinctive look that set it apart from VW's gasoline models. Designed from the ground up as an EV, it featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners of the body. The interior blended Volkswagen’s trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, using piano black and matte plastic to push the tech theme. The ID.4's cabin felt spacious, with good forward visibility despite the steeply-raked windshield. However, rearward visibility was compromised by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 also lacked a conventional shift lever, opting instead for a twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard.

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 (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. While the engine provided enough power to move the Telluride's substantial weight, the transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent. The Telluride's steering was slow, and there was noticeable body lean, but it offered a smooth ride thanks to double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the optional Towing package and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An AWD version with a second electric motor arrived later, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, and the instantaneous torque made it fun to drive. However, it was tuned more for comfort than sportiness, with noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, relying more on friction brakes and coasting for efficiency.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The second-row seats were nearly as comfortable as the front seats and could fold flat for additional cargo space. The third row was surprisingly spacious, accommodating a 6-foot adult for short trips. Cargo capacity was 21 cubic feet with all seats up and 87 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Telluride featured analog gauges, buttons, and knobs that complemented its two displays, with higher trims offering a 10.3-inch screen and a 7-inch instrument panel display.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, though its legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk (frunk), but its cabin felt spacious, and forward visibility was good. The ID.4's interior featured a twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console, though the console itself was narrow and close to the floor. Standard heated steering wheel and front seats helped maintain cabin heat efficiently.

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 featured navigation with voice inputs, live traffic and weather updates, and a 10.3-inch touchscreen. The SX trim offered a live feed of blind spots on the instrument cluster, Highway Driving Assist, and an intercom for the third row. The Harman Kardon surround stereo on the SX trim provided excellent sound quality, while the standard 6-speaker system was less impressive.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with an optional 12-inch screen) and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced most switchgear. While the touchpads looked modern, they were difficult to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 also included a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light, a light strip that communicated information to the driver. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned, and the infotainment system was user-friendly.

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 driver assists, including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, 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 Volkswagen ID.4 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. It came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2021 included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated.