2021 Kia Telluride vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was more about subtlety than making a bold statement. Its exterior featured a trapezoidal theme that was consistent across various elements like the tailgate, headlights, and grille. The vehicle's body panels had more pronounced creases compared to previous models, and the addition of big 20-inch wheels on the higher trims added a touch of flair. However, despite these updates, the Highlander was often seen as lacking excitement in its design. Inside, Toyota focused on quality and comfort, with a cabin that boasted a high level of fit and finish. The interior was adorned with silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash, offering a pleasing color palette and rich textures. The Limited and Platinum trims featured luxurious touches like diamond-quilted seat backrests, making the interior a standout feature compared to its competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Telluride was praised for its striking design and high-quality interior. The Telluride's exterior was well-proportioned and free from any design missteps, while the interior was a model of contemporary design and quality execution. The SX trim, especially with the Prestige package, transformed the Telluride into a near-luxury SUV with premium Nappa leather and a suede headliner. The Nightfall Edition added a popular blacked-out look, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Telluride offered a solid and smooth transmission shifter, and the interior was mostly free from cheap materials, except for some glossy hard plastic. The Telluride's interior was spacious and thoughtfully designed, with features like heated and ventilated second-row seats and a head-up display, making it a compelling choice for those seeking both style and substance.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided smooth and brisk acceleration, akin to the powertrain found in the Lexus RX. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for a kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and its suspension was soft, leading to a ride that felt more like an older Buick. Despite being built on a new, stiffer chassis, the Highlander lacked the expected control and steering feel. However, it offered a comfortable and isolating driving experience, especially on long road trips. The Highlander also boasted good fuel economy, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Telluride's AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, making it capable of handling challenging conditions. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a firm and connected sensation at lower speeds while softening at higher speeds for a smooth ride. The SUV's handling was commendable, with brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology aiding in cornering. The Telluride's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined for the AWD model, and it performed well in various driving conditions, including snowy and muddy terrains.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs, providing versatile and spacious seating arrangements. The second-row seats were adjustable and easy to access, although the third row was best suited for shorter passengers. The Highlander featured a three-zone climate control system, with upper trims offering additional amenities like a 120-volt outlet and a panoramic moonroof. Cargo space was generous, with up to 84 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded. The Highlander's interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring multiple cupholders, bottle holders, and storage shelves integrated into the dash.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a driver’s seat offering 14-way power adjustments and a forward view reminiscent of a Range Rover. The Telluride's interior was equipped with heated and ventilated front seats, and the Prestige package added luxurious leather upholstery. The second-row captain’s chairs were heated and ventilated, with side-window sunshades and an overhead climate control panel for rear passengers. The Telluride's third-row seat was more accommodating than many competitors, and the smart hands-free power liftgate made accessing the cargo area convenient. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 87 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system was seen as outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, was not fully utilized, as climate and fuel economy information always occupied part of the screen. However, the Highlander came with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The vehicle also featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster, providing useful information. The semi-automated driving system was effective, and the optional JBL audio system offered decent sound quality.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard. The EX and SX trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and other upgrades. Kia's UVO Link connected services offered various features, including Rear Occupant Alert and remote engine start. The Telluride's infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive touchscreen operation and menu shortcut buttons. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, although the sound quality was not exceptional. The Prestige package added a head-up display, providing valuable information, including blind-spot notifications.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for its top ratings in crash tests and emergency braking performance. However, the NHTSA had not yet rated the 2020 Highlander.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was equipped with Kia's Drive Wise collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The EX and SX trims featured Highway Drive Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid. Additional safety features included Rear Occupant Alert and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim offered front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although its standard headlights received a Poor rating. The NHTSA awarded the Telluride an overall 5-star rating, despite four-star frontal-impact results.