2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a design that fit well within Ford's SUV family, sharing a strong resemblance with its siblings like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. Its exterior was sporty with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, though it could be hard to distinguish from the Edge at a quick glance. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, it featured three rows of seats as standard, with the base model offering cloth upholstery and a clean dashboard dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen. The XLT trim, the most popular, added better equipment and finishes, while higher trims like the Limited and ST offered leather upholstery and more advanced features.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, available in four trims (LX, S, EX, and SX), was praised for its stylish design and high-quality interior. The top-of-the-line SX trim, especially with the Prestige package, transformed it into a luxury SUV with features like premium Nappa leather and a head-up display. The Nightfall Edition added a blacked-out look with gloss black 20-inch wheels. The Telluride's interior was noted for its contemporary design and quality execution, with thoughtful touches like a solid and smooth transmission shifter and a variety of storage solutions. The SX trim also offered heated and ventilated second-row seats and a range of advanced features, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing in at 4,345 pounds at its lightest, offered a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed the Kia Telluride's 291 hp and 262 lb-ft V6 engine. The Explorer's higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering up to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in the sport-oriented ST trim. The Explorer was also notable for its towing capacity, ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine, making it a strong contender for those needing towing power.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, technically a crossover, was powered by a single 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It offered AWD with a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction and eight inches of ground clearance, making it capable in various conditions. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth and compliant ride, especially at higher speeds. It also featured brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology for better handling. The Telluride's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain’s chairs in the second row reducing capacity to six in other trims. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, which was competitive but fell short of the Kia Telluride. The Explorer had 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed and 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was less than some competitors.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat in the SX trim and heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The second-row captain’s chairs offered easy access to the third row, which was usable by adults. The Telluride provided ample storage solutions, including smartphone bins and USB ports. Its "smart" hands-free power liftgate revealed 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with all rear seats down, making it highly practical for families.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer also provided multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM on all trims, with an 8-inch touchscreen on LX and S trims and a 10.25-inch screen with navigation on EX and SX trims. Kia’s UVO Link connected services offered various features, including remote engine start and climate control. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. The Prestige package added a head-up display with comprehensive information.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. It came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included the Drive Wise suite with eight standard safety technologies, such as blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic emergency braking. EX and SX trims featured Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The SX trim also offered front parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite some lower scores in specific tests.