2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX, with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Base pricing ranged from $32,190 to $42,490, excluding destination charges. The Telluride S trim offered significant value, but many opted for the top-tier SX trim, which could be equipped with a Prestige package, transforming it into a luxury SUV. This package added premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display (HUD), and heated and ventilated second-row seats. The Nightfall Edition package, new for 2021, provided a blacked-out look with gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a unique grille insert. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Nightfall Edition, AWD, Prestige package, Towing package, and other accessories, had a sticker price of $50,180, including a $1,170 destination charge.

The 2021 Kia Telluride's styling was a major selling point, with a well-executed exterior and interior design. The transmission shifter, placed to the left side of the center console, preserved storage space and felt solid and smooth in operation. However, the interior color options were limited to black or gray unless you opted for the SX trim. Despite some glossy hard plastic on the lower parts of the interior, the overall look and feel of the Telluride were impressive.

The 2021 Kia Sorento represented a significant design improvement over its predecessor, shedding its jelly-bean-inspired styling for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. Our test car, an SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package, featured roof rails, a shark fin antenna, and a rear roof spoiler. The front showcased an expansive tiger-nose grille with a noticeable curve toward the car's front corners, accented by running lights at the base of the headlights. The side profile included a silver accent between the front fender and the door, while the rear featured large D-pillars and beautiful vertical rectangle taillights.

The interior of the Sorento was filled with high-value features, including heated outside mirrors, second-row air vents, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry across the lineup. The base LX trim offered six-way driver seat adjustment, while higher trims provided 10-way adjustment with power lumbar support. The front passenger seat had 4-way adjustment on lower trims and 8-way on higher trims. Heated seats were available on all but the LX trim, and ventilation was reserved for the SX Prestige with the X-Line package. The panoramic sunroof on our test vehicle provided ample light, though it occasionally let in too much hot sunlight during our 2,100-mile road trip through the American Southeast.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was equipped with a single powertrain: a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. Kia's Drive Mode Select technology offered Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. AWD was optional and included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, combined with the SUV's eight inches of ground clearance. The Telluride demonstrated impressive off-road capabilities during a media event in western Colorado, successfully navigating through snow and mud.

During our test drive in a Los Angeles suburb and the mountains near Malibu, the Telluride's ride and handling stood out, nearly eliminating the phenomenon known as "head-toss." The suspension tuning, featuring a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension design, along with a self-leveling rear suspension on EX and SX trims, provided a firm and connected sensation at slower speeds and a compliant ride at higher speeds. The Telluride's 20-inch wheels and tires offered commendable grip, and the brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology contributed to its composed handling. The EPA estimated fuel economy for the AWD Telluride was 21 mpg in combined driving, and we averaged 20.5 mpg on our testing loop.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, our test car featured the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with a wet clutch to AWD. This setup provided ample power for merging, cruising, and passing.

The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor, available with FWD only. The AWD system in our test car included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential for slippery conditions. The X-Line package added 1.3 inches of ride height, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a roof rack. The suspension, consisting of McPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear, provided a smooth and comfortable ride despite the 20-inch wheels. The various drive modes made a noticeable difference, with Eco mode offering better fuel economy but slower throttle response, while Sport mode improved throttle response. The Sorento's handling was composed, with minimal head-toss even in tight corners.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility. The SX trim's driver's seat offered 14-way power adjustment, including lumbar and thigh support, and both front seats had heating and ventilation. The Prestige package added supple leather upholstery and acoustic sound-absorbing glass. The second-row captain's chairs, also heated and ventilated, provided ample comfort, and the third-row seat was usable by adults, though not as spacious as in some competitors. The Telluride offered plenty of storage options, including a smartphone bin, door trays, and second-row USB ports and cupholders. The "smart" hands-free power liftgate provided easy access to the 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded and 87 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while practical, was best considered a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third-row space. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and the front and rear seats offered ample legroom. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, but folding the third row increased the total cargo volume to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento provided convenient storage options, including a phone spot with optional wireless charging, cupholders, and a center console bucket. The door pockets and second-row cupholders were also useful for smaller items.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The LX and S trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX and SX trims featured a 10.25-inch screen with navigation and other upgrades. Kia's UVO Link Lite connected services plan was free for five years, offering features like 911 Connect, Rear Occupant Alert, remote engine start, and more. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, though the sound quality was only average. The EX and SX trims also had Driver Talk and Quiet Mode features, and the Prestige package added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen on the LX, S, and EX trims, with hard buttons, volume and tuning knobs, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX and SX Prestige trims had a 10.25-inch screen with haptic touch buttons and required a physical connection for smartphone projection. The Sorento had plenty of USB ports but no USB-C ports. The optional Bose stereo system was decent but not exceptional. The navigation system needed improvement, particularly in voice search and Point-of-Interest functions.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-monitoring system, and automatic emergency braking. The EX and SX trims added Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The SX trim also included 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 and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars in frontal-impact tests.

The 2021 Kia Sorento also offered a robust array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. Our test car had a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control, which worked smoothly. The lane-keeping assist system occasionally made excessive corrections. The Sorento received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the SX trim's LED headlights receiving top marks.