2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX, with both front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Base pricing ranged from $32,190 to $42,490, excluding destination charges. The Telluride S trim provided significant value, but many opted for the top-of-the-line 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, was available with EX and SX trims, adding gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a blacked-out look. 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 its exterior and interior design receiving high praise. 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 design and quality execution were commendable.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender aimed to echo the vibe of its predecessors while bringing the SUV into the modern era. The new Defender featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, flat-topped fenders, and a floating roof. The tops of the fenders had composite cladding with a diamond-plate pattern, and functional vents were located behind the front fenders. The spare tire was mounted on the side-hinged tailgate, and short overhangs front and rear gave the SUV a planted and capable appearance. The Defender looked better in person than in pictures, with first-rate fit and finish and tasteful "DEFENDER" nameplates on the front and rear.

Inside, the Defender's theme of exposed structure was prominent. The dash appeared to be held between two horizontal beams, with exposed Allen-head bolts securing the door panels. The controls and steering wheel were beefy, and the leather-upholstered seating was both tough and luxurious. A digital instrument panel and a center touchscreen interface were securely mounted between the dash beams. The interior felt authentic, high-quality, and thoughtfully designed, with real metal and leather surfaces adding to the sense of luxury.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was technically a crossover, offered 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 provided a choice between Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. AWD was optional, including a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, and the SUV had eight inches of ground clearance. The Telluride performed well in various conditions, including a wintry mix of snow and rain during its media introduction in western Colorado.

During testing in a Los Angeles suburb and the mountains near Malibu, the Telluride impressed with its ride and handling, nearly eliminating the phenomenon known as “head-toss.” The suspension tuning, including a self-leveling rear suspension on EX and SX trims, ensured proper ride and handling when loaded with people, cargo, or a trailer. The Telluride exhibited greater body roll when taking curves at speed, but the 20-inch wheels and tires provided commendable grip. The SUV averaged 20.5 mpg on the testing loop, close to the EPA’s estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. All Defender models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender had impressive off-road capabilities, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum ascent/descent gradient of 45 degrees. The SUV had a minimum ground clearance of 8.5 inches and a maximum of 11.5 inches, with a wading depth of 35.4 inches.

On the road, the Defender was quick for its weight, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter model in 5.8 seconds. The Defender had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds. The 3.0-liter mild-hybrid powertrain impressed with its driving character, providing a rock-solid and comfortable ride on highways and ease of maneuverability in city driving. The Defender also performed well on dirt roads and farm trails, showcasing its off-road capabilities.

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’s leather upholstery featured a distinctive pattern, and acoustic sound-absorbing glass helped quiet the cabin. The test SUV had sliding second-row captain’s chairs with heating and ventilation, side-window sunshades, and an overhead climate control panel. The third-row seat was usable by adults, with easy access provided by a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat.

The Telluride offered ample storage, with bins for smartphones, USB ports, and cupholders. The “smart” hands-free power liftgate opened automatically when the key fob was nearby, revealing 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats. Folding the third-row seats down provided 46 cubic feet of cargo space, and the maximum cargo capacity was 87 cubic feet. Buttons in the cargo area allowed for easy folding of the second-row captain’s chairs.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform, making extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. The SUV featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension, enhancing both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender had the option of adding a jump seat between the front seats for three-across seating, and the second row was roomy. The long-wheelbase 110 model offered a third-row seat with 20.5 inches of legroom. Luggage space behind the second row on the 110 was 34-34.6 cubic feet, and the three-door 90 model had 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet behind the front seats. The 110 model had a maximum cargo capacity of 78.8 cubic feet.

Every 2021 Kia Telluride came 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 a navigation system. Kia’s UVO Link Lite connected services plan was free for five years, offering features like 911 Connect and Rear Occupant Alert. Additional plans provided remote engine start, climate control operation, and more. The Telluride could pair two smartphones to Bluetooth simultaneously, and upper trims had wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with menu shortcut buttons and intuitive touchscreen operation. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, though the sound quality was only good, not exceptional.

The Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The SUV featured the new Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, and USB and 12-volt outlets were plentiful. The Defender offered multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view using the 3D surround-camera system. The standard audio system had six speakers, with optional upgrades to 10 or 14 speakers plus a subwoofer. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with an extensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-monitoring system, and automatic emergency braking. EX and SX trims included Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The SX trim also featured 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-star frontal-impact ratings for the driver and front passenger.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags with a passenger seat occupant monitor, tire pressure monitoring, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its capability in harsh conditions.