2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

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 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 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 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV), featuring a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It had a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners of the body, replacing the straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4 was based on VW's EV-specific MEB platform and followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback. Volkswagen chose to bring the ID.4 to the U.S. market instead of the ID.3, recognizing that crossovers sell better in the States.

The ID.4's interior design blended Volkswagen's trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models offered leatherette upholstery. The interior 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's interior design aimed to provide a familiar experience for drivers transitioning from gasoline cars, with features like a heated steering wheel and front seats to efficiently maintain cabin heat.

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, making it capable of handling challenging terrains.

During testing, the Telluride demonstrated impressive off-road capabilities, successfully navigating through muddy trails and snowstorms. On regular roads, the Telluride's ride and handling were noteworthy, nearly eliminating the phenomenon known as "head-toss." The suspension tuning, featuring a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension design, provided a firm and connected sensation at slower speeds while becoming more compliant 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 on twisty roads. The AWD Telluride achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, with our testing loop averaging 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It was the first rear-wheel drive (RWD) Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version, with a second electric motor powering the front wheels, arrived later in 2021, increasing power output to 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque.

The RWD ID.4 offered balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving, providing a fun driving experience with instantaneous torque. The AWD version added more power and traction, making it quick around town and capable of reaching highway speeds with ease. However, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, with noticeable body roll in corners but a smooth ride over bumps and potholes. Unlike many electric cars, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, relying on friction brakes in its default setting and providing a familiar experience for drivers transitioning from gasoline cars.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility. The SX trim's driver’s seat offered 14-way power adjustments, including lumbar support and a thigh support extension, providing an optimal driving position. Both front seats featured heating and ventilation, with the front passenger seat offering 8-way power adjustment. The Prestige package's leather upholstery added a touch of luxury, and acoustic sound-absorbing glass helped to quiet the cabin.

The test SUV's second-row captain’s chairs were heated and ventilated, with side-window sunshades and an overhead climate control panel for rear passengers. The third-row seat was usable by adults, though not as spacious as the Volkswagen Atlas. The Telluride provided ample storage solutions, including a smartphone bin, door trays, and airline-style USB ports and storage pouches in the second-row seating area. 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, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded and 87 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, more than the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, and Chevy Bolt EUV, but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 did not have a "frunk" for extra cargo storage, prioritizing cabin space instead.

The ID.4's interior felt spacious from the driver’s seat, with good forward visibility but compromised rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard freed up space on the center console, though the console itself was narrow and close to the floor, limiting storage for larger items. The heated steering wheel and front seats efficiently maintained cabin heat, and the seats provided good cushioning, though the driver’s seat lacked thigh support.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The LX and S trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX and SX trims had a 10.25-inch screen with a navigation system 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 climate-control operation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with menu shortcut buttons, stereo knobs, and intuitive touchscreen operation. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. The Prestige package added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with an optional 12-inch screen) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear. The touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback, and the control setup required relearning simple tasks. The natural-language voice-control system responded to the prompt "Hello ID" and allowed for easy adjustments, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light strip at the base of the windshield communicated information to the driver, but its novelty wore off quickly. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart-looking graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, 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. EX and SX trims featured Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. 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-star frontal-impact ratings for the driver and front passenger.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. The standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The ID.4 also introduced Travel Assist, adding automated lane centering to the adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to bring the car to a stop if the driver is incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.