2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and sophistication, a far cry from its rugged origins. Once a utilitarian vehicle, it evolved into a symbol of opulence, offering features like heated, ventilated, and massaging seats wrapped in premium leather. The Range Rover's design, despite nearing a decade old, remained timeless with its sleek lines and hallmark design cues. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with its high-contrast Ivory interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although the infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Telluride was celebrated for its muscular design and balanced proportions, making it a handsome midsize SUV. Kia made minimal changes to its successful formula, only updating the grille pattern and badges. The Telluride's interior was both upscale and functional, with thoughtful details like overhead air vents and USB ports in all rows. The SX Prestige package added premium touches like Nappa leather and a suede headliner, creating an impression of a more expensive vehicle. The Telluride's interior was spacious and comfortable, with a focus on utility and practicality.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its legendary off-road capability. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, although the Range Rover's weight and tall center of gravity resulted in some side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine, offered a satisfying driving experience. The eight-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive with Lock mode provided good traction, although the Telluride was best suited for well-traveled paths. The SUV's ride quality was supple, and it handled well on dry pavement, thanks to its Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system. The Telluride achieved an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle returning 21.1 mpg. Its towing capacity was 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, but shorter passengers still found entry challenging. The front seats were decadently comfortable, while the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with a small refrigerated center console bin and minimal luggage capacity. The cargo area offered 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Kia Telluride excelled in balancing form and function, with an upscale interior design and practical features like grab handles and rear smartphone storage pouches. The SX Prestige package added premium materials, creating a luxurious feel. All three rows of seats were comfortable, with easy access to the third row. The Telluride provided ample storage space, with 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, expandable to 87 cubic feet. The flat load floor made it easy to transport large items.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring setup to avoid distractions while driving. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2022 Kia Telluride came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including navigation and voice recognition. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wire, the system offered USB ports in all rows and a wireless charging pad. Kia Connect provided connected services, including emergency assistance and remote features. The Telluride also featured Quiet Mode and Driver Talk functions for added convenience.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with optional driver aids available in various packages. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Kia Telluride prioritized safety with standard Kia Drive Wise technologies, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist provided subtle assistance, while Smart Cruise Control-Curve used GPS data to predict curves. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS.