2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery, with a refined, upscale, and utilitarian design. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge gave it a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown, with low-grade materials and a lack of luxury, especially given its high price point. The leather felt like vinyl, and the abundance of hard plastic detracted from the overall feel. Despite some solid switchgear and padded dashboard, the Explorer's interior did not match the expectations set by its exterior.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in both exterior and interior design. The Telluride's styling was impeccable, with no lines or details deserving criticism. Inside, the Telluride offered a contemporary design with high-quality execution, marred only by some glossy hard plastic on the lower parts. The transmission shifter was well-placed, preserving storage space and providing a solid, smooth operation. The interior color options were limited to black or gray unless you opted for the SX trim, but overall, the Telluride's look and feel were superior to the Explorer's.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, providing a balanced weight distribution. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered smooth, uninterrupted power and impressive handling, with precise steering and remarkable cornering. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. Towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine. The Explorer's performance was commendable, especially in the ST trim, but fuel economy was a downside, with the turbo V6 averaging 18 mpg.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, technically a crossover, came with a single powertrain: a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Kia's Drive Mode Select technology offered various driving modes, including Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The optional all-wheel drive (AWD) included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, and the Telluride's eight inches of ground clearance helped it handle rough terrain. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss and provided a firm, connected sensation at slower speeds, while softening up at higher speeds for a smooth ride. Fuel economy for the AWD Telluride was 21 mpg in combined driving, slightly better than the Explorer's turbo V6.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered ample interior space, with comfortable seating for six-foot-tall adults in the third row. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof, making it feel like first class. Cargo space was 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo controls were user-friendly, but the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created unnecessary blind spots.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a 14-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a quiet cabin thanks to acoustic sound-absorbing glass. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and ventilated, with side-window sunshades and an overhead climate control panel. The third-row seat was accessible via a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat, and robust grab handles helped passengers exit. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with all seats folded. The smart hands-free power liftgate and ample storage for smartphones and other items added to its practicality.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Premium Technology Package for ST and Platinum models included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the touchscreen was high-resolution and well-organized, the instrument panel felt unfinished, with wasted screen space and limited customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ semi-automated driving system was available but not as refined as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard. The EX and SX trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and other upgrades. Kia's UVO Link connected services offered various plans, including remote engine start, climate control operation, and vehicle alerts. The Telluride's 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 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had a passenger front knee airbag and received an Acceptable rating in the IIHS small overlap test on the driver's side. The NHTSA had not yet tested the 2020 Explorer.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included eight standard safety technologies, such as blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. The EX and SX trims featured Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The SX trim also had 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, despite four-star frontal-impact results.