2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the classic Bronco, capturing its rugged spirit in a more compact, urban-friendly package. It featured a modern retro design reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The vehicle's tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were crafted for trail driving, minimizing the risk of snagging on obstacles. The Bronco Sport's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a modest Ford badge, emphasized its adventurous character. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied across models, from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats, catering to different preferences.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, on the other hand, was a stylish and luxurious SUV that offered a premium feel at a mainstream price. Available in four trims, it featured a sophisticated design with premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, and heated and ventilated seats in the SX Limited trim. The Telluride's exterior was praised for its flawless styling, while the interior boasted contemporary design and quality execution. The transmission shifter was strategically placed to maximize storage space, and the vehicle's ride and handling were refined, minimizing the head-toss effect. The Telluride's suspension tuning provided a firm and connected sensation at lower speeds, while softening at higher speeds for a smooth ride.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Badlands model came with a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. With a short wheelbase and independent suspension, the Bronco Sport excelled off-road, while maintaining good manners on pavement.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Telluride was equipped with a single powertrain: a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Telluride's AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, and its 20.3 cm ground clearance allowed it to handle low-grip terrain effectively. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth ride over uneven surfaces. The SUV's 20-inch wheels and tires offered commendable grip, and its brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology enhanced handling. The Telluride's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features for outdoor enthusiasts. Its cargo space could accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting gear. The roof could support up to 68 kg, and the vehicle's towing capacity ranged from 907 kg to 997 kg, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a driver’s seat offering 12-way power adjustment and a power-adjustable thigh support extension. The Telluride's interior featured heated and ventilated front seats, acoustic sound-absorbing glass, and sliding second-row captain’s chairs with heating and ventilation. The third-row seat was accessible via a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat, and the Telluride provided ample storage for personal items. The SUV's smart hands-free power liftgate opened automatically when the key fob was nearby, revealing 601 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 2,455 litres with the seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system offered up to seven drive modes, and trail control technology provided cruise-control-like assistance for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on most trims, and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system allowed pairing of two smartphones via Bluetooth and included wireless smartphone charging. The SX trim came with a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, and Limited grades added a head-up display. The Telluride's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice-recognition system could be improved.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and road-sign recognition. The Bronco Sport received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SX trim added 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 five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star frontal-impact results.