2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels in Canada, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD): EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky Edition. The base pricing ranged from MSRPs of $46,195 to $55,695, excluding destination charges of $1,895. A front-wheel drive (FWD) option was not offered. The Telluride EX was considered a great value, but many opted for the top-tier SX Limited trim, which offered a luxurious feel at a mainstream price. This trim added premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display (HUD), and heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition, new for 2021, featured gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a unique grille insert, giving it a popular blacked-out look. The Telluride's styling was widely praised, with its exterior and interior design receiving high marks for quality execution, despite some glossy hard plastic on the lower interior parts. The transmission shifter was noted for its solid and smooth operation, enhancing the sense of quality. However, the interior colour options were limited, with light grey leather only available on the SX Limited trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V's styling was considered similar to many other compact crossovers in the market. While it had a few distinguishing features like the grille opening and chromed plastic accents, it wasn't typically chosen for its exterior appearance. Honda offered the CR-V in seven colours, though many were shades of grey, black, or white, with blue and red as the more distinctive options. The interior was available in black, with variations in material depending on the trim level. Higher trims featured wood panels and more chrome for an upscale look. The CR-V's seats were noted for their angular design, providing a modern appearance. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were seen as having an edge in styling, especially at mid-tier trims. The CR-V's design was more about function than form, focusing on practicality rather than standout looks.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured Kia's Drive Mode Select technology, offering Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. The AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, complemented by 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance, making it capable on low-grip surfaces. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth ride over uneven surfaces. The SX Limited and Nightsky Edition trims included a self-leveling rear suspension for optimal ride and handling when loaded. The Telluride's handling was firm and connected at lower speeds, softening at higher velocities for a more compliant ride. It exhibited some body roll in curves, but the 20-inch wheels provided good grip. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with test results averaging 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, was powered by a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower. It offered smooth acceleration, with a 0-100 km/h time of about 8 seconds. All trims featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which maintained constant engine revs as speed increased. While not the most engaging driving experience, it was comparable to other crossovers in its class. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option on the LX and standard on other trims. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, providing decent handling and ride quality. The CR-V's performance was steady and predictable, suitable for everyday driving needs.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, offering a power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support and thigh extension, along with a heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The front seats featured heating and ventilation, with the passenger seat offering 6-way power adjustment. The interior boasted distinctive leather upholstery and acoustic sound-absorbing glass for a quieter ride. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and ventilated, with sunshades and separate climate control for rear passengers. The third-row seat was accessible via a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat, or through a pass-through between the captain's chairs. The Telluride provided ample storage, including smartphone-friendly bins and trays. The smart hands-free power liftgate opened automatically when the key fob was nearby, revealing 601 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,455 litres with seats folded.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized function, offering more than 100 litres of interior volume over the Toyota RAV4. It provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Access to the cargo area varied by trim, with the LX featuring a manual tailgate, the Sport offering a power tailgate, and the Touring including a hands-free version. Roof rails were standard on most trims for additional cargo-carrying options. The CR-V's interior was designed for practicality, accommodating five passengers comfortably and providing ample storage for their gear.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It allowed for pairing two smartphones via Bluetooth and included wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with menu shortcut buttons and intuitive touchscreen operation. A 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system was standard on SX trim, though sound quality was only average. The Limited grades added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Lower trims had varying audio setups, while the Touring trim offered a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. The EX-L trim included Sirius XM and HD radio, with satellite navigation available on Touring and Black Edition trims. Charging ports were abundant, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin. The Touring trim introduced a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim offered 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 stars for frontal-impact tests.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, standard across all trims, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, available on higher trims.