2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive: EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky Edition. The base pricing ranged from $46,195 to $55,695, excluding destination charges of $1,895. The Telluride EX was noted for its value, but many opted for the SX Limited trim, which offered luxury features like premium stitched Nappa leather and a head-up display. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition introduced a blacked-out aesthetic with unique design elements. The Telluride's styling was widely praised, with its exterior and interior design receiving high marks for quality and contemporary execution. However, the interior was limited to black unless opting for the SX Limited trim, and some glossy hard plastics were noted as minor drawbacks.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a fourth-generation model, maintained its timeless appeal with a design that balanced rugged utility and upscale sophistication. The Grand Cherokee lineup included affordable trims like Laredo and Limited, upscale models like Overland and Summit, and performance-oriented versions like the SRT and Trackhawk. The Summit trim, equipped with a 5.7-litre V8 engine and four-wheel drive, featured premium leather, genuine wood, and a sophisticated interior design. However, the interior showed signs of aging with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee's exterior design remained a strong selling point, contributing to its continued success.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was powered by 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 with options like Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. The Telluride's AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, complemented by 20.3 cm of ground clearance. The suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth ride, while the self-leveling rear suspension on higher trims ensured proper handling when loaded. The Telluride achieved a fuel efficiency of 11.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with an optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 offering 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The V8 provided a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg and featured cylinder deactivation for improved efficiency. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, with a ground clearance range of 21.8 cm to 27.4 cm. The V8 achieved a fuel efficiency of 12.9 L/100 km on a mixed driving loop. The Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius and effective brakes added to its daily driving appeal, though it could feel bouncy on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable and spacious interior, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated and ventilated, with sliding functionality for easy third-row access. The Telluride provided 601 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,455 litres with seats folded. The smart hands-free power liftgate added convenience, and ample storage solutions catered to modern families.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather and a heated steering wheel. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, but rear legroom was somewhat limited. The optional rear-seat entertainment system could feel claustrophobic, though large windows and a panoramic sunroof helped. The Grand Cherokee provided 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,934 litres with seats folded. Practical storage solutions were limited, but the power liftgate and easy seat folding added convenience.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system allowed for dual smartphone pairing and included wireless charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice-recognition system had room for improvement. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, and Limited grades added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system provided a seamless user experience with fast response times and intuitive controls. The Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, delivering excellent sound quality. The Grand Cherokee's technology offerings were considered "tech lite," focusing on essentials with some advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. 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, with some four-star frontal-impact results.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were mixed, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models but lower ratings from the IIHS in certain crash tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive ProTech II Package with features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also offered parking assistance systems, though its safety ratings highlighted areas for improvement.