2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Kia Telluride

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 $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 a luxurious feel with 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 execution. However, the interior colour options were limited, with light grey leather only available on the SX Limited trim.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek adopted a strategy of enhancing the Impreza hatchback with crossover characteristics, such as rugged looks and a taller driving position. It featured black body cladding, model-specific alloy wheels, and a higher ride height, providing 22 centimetres of ground clearance. The Crosstrek's design gave it an SUV-like appearance and more character than the base Impreza hatch. The interior remained functional but somewhat plain, with some trim pieces appearing cheap. However, the Crosstrek offered vibrant exterior colours and water-repellant upholstery, making it suitable for outdoor adventures.

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, offering Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. The AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, and the Telluride's 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance allowed it to handle low-grip terrain effectively. The suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth ride, while the self-levelling rear suspension ensured proper handling when loaded. The Telluride's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Outdoor and Limited trims featured a new 2.5-litre boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, while other trims retained the 2.0-litre boxer-four with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The boxer engine's lower profile improved handling, although the raised ride height negated some benefits. A six-speed manual transmission was available with the 2.0-litre engine, but most buyers opted for the CVT. The Crosstrek's AWD system included X-Mode for navigating loose surfaces, with additional modes for the Outdoor trim. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek's handling was predictable, with a comfortable ride and low wind noise. The 2.5-litre engine provided adequate acceleration, though the CVT's droning was noticeable.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a driver's seat offering 12-way power adjustment and a heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The front seats featured heating and ventilation, while the second-row captain's chairs added heating and ventilation on Limited grades. The third-row seat was accessible via a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat, and robust grab handles aided exit. The Telluride provided ample storage, including smartphone-friendly bins and USB ports. The 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 seats folded.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It provided 588 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,565 litres with them folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. CVT-equipped models included a rear-seat reminder to prevent leaving children or pets unattended. The Crosstrek's storage was minimal, with a cubby hole for phones and two USB ports. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, offering good outward visibility.

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

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen, with navigation standard on the Limited trim. The Crosstrek featured a second screen above the main touchscreen, displaying redundant information. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to navigate, and the Crosstrek included large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with eight standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, and automatic emergency braking. Additional systems included adaptive cruise control, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist. 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 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact results.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, with the highest ratings in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. EyeSight driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The system's cameras were positioned behind the windshield, offering protection but limiting functionality in certain conditions.