2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Kia Telluride had a transformative design that aimed to erase Kia's past reputation for cheap adequacy. It appeared more expensive than it was, though the Kia badge somewhat detracted from its upscale look. The Telluride's design was a blend of boxy presence and fluid curves, reminiscent of a big Chevy and a new Volvo. The front featured upright, rectilinear themes with wide-spaced vertical headlights and a silver mesh grille. The shoulder line along the vehicle's side gently protruded, similar to the XC90. The clean, minimal design was expected to age well, with special details like amber LED running lights and rectangular taillights. Inside, the Telluride's interior mimicked a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with twin grab handles, wide air vents, and an ultra-wide touchscreen. Despite some lower sections being hard plastic, the fit, quality, and colors were tasteful and classy. The SX-trim test vehicle with the Prestige Package added Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner, making it feel like a $60,000 to $70,000 vehicle, though it cost $46,930 fully loaded.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look with minor tweaks for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were new, and every trim level got standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. A new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretched the width of the taillights, and new wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels. These modifications modernized the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, included perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels. The Odyssey Elite aimed to serve as the Acura of minivans with its toned-down chrome and more luxurious interior.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) for an additional $2,000. Despite the lack of paddle shifters, the Telluride had a Sport mode for improved response, though the transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent. The Telluride's braking was strong with a firm pedal feel, but the steering was slow with noticeable body lean. The ride was smooth, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. Off-roaders appreciated the axle-lock feature and snow mode. The Telluride had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the $795 Towing package and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 and automatic transmission provided smooth, effortless power, with variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency. The EPA estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, and the test averaged 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked AWD, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. Honda added a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling were pleasurable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable ride quality. However, the brakes did not withstand much abuse, heating up and fading during a heatwave test.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and EX seated eight, while the S and SX seated seven with reclining captain's chairs in the second row. The SX trim added heating and cooling for the second-row seats, manual side-window shades, and a third climate zone. All trims had air vents, USB ports, and cupholders for second and third-row passengers. The Telluride's cabin was spacious, with kingly room in the second row and tolerable space for a 6-foot adult in the third row. Cargo capacity was 21 cubic feet with all seats raised and 87 cubic feet with them flat. The interior featured analog gauges, buttons, knobs, and a regular PRNDL shifter, complemented by a 3.5-inch instrument panel display and an 8-inch dash screen. EX and SX models had a 10.3-inch screen and a 7-inch instrument panel display.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was standard in all but the base LX trim, with the Elite trim adding a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, but passengers did not complain. Storage space was excellent, though the Elite's wireless smartphone charger took up some room. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for various seating modes, with two outboard captain's chairs and a removable middle section. The third-row seats accommodated both children and adults. Cargo space was 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled, and 144.9 cubic feet with all seats removed. The second-row seats folded flatter for increased utility but still required physical removal for maximum cargo volume.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote car location and unlocking via an app. A proximity key was standard, and upper trims with navigation had fast and accurate voice inputs. The system could search online like Google Maps, but live traffic and weather updates were less frequent and precise. The Telluride lacked onboard WiFi despite having a cellular modem. The SX trim featured a live feed of blind spots on the instrument cluster, Highway Driving Assist, a quiet mode, and an intercom for the third row. The SX also had bright LED headlights, dual moonroofs, and a Harman Kardon surround stereo. The standard 6-speaker stereo was less impressive.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription service plans, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. Touring and Elite trims offered HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge subscription plans. The Odyssey's technology had some drawbacks, such as the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology. Touring and Elite trims also had a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and streaming apps.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) at the time of writing, but top scores were predicted. The Telluride came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, adaptive cruise control, and Safe Exit Assist. Optional features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors. A driver's knee airbag was standard, but the front passenger did not have one.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including the base LX. Honda Sensing added low-speed follow capability to the adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could apply uneven braking and had a lane-departure warning system that wobbled the steering wheel. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the NHTSA for every assessment except rollover resistance, which received a four-star score.