2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Kia Telluride marked a departure from Kia's history of favoring practicality over prestige. This SUV exhibited a luxurious appearance far beyond its price point, casting a shadow on the often underestimated Kia badge. According to its chief U.S. designer, the extensive grille, adorned with an outdated logo, detracted from the vehicle's sophisticated silhouette. However, when drivers moved past preconceived notions, they'd notice the Telluride was an aesthetic marvel. It gracefully blended the imposing figure of large Chevys with the sleek elegance of new Volvos. Its upright front facade featured wide vertical headlights, silver mesh grille, and lower black cutouts, creating a sophisticated, sharp look. The shoulder line extending along the vehicle mimicked the stylish XC90. Special touches included LED running lights doubling as turn signals and the distinctive "TELLURIDE" badges, giving it a touch of British luxury SUV flair. Inside, the interior closely resembled a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with its luxurious twin grab handles, wide air vents, an expansive touchscreen, and tasteful matte wood fittings. Higher trims featured Nappa leather seats embellished with mountain peak stitching, feeling unexpectedly high-end for the price range. Many were pleasantly surprised to find the fully loaded Telluride topped out at just $46,930, defying expectations of a vehicle easily perceived to cost $60,000 to $70,000.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Nissan Rogue approached its design with a rugged yet refined aesthetic, presenting a fresh, technical look. Dark gray cladding and bold skid plates adorned the Rogue’s frame, dipping slightly too audaciously at the rear bumper. The updated V-Motion grille, clean LED lighting, and well-proportioned body contribute to an overall modern appeal. The optional two-tone paint added a customized feel. Offered in four versions, each trim level climbed in luxury and features, ending with the Platinum trim, boasting semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale details. Our tested Rogue SL, equipped with extras, presented a light and airy interior accentuated by a panoramic glass sunroof and abundant soft-touch surfaces. The Almond color leather, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars elevated the cabin's quality. However, some design choices, like the dated climate control display, introduced a hint of nostalgia with old-school digital clock numbers and a CD player—a stark contrast to the modern systems like wireless Apple CarPlay.

Under the hood, the 2020 Kia Telluride housed a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The 8-speed automatic transmission allowed manual shifting and offered a Sport mode but was critiqued for occasional delayed responses and rough shifting. Despite this, the engine's power was sufficient to move the nearly 2.25-ton Telluride rapidly, with solid braking performance to match. Steering was slower and body lean noticeable, indicating Kia aimed for a Ford Explorer benchmark rather than higher agility targets. The ride was comfortable, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. For off-road enthusiasts, the Telluride featured an axle-lock for power distribution and a snow mode for winter conditions. The towing capacity matched rivals like the Honda Pilot at 5,000 pounds (with an optional tow package), enough for class expectations without requiring bulkier SUV alternatives. Its fuel economy averaged 21 mpg over 500 miles, with FWD models slightly more efficient at 23 mpg combined.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Rogue felt underpowered with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque—adequate but uninspiring for its nearly 3,500-pound frame. Its continuously variable transmission (CVT) mimicked traditional automatic transmission characteristics well, with paddle shifters for manual control, though usage didn't enhance the driving experience significantly. Off-road capabilities shone through with 8.2 inches of ground clearance, AWD, and new drive modes. Despite the modest power, the Rogue featured impressive ride and handling thanks to its new robust architecture, brake-induced control systems, and predictive Vehicle Motion Control. The new steering system, moving electric assist to the steering rack and enhancing the ratio, significantly improved steering responsiveness. Fuel economy was solid but slightly below EPA ratings, averaging 27.5 mpg in varied driving conditions.

As a mid-size SUV, the 2020 Kia Telluride provided flexible seating configurations for seven or eight passengers. With expansive second-row space resembling first-class seating, the Telluride offered heating, cooling, manual side-window shades, and ceiling-mounted climate controls for upper trims. Every row had its own air vents, USB ports, and cupholders. The third row, though tighter, accommodated adults comfortably for short trips. Cargo space was ample at 21 cubic feet with all seats up and an impressive 87 cubic feet with seats folded. Its dashboard featured intuitive analog controls paired with digital displays, including a 7-inch instrument screen and a larger 10.3-inch infotainment screen on higher trims for comprehensive information access and user-friendly operation.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue focused heavily on comfort, introducing enhanced Zero Gravity seats. These provided exceptional comfort across all trims with varied materials from cloth in the S trim to premium leather in the Platinum. The Rogue emphasized rear seating comfort and ease of entry with rear doors opening nearly 90 degrees. It catered well to families with ample legroom, headroom, and innovative child seat-friendly LATCH anchors. Improved noise insulation techniques also ensured a quieter cabin. Storage solutions were well-thought-out, with an electronic shifter allowing space under the center console and well-sized door pockets plus a split-opening center armrest. Cargo capacity was robust, with up to 36.5 cubic feet with seats up using the Divide-N-Hide system and up to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, slightly less generous than the Telluride but still commendable for the segment.

Tech-savvy buyers would enjoy the standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and UVO link on the 2020 Kia Telluride, despite its lack of onboard WiFi. The proximity key and advanced navigation features with voice input offered easy and accurate use, though traffic and weather updates lagged behind competitors. Upper trims boasted a slew of tech enhancements, including a surround stereo, dual moonroofs, LED lighting, and driver-oriented innovations like Highway Driving Assist and quiet mode features.

For the 2021 Nissan Rogue, technological offerings depended on trim levels. Starting with the S trim, the Rogue offered an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. Moving up the trims added advanced features like NisanConnect Services, providing remote functionalities and integration with digital assistants Alexa and Google Assistant. Premium trims included a larger 9-inch touchscreen, advanced navigation, and a Bose premium audio system, along with wireless Apple CarPlay offering a top-notch listening and navigation experience. The Platinum trim added even more advancements with wireless smartphone charging, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display ensuring minimal distraction while driving.

Safety features were abundant in the 2020 Kia Telluride, though official ratings were pending. Standard driver assists included forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control, enhancing overall driving confidence. Unique features like Safe Exit Assist prevented passengers from opening doors in unsafe conditions. Optional upgrades included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors, rounding out a robust safety suite.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue emphasized safety heavily with its Nissan Safety Shield 360, bundling comprehensive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and more, prioritizing essential safety features even over adaptive cruise control at lower trims. Platinum trims benefitted from an airbag between front seats, enhancing collision protection. ProPilot Assist with Navi-link offered advanced driving aids, though its real-world performance varied slightly from expectations. Although official crash-test results were not available, the Rogue’s increased high-strength steel construction suggested strong safety credentials.