2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

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. Its clean, minimal design with special details like amber LED running lights and large "TELLURIDE" badges gave it a unique yet familiar appeal. Inside, the Telluride's interior mimicked a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with its twin grab handles, wide air vents, and ultra-wide touchscreen. Despite some lower sections being hard plastic, the overall fit, quality, and colors were tasteful and classy. The SX-trim with the Prestige Package added luxurious touches like Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner, making it feel like a $60,000-$70,000 vehicle, though it cost $46,930 fully loaded.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic that was likely to age well. It was large for its class, nearly as big inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to a long-wheelbase version. The Tiguan's interior was roomy and accommodating, with plenty of space for four people and an optional third-row seat for seven passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, with some quirks like the engine start button's location. While the cabin had shiny detailing and a flush touchscreen display, it also had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi. The SEL trim test vehicle, priced at $35,040, included 4Motion AWD and no additional options.

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 FWD or AWD for an additional $2,000. Despite the power, the transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent, and the shifting felt rougher compared to competitors. However, the Telluride's braking was strong, and the ride was smooth, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. It 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 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 4Motion AWD system was a $1,400 option on most models. The engine suffered from turbocharger lag, making it feel breathless when extra power was needed. The Tiguan's fuel economy was EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, with the test model averaging 22.6 mpg. Despite the engine's shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires gave up grip early in corners.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The second-tier S and top SX trims offered reclining captain's chairs in the second row, with heating and cooling options. The Telluride's cabin was spacious, with generous legroom in the second row and a tolerable third row for adults. 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 two displays: a 3.5-inch for the instrument panel and an 8-inch screen for the dash. EX and SX models had a 10.3-inch screen and a 7-inch instrument panel display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The back seat offered generous legroom and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, providing a usefully shaped cargo space with deep wells on each side. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on whether the SUV had the optional third-row seat, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

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. Upper trims with navigation had fast and accurate voice inputs and live traffic and weather updates. 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 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation. However, the voice recognition technology was lacking, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender audio system was a notable improvement.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing, but it was expected to receive top scores. It 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.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with IQ Drive, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL trim included lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS for the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.