2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Kia Telluride had a transformative design that aimed to erase Kia's reputation for cheap adequacy. It appeared more expensive than it was, although the large Kia badge on its grille was seen as a drawback. The Telluride's design was a blend of upscale and rugged elements, with a boxy presence reminiscent of a big Chevy and fluid curves similar to a 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, much like the XC90. The clean, minimal design was expected to age well, with special details like amber LED running lights and hockey stick-shaped taillights adding to its appeal. Inside, the Telluride's interior mimicked a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with twin grab handles, wide air vents, and an ultra-wide touchscreen. The fit, quality, and colors were tasteful and classy, with Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner in the SX-trim test vehicle. Despite some lower sections being hard plastic, the interior was inviting and felt solid. The fully loaded SX-trim cost $46,930, but many thought it was worth $60,000 to $70,000.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's conservative image with its current-generation design. It retained traditional Volvo styling features like a boxy profile and a rectangular grille but added more character with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level was the flashiest, with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels. The R-Design trim had a sportier look, while the base Momentum trim was more understated. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other "90" and "60" series models. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with thoughtfully arranged, nice-looking materials. The matte-finish wood trim had a natural appearance, and the wool upholstery option was unique. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a high-end touch, although it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2020 Kia Telluride was powered by 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) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional $2,000. The transmission could be manually shifted using the gear selector, and a Sport mode kept the transmission in lower gears for improved response. However, the response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent, and the shifting felt rougher compared to competitors. Despite this, the Telluride's power was sufficient to move its two-and-a-quarter-ton weight quickly. Braking was strong with a firm pedal feel, but the steering was slow, and there was 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 for slippery conditions. 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 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, producing a total of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The T5 came standard with FWD, with AWD optional, while the T6 and T8 had AWD as standard. Despite the high power output, the small engine struggled with flexibility, and the XC90 had difficulty accelerating away from stops on electric power alone. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only usable at low speeds with gentle acceleration. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, with an optional air-suspension system and a quiet cabin. Most models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except the base FWD T5, which was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and third-tier EX seated eight, while the second-tier S offered eight as a $100 option. The S and top 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 generous room 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 a 3.5-inch instrument panel display and an 8-inch dash screen. The EX and SX models had a 10.3-inch screen, and the SX had a 7-inch instrument panel display and a color head-up display.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, giving the interior a spacious feel. The XC90 had standard four-zone climate control with an optional filtration system. The Inscription trim had 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but no power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The XC90 had a hands-free power tailgate.

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 compared to other cars. 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 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. It had two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, with swipeable menus like a tablet. The lack of analog controls was not an issue due to the touchscreen's functionality. However, the text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones. The XC90 only had second-row USB-C ports, limiting charging options for newer phones.

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. It came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, adaptive cruise control, and Safe Exit Assist. Surround-view cameras and front parking sensors were optional. A driver's knee airbag was standard, but the front passenger did not have one.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models. It scored top “Good” ratings in all crash tests and “Superior” for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing, with an “Advanced” rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. Headlights and LATCH child-seat anchors received “Acceptable” ratings. The NHTSA gave all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered standard lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Pilot Assist. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering and was known for its smoothness and quick reactions.