2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Volvo XC90

In 2021, Volvo revamped its image with the current-generation XC90, which initially hit the market as a 2016 model. Traditionally known for conservative styling, the XC90 added character while remaining unmistakably a Volvo. Instead of adopting a radical design change like Lexus, Volvo retained its signature boxy profile and blunt front end featuring a rectangular grille. The key difference, however, lay in the details: softer lines, more chrome accents replacing unpainted plastic, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights.

The Inscription trim of the XC90 showcased extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, making it the flashiest of the available trims. The midlevel R-Design boasted a new gloss-black grille surround for 2021, and the basic Momentum trim was more subdued in appearance. The XC90 R-Design came with 20-inch wheels as standard, while the Momentum featured new-design 19-inch wheels for 2021.

Despite being a modern SUV, the XC90 was actually a car-based crossover, sharing its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo "90" series models like the S90 sedan and V90 wagon, as well as the smaller "60" series models including the XC60 crossover, S60 sedan, and V60 wagon.

The XC90's interior epitomized the cliché of "Swedish minimalism." It prioritized thoughtful arrangement and high-quality materials without overwhelming flash. Volvo used matte-finish wood trim, providing a natural look compared to the glossy trim found in many other luxury cars, and even offered unique wool upholstery alongside the more traditional Nappa leather. An Orrefors crystal shifter in the test car added a high-end touch that was somewhat incongruous with the otherwise restrained interior design.

Kia, on the other hand, sold the 2021 Telluride in four trims: LX, S, EX, and SX, each available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Pricing ranged from $32,190 to $42,490, excluding destination charges. While the Telluride S provided significant value, many opted for the top-tier SX trim, which could be outfitted with a Prestige package, effectively making it a luxury SUV at a mainstream price. This package included premium stitched Nappa leather, simulated suede headliner, a head-up display (HUD), and heated and ventilated second-row seats.

New for 2021, the Nightfall Edition package offered a blacked-out look with gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels, unique grille insert, and a different texture for a more aggressive appearance. The test vehicle included the Nightfall Edition, AWD, Prestige package, Towing package, carpeted floor mats, cargo net, cargo cover, and a carpeted cargo and seatback mat, bringing the total price to $50,180, including a $1,170 destination charge.

The Telluride's styling was widely praised, with every line, detail, and proportion receiving approval. Inside, the use of glossy hard plastic in lower sections was minimal and overall execution was of high quality. The transmission shifter was placed thoughtfully on the left side of the center console, preserving storage space and providing a solid, smooth operational feel, enhancing the perception of quality with each drive.

Although the Telluride’s interior color options were limited to black or gray unless one chose the SX trim, these were the only significant design and material drawbacks.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three distinct powertrains, each centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 took performance up a notch, with the engine both turbocharged and supercharged, yielding 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The top-tier T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid (also known as Recharge) combined the T6 engine with electric assist, including an integrated starter/generator motor and an electric motor for the rear axle. This hybrid setup delivered an impressive 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. While the T5 came standard with FWD, AWD was optional for the T5 and standard for the T6 and T8.

Despite its 400 horsepower, the T8 plug-in hybrid's power was tempered by its small engine size. It struggled to accelerate from stops on electric power alone, necessitating gasoline engine assistance even at low speeds. Consequently, drivers had to choose between efficiency and power, with Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power modes available. However, Pure mode was usable only at low speeds with gentle acceleration due to the automatic kick-in of the gasoline engine.

The XC90 excelled in delivering a luxurious ride quality. Even with 21-inch wheels, the air-suspension system (an optional feature) provided a smooth ride. Though not engineered for sporty handling, the suspension managed to control body roll through corners without giving passengers a roller-coaster experience. The cabin was notably quiet, save for air conditioning or seat ventilation noises on hot days.

Most XC90 models offered a 5,000-pound towing capacity, adequate for midsize trailers or boats, except the base FWD T5, which was limited to 4,000 pounds. For heavy towing needs, competitors like the Lincoln Aviator, with up to 6,700-pound towing capacity, posed a better option.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Telluride employed a single powertrain for simplicity’s sake—a 3.8-liter V6 engine matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Kia's Drive Mode Select allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes.

Optional AWD included a Lock function for maximum traction and, combined with the SUV’s 8-inch ground clearance, allowed the AWD Telluride to cover rough terrain that the FWD variant could not.

During its introduction in 2019, the Telluride tackled wintry mixed conditions in Colorado, successfully navigating through a muddy mess and a snowstorm. In subsequent tests around Los Angeles and Malibu's mountain routes, the SUV displayed proficiency in eliminating the "head-toss" effect. This effect is characteristic of SUVs with taller centers of gravity and ride heights, causing lateral rocking motion over uneven surfaces.

The Telluride’s suspension comprised a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear design, with EX and SX trims boasting a self-leveling rear suspension for consistent ride and handling when loaded. The tuning resulted in a firm and connected feel at lower speeds, softening at higher speeds for a smooth, compliant ride. While increased body roll was present during fast cornering, the 20-inch wheels available on most trims provided excellent grip. The brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control further enhanced handling.

In terms of fuel economy, the AWD Telluride was EPA-rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 20.5 mpg, fluctuating between Smart and Sport driving modes.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered both six-seat and seven-seat configurations, depending on whether buyers chose second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom across all three rows were average for the segment, with limited third-row space for adults. Notably, seats in the third and second rows were hard and lacked support, although an optional power moonroof and four-zone climate control system improved the overall ambiance.

Up front, the Inscription trim of the XC90 provided 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage (part of the optional Lounge Package). However, despite packing in many luxury features, a power-adjustable steering wheel was unavailable. Forward visibility was somewhat hindered due to the vehicle's tall hood, and the center console offered limited storage space.

Cargo capacity for the XC90 T8 Recharge was somewhat limited. It provided 11.2 cubic feet with all seats up, 34.1 cubic feet with the third row down, and 64.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded, placing it near the lower end of the segment. As with most three-row vehicles, cargo space was modest with the third row in use, although a hands-free power tailgate was a convenient addition.

Conversely, the 2021 Kia Telluride was both stylish and functional, excelling in comfort and practicality. Its SX trim featured a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with both lumbar and thigh support, heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and ample forward visibility resembling that of a Range Rover. Heated and ventilated front passenger seats offered 8-way power adjustments, while the sophisticated stitching of the Prestige package’s Nappa leather upholstery stood out without relying on Bentley-style quilting.

The Telluride's second-row captain’s chairs, equipped with heating and ventilation, provided a practical layout with sliding functionality and additional climate control panels. Adults could comfortably use the third-row seats, although it was not as spacious as the Volkswagen Atlas’s third row. Convenient access buttons tilted and slid the second-row seats, and robust grab handles facilitated easy exit.

Storage solutions in the Telluride were impressive, with useful designs for modern families, including airline-style USB ports, grocery bag hooks, smartphone storage pouches, and cupholders cleverly integrated into the cabin layout. The “smart” hands-free power liftgate automatically opened by sensing the proximity of the key fob, offering a substantial improvement over foot-activated sensors.

Cargo capacity started at a generous 21 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded down and reaching a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. Convenient buttons in the cargo area made reconfiguring the space quick and easy.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 incorporated the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized functionality over feature overload. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Additionally, it included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports, with optional upgrades such as a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display (HUD).

The portrait-oriented touchscreen was intuitive, operating like a tablet with swiping features, though the amount of text and typeface made menus occasionally hard to read while driving. One noticeable shortcoming was the wireless charging pad, which did not fit most phones, and higher-end phone users might struggle with the front USB ports limited to USB-A.

The 2021 Kia Telluride offered a rich technological experience across its trim levels. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with an 8-inch touchscreen display in LX and S trims, and a larger 10.25-inch screen with navigation in EX and SX trims. The UVO Link Lite connected services plan was free for five years, along with a range of additional subscription-based features, including Rear Occupant Alert and remote functionalities.

The Telluride allowed pairing of two smartphones to the Bluetooth connection, and upper trims featured wireless smartphone charging. The system was praised for its intuitive ease of use, menu shortcut buttons, stereo knobs, and accessible touchscreen operation. Although the voice-recognition system was not perfect, it largely performed well in responding to test prompts.

A 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system was standard on SX trim, while the Prestige package added a head-up display with comprehensive information, including blind-spot notifications. Moreover, the Driver Talk and Quiet Mode features added convenience, with the former amplifying the driver’s voice for rear passengers and the latter limiting stereo volume to induce restfulness among passengers.

The XC90 boasted an extensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist. The Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing among the most refined and quick-reacting systems, although gentle highway curves occasionally challenged its lane-centering ability.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came equipped with Kia’s Drive Wise collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. EX and SX trims featured Highway Drive Assist, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance for a semi-autonomous driving experience.

The Telluride also included unique safety systems like Rear Occupant Alert and Safe Exit Assist, which utilized radar to ensure safe egress. The SX trim offered additional features such as front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and the innovative Blind-Spot View Monitor, projecting a video feed of blind spots onto the instrument screen during lane changes.