2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX, with both front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Base pricing ranged from $32,190 to $42,490, excluding destination charges. The Telluride S trim was noted for its value, but many opted for the top-tier SX trim, which could be equipped with a Prestige package, transforming it into a luxury SUV. This package added premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display (HUD), and heated and ventilated second-row seats. The Nightfall Edition package, new for 2021, offered a blacked-out look with gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a unique grille insert. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Nightfall Edition, AWD, Prestige package, and other options, had a sticker price of $50,180, including a $1,170 destination charge.

The 2021 Telluride's styling was a major selling point, with its exterior design receiving high praise. The interior, aside from some glossy hard plastic on the lower parts, was a model of contemporary design and quality execution. The transmission shifter, placed to the left side of the center console, preserved storage space and felt solid and smooth in operation. However, interior color options were limited to black or gray unless you opted for the SX trim. Despite these minor flaws, the Telluride's look and feel were highly regarded.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, last redesigned 12 years ago, had seen updates over the years but remained largely the same. Its design, while not conventionally attractive, aged well with its two-box body, flared fenders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The 4Runner was offered in SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trims, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition, Venture Special Edition, and Nightshade Special Edition. Pricing ranged from $36,950 for the SR5 with rear-wheel drive (RWD) to $50,570 for the TRD Pro with standard four-wheel drive (4WD).

Our test vehicle, the Trail Special Edition, was priced at $38,565 MSRP for the RWD model, with 4WD adding $1,875. It included a premium audio upgrade, cargo cover, and TRD front skid plate, bringing the total price to $43,729, including a $1,175 destination charge. Toyota planned to build only 4,000 units of the Trail Special Edition, which came in white, black, Cement (gray), and Army Green. It featured dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels and a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket. Inside, it had black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, a sliding rear cargo tray, and a custom-made 40-quart cooler.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, technically a crossover, was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. Kia’s Drive Mode Select technology offered Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. AWD was optional and included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, combined with the SUV’s eight inches of ground clearance.

During testing, the Telluride demonstrated impressive off-road capabilities, successfully navigating muddy trails and snowstorms. On regular roads, the Telluride's ride and handling were notable for minimizing "head-toss," a phenomenon caused by lateral rocking motion. The suspension tuning, featuring a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear design, along with a self-leveling rear suspension on EX and SX trims, ensured a firm and connected sensation at slower speeds and a more compliant ride at higher speeds. The Telluride's 20-inch wheels and tires provided commendable grip, and brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology aided in handling. The EPA estimated fuel economy for the AWD Telluride at 21 mpg in combined driving, with our testing averaging 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, used a five-speed automatic transmission to power the rear wheels, with part-time 4WD available. The Trail Special Edition did not offer automatic 4WD, and the maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds.

During off-road testing at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area, the 4Runner's A-Trac off-road traction control system proved effective, allowing the vehicle to navigate challenging terrain. The 4Runner's performance in mud, hills, and ruts was impressive, and higher trims offered additional off-road features like a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. However, on regular roads, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with less refined steering and braking. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 17 mpg in combined driving, with our testing averaging 16.8 mpg.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility. The SX trim's driver’s seat offered 14-way power adjustment, including lumbar and thigh support, and both front seats had heating and ventilation. The Prestige package added premium leather upholstery and acoustic sound-absorbing glass. The second-row captain’s chairs, also heated and ventilated, provided ample comfort, and the third-row seat was usable by adults. The Telluride offered various storage solutions, including smartphone bins, USB ports, and grocery bag hooks. The "smart" hands-free power liftgate revealed 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded and 87 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, sitting high off the ground, offered comfortable front and rear seats with good support and legroom. The rear seat had air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. A third-row seat was available, but our test vehicle had a sliding cargo deck instead, which could hold 440 pounds. Cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition's roof rack added extra storage capacity.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The LX and S trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX and SX trims featured a 10.25-inch screen with navigation. Kia’s UVO Link Lite connected services plan was free for five years, with additional plans available for the first year. The system included features like Rear Occupant Alert, remote engine start, and climate control operation. The SX trim had a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. The Prestige package added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. It included a year of free Safety Connect subscription services and a three-month/2-GB trial of WiFi Connect. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, point-of-interest search, and voice recognition, along with a one-year subscription to Destination Assist concierge services. The system was user-friendly, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs for easy operation.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came standard with eight advanced safety technologies, including blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-monitoring system, and automatic emergency braking. EX and SX trims added Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The SX trim also included front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star frontal-impact ratings for both the driver and front passenger.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision from the IIHS. The NHTSA also gave the 4Runner's front passenger protection a three-star rating in a frontal-impact crash.