2021 Kia Telluride vs. 2021 Ford Explorer

When shopping for a full-size SUV, it can be hard to decide which model is your best option. The 2021 Kia Telluride is just the second model for this brand-new SUV, which was only introduced to the market in 2020. Continuing to impress after its warm reception, the new Telluride brings an upgraded towing system, a new appearance package, and some tech updates to the 2021 year. Another popular SUV, the 2021 Ford Explorer, is the second generation of the completely revamped model. This new model year offers updated exterior features and package options as well. 

So, how do these two SUVs measure up when looking at the specifics? Here's what you need to know.

Available Trim Levels

There are four trim levels available for the Telluride, starting with the base LX trim. This trim provides the basics of what you want in an SUV: space, capability, and safety. The upper S, EX, and SX trims offer additional features focused on different aspects of performance and style. The S trim is great if you want comfort features like a sunroof and heated front seats. If you want a more luxurious interior, the EX trim includes ventilated leather seats. If you're looking for top-notch features and a sporty look, you will love the SX option. 

The Ford Explorer offers five trim levels. If you opt for the base Explorer trim, you'll get some nice features for a basic trim, like chrome exterior accents and automatic high beams. The XLT and Limited trims add some eye-catching style upgrades as well as an optional hybrid powertrain. If you're looking for a more performance-focused SUV, the Explorer ST offers some extra kick with a more powerful engine than the standard option. Finally, the Platinum trim offers some luxurious interior features as well as the same engine as the ST. 

Standard Features

Standard features are becoming more and more impressive as car manufacturers keep up with the evolution of technology and design. The 2021 Telluride is certainly keeping up: Every trim level comes with heated side mirrors with integrated LED turn signal indicators, LED daytime running lights, alloy wheels with a painted finish, an 8-inch touch screen, smart cruise control, eight-passenger seating, and hand-free calling capability. 

Kia's UVO Link is also a standard feature for the 2021 Telluride, offering smartphone connectivity and convenient capabilities through the app. You can connect to your Telluride and enjoy remote features like vehicle location services, remote start, remote door lock and unlock, and maintenance information. 

The Ford Explorer also provides some standard features like tri-zone electronic climate control, remote start, lane-keeping assistance, a Wi-Fi hotspot, LED taillights, seating for seven, and automatic high beams. Ford also provides smartphone connectivity through FordPass Connect, which offers the same remote features as Kia's UVO service. 

Engine Specifications

The standard engine for the new Telluride is a 3.8-liter Lambda V-6 with direct fuel injection and an electronically controlled eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine gets up to 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A Sportmatic sport shifter provides a more exciting drive than you'd expect from a full-size SUV. You can choose between four different drive modes: Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Eco. 

A 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine comes with the base trim of the Ford Explorer, offering up to 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The performance-focused ST trim features a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that kicks out 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid option is a 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V-6 engine paired with a lithium-ion battery. Every Explorer engine option comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability. 

Capability

Every Telluride model features underbody skid plates to protect the vital parts of the SUV, even while taking on difficult terrain. An available active on-demand all-wheel-drive system with all-wheel-drive lock and snow mode provides ideal handling and traction in poor driving conditions. When properly equipped, the Kia Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds. 

Ford's available four-wheel-drive all-terrain management system provides seven different drive modes: normal, slippery, sport, trail, tow/haul, eco, and deep-snow/sand. This allows you to easily select your preferred capability for the road ahead. With the available tow package equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600 pounds. 

Space 

When you opt for the standard second- and third-row bench seats, you'll have seats for up to eight people in your Telluride. Second-row captain chairs are available with upper trims, but they take the count down to seven seats. With the second- and third-row seats folded down, you'll have 87 cubic feet of cargo space to work with. 

The Ford Explorer doesn't offer a second-row bench seat, so it only seats up to seven people. If you fold down the second and third rows, you'll have 87.8 cubic feet of space available. 

Technology

An 8-inch touch screen and infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard with the base Telluride trim. Upper trims feature a larger 10.25-inch touch screen, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a wireless charging pad. 

The Ford Explorer comes with Ford's SYNC 3 infotainment system that also uses Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration. A tablet-sized touch screen with voice-activated navigation and pinch-to-zoom capability is available on upper trims.

Safety

Several standard safety features, like forward-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, smart cruise control, and driver attention warnings, provide Kia Telluride drivers with peace of mind. The Ford Explorer offers many of the same safety features, but features like smart cruise control are only available with upper trim levels. 

The Kia Telluride is spacious, capable, convenient, and good-looking SUV that has all the perks you want inside and out. Contact Tom Kadlec Kia (or give us a dial at 517-215-8923) to take a look at a brand-new Telluride in person and even take one out for a test drive. Our helpful staff is ready to show you our new Telluride inventory and answer any questions you may have. 

 

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2020 Ford Explorer, rather than 2021 Ford Explorer, shown in banner image. Featured Telluride vehicle image via Kia Dot Com, featured Explorer vehicle image via Ford Dot Com.