As SUVs continue to battle for the top spot, things keep getting more and more interesting. The 2021 Kia Telluride just took down the 2021 Ford Expedition as the king. But what does the Kia Telluride have on the Expedition? 

The 2021 Kia Telluride vs. the 2021 Ford Expedition 

According to the U.S. News, the 2021 Kia Telluride ranks higher than the 2021 Ford Expedition on their list of the best eight-passenger SUVs. The Expedition landed in third place, and the Telluride landed in second place. 

The Lincoln Navigator got the top spot, but it’s a little unfair to compare luxury options to more affordable competitors. But the Ford Expedition and Kia Telluride have quite a few differences that could make them slightly unfair to compare as well. But they both have eight seats, so let’s see why the Telluride beats the Expedition. 

Why does the Telluride rank higher than the Expedition? 

The 2021 Kia Telluride serves as an affordable eight-seat SUV that provides tons of value. The base model begins at around $32,190. It optimizes interior space with enough room for adults in the first and second row. However, the third row isn’t as spacious as some of the other options on the list. 

The 2021 Ford Expedition ranks highly because it has plenty of space for adult passengers in all three rows. But it does have a higher starting price at around $49,025. It also provides plenty of cargo space. 

With the Telluride, you get a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 5,000 lbs. It can tow small campers that generally weigh between 1,000 to 3,200 lbs. 

The Expedition comes with a 3.5-liter engine that pumps out 375 to 400 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 9,300 lbs. So, it has an edge here if you have larger items to haul. 

But the Telluride does slightly better on fuel. It gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Expedition receives an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and up to 23 mpg on the highway. 

Which SUV has better features? 

Edmunds describes the 2021 Kia Telluride as being incredibly comfortable. The seats are supportive with pillow-like headrests, the cabin is luxury quiet, the ride is mostly smooth, and the climate system performs well. 

Edmunds noted that the 2021 Ford Expedition is also comfortable. The seats are supportive and well-cushioned, the ride quality is smooth, and the cabin is quiet. However, the climate control system is a little weak. 

Both SUVs come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trim levels of the Telluride gain a standard wireless charging pad, and the Expedition includes a Wi-fi hotspot. 

The Kia Telluride also includes more standard safety features such as blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning. These features are optional with the Expedition. 

Both of these three-row SUVs are excellent options to consider. While the Expedition provides more space and capability, the smaller Kia Telluride includes more value for the family to enjoy. We recommend test driving both options.