The 2021 Kia Sorento Makes the Kia Telluride Yesterday’s News
Are you sure you’re settled on the Kia Telluride? Because the 2021 Kia Sorento just came out with a bang! Both SUV options have three-rows of seats to haul your family around, but the 2021 Kia Sorento has a few must-see upgrades.
The Kia Telluride vs. the 2021 Kia Sorento
Pricing for the 2021 Kia Sorento hasn’t been released yet, but this fresh three-row SUV could begin around $29,000, according to CarIndigo. This is a significant increase in price, as the 2020 model begins around $26,990. But the interior and exterior upgrades could be worth it.
The Kia Telluride starts off a little more expensive at about $31,890. Also, it doesn’t have major updates from the 2020 model. It will mostly carryover to 2021. Also, both of these SUVs fit in the midsize category.
Kia Telluride and Kia Sorento performance
The Kia Sorento base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder option that provides 191 hp. But you can upgrade to the 2.5-liter turbo option for 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, which is pretty exciting. It should be faster than the 2020 Kia Sorento, which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mpg in about 7.2 seconds.
Also, the 2021 Kia Sorento has a new 1.6-liter Turbo Hybrid powertrain with 258 lb-ft of torque. It’s estimated that the Kia Sorento Hybrid will get about 37 mpg and have a range of 620 miles. The numbers for the gasoline engines haven’t been released.
The Kia Telluride has a single 3.8-liter V6 engine choice. It provides 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It also can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds, so the 2021 Kia Sorento might be faster.
With the Kia Telluride, you can tow up to 5,000 lb, which isn’t bad. The 2020 Kia Sorento could tow 5,000 lb too, but the 2021 model might be more powerful. Also, both options are available with all-wheel-drive.
However, the 2021 Kia Sorento is being marketed as better for off-roading with adaptive all-wheel-drive that has a lock mode. It also has torque vectoring cornering control to increase stability and hill-start assist control. It was also tested in the most extreme environments, including the Death Valley desert and Alaskan Tundra.
2021 Kia Sorento and Kia Telluride features
Unfortunately, the 2021 Kia Sorento hasn’t released its cargo space numbers. We aren’t sure how big it is compared to the Kia Telluride yet. However, the Kia Telluride might be taller with more headspace thanks to its boxy design.
Both SUVs have the option for captain chairs in the second row. But the Kia Sorento only seats up to seven people while the Kia Telluride can seat 8. So, if you have an extra passenger, go for the Telluride.
Also, the Kia Sorento could be a little more advanced. While both SUVs offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Kia Sorrento offers these services wirelessly. It can also connect to the Kia Access app to connect to roadside assistance, upload navigation, find your car, and more.
We don’t know what safety features will come with the 2021 Kia Sorento yet, but it has smart airbags that are intelligently inflated based on the severity of the impact. It also has a lighter high-strength steel structure. The Kia Telluride has automatic emergency braking and all the standard assistance features.
