The Ford Explorer Claims to be Better Than the Kia Telluride
Ford is making a play for more media attention before its 2021 lineup is released. Part of its attempt to build publicity includes trying to dunk on other brands. For example, it said the new Ford Bronco will be better than the Jeep Wrangler.
However, the Ford Bronco isn’t out yet, making it hard to compare. It also suggested that the Ford Explorer is better than the Kia Telluride, and these are two models we can compare to see if Ford’s flex is accurate.
The Ford Explorer vs the Kia Telluride
Did you just play that stereotypical western standoff tune in your head? Good, because the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride are about to duel. The 2020 Ford Explorer rolled into town with an all-new redesign and base model starting price around $32k. The Kia Telluride is the new cowpoke that showed up with a starting price of around $31k, so both options are competitively priced.
The Ford Explorer manages to provide a better fuel economy. It gets 27 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The new Telluride gets around 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. However, the Ford Explorer seems to have a jerky transmission that doesn’t make the fuel savings worth it.
Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride Power
The Kia Telluride comes with one engine option, which is a 3.8-liter V6. It pumps out 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 5,000 lb and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7 seconds, making it pretty fast and powerful.
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The Ford Explorer has three engine options. The base engine is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that offers 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0-liter V6 EcoBoost engine offers 365 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Also, the 3.6-liter V6 hybrid engine provides 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
With this power boost, the Ford Explorer can tow up to 5,600 lb, which is only 600 lb more. However, the Explorer has trailer sway control for automatic stability control. It can also accelerate from 0 to 60 in 6.7 seconds.
The Ford Explorer comes with rear-wheel-drive to enhance its sporty performance and towing capabilities. It also has intelligent four-wheel-drive with drive modes for sand, mud, snow, and more. The Kia Telluride is available with all-wheel drive and has a driving mode for snow. While you can drive in snow and slippery conditions in the Telluride, we would feel more confident in the Explorer for off-roading.
Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer Features
The Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer both offer up to 87 cubic feet of cargo space. But the Kia Telluride has more passenger space and more room behind the third row of seats. But the Ford Explorer has a nicer interior with more convenience features, like a built-in grader door opener and tri-zone auto climate control.
Both options have modern safety features such as forward collision prevention, rear-cross traffic, alert, and more. But the Ford Explorer also offers park assist, evasive steering control, and more. The Ford Explorer seems to provide more for around the same price.
So, the Ford Explorer can claim to be better than the Kia Telluride, at least on paper. It’s more capable, more comfortable, and smarter. However, the Kia Telluride can’t be simply written off. It’s one of the most awarded SUVs of the year. Be sure to give both vehicles a test drive to determine the best option for your family.
