SUV duel: 2021 VW Atlas vs. 2021 Kia Telluride

You want to buy a large family SUV, but you're not sure. Which one is right for you? Here's a brief comparison of the 2021 VW Atlas and the 2021 Kia Telluride. You can see and try out the 2021 Telluride right now at Spinelli, your Kia dealer located very close to Montreal and Laval.

A great SUV champion’s trophies

As a prelude to the comparison between the Volkswagen Atlas and the Telluride, it should be noted that the 2020 Kia Telluride has been awarded the title of Best large utility vehicle in Canada for 2020 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The World Car Awards also gave it the title of 2020 World Car of the Year.

Different looks

Just like its 5-seat little twin, the 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, the 2021 Atlas comes with slim headlights and a grille with 3 horizontal bars. A fairly conventional design that is reminiscent of antique trucks from the previous century, far from the fluidity of the refined yet muscular lines of a modern SUV of the 2020s like the Telluride. This is a new era, isn’t it?

The new Nightsky Edition of the Telluride is a great confirmation of that! Deep black bodywork, a dark, stealthy look, exclusive black Kia logos, black roof rails, black finish 20-inch alloy wheels, a black grille and black skid plates.

The 2021 Atlas seats only 7 passengers, while the Telluride seats 8!

Atlas vs. Telluride design: the Telluride is all the rage!

Atlas vs. Telluride – Powertrains

The new 2021 Atlas offers 2 powertrains. A 235-hp, 4-cylinder turbo engine and a 276-hp V6, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

The Kia Telluride effortlessly dominates the VW SUV's engines with its 3.8L GDI V6 that generates 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Every Telluride pairs this engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission, Drive/Terrain modes and all-wheel drive. Simply put, the Kia Telluride's unique powertrain delivers more power and more punch than both of the Volkswagen Atlas' engines.

Atlas vs. Telluride engines: Telluride is the power champion!

Telluride vs. Atlas – Safety

In terms of safety, the 8 occupants of each 2021 Telluride are protected as standard by a veritable arsenal of driving aids which include:

• Safe Exit Assist System
• Child-safety rear door locks
• 2^nd and 3^rd row lower anchors and top tethers for children (LATCH)
• Hill-Assist Control
• Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist
• Lane Follow Assist
• Driver Attention Alert
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear parking sensors
• Blind View Monitor (except on the entry-range model)

And for each Telluride except the entry-range EX:

• Front parking sensors
• 360^o camera monitoring system

The 7 occupants of the Atlas are not protected by as much standard safety equipment.

Telluride vs Atlas safety: the Telluride is a shield!

Atlas vs. Telluride – Infotainment

Standard on the 2021 VW Atlas is an 8” centre display, while all versions (EX, SX, SX Limited and SX Limited Nightsky Edition) of the 2021 Telluride come standard with a 10.25” centre multimedia interface with integrated navigation. This display screen is only available as an option on the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas.

While the 2021 Atlas offers the optional premium Fender system, every Telluride SX, SX Limited and SX Limited Nightsky comes standard with a Harman/Kardon premium sound system.

The SX Limited and SX Limited Nightsky Edition also come standard with head-up display.

Atlas vs. Telluride entertainment: the Telluride swings!

Atlas vs. Telluride – Warranties

While the 2021 Atlas offers only a 4-year/80,000 km base warranty, the 2021 Telluride offers a stronger protection with a 5-year/100,000 km base coverage and a 5-year/100,000 km powertrain warranty.

Atlas vs. Telluride warranty: the Telluride, it’s guaranteed!

At Spinelli Kia

To discover and try the excellent 2021 Telluride or any other Kia SUV, come by your Spinelli Kia dealership located in the West Island, very close to Montreal.