Telluride vs. Atlas: Comparing Crossover SUVs
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 4 min read
The Kia Telluride and the Volkswagen Atlas have both become popular
new cars
in 2021—and for a good reason! Three-row sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are perfect for families because they provide tons of space and storage and are very reliable. Not only that, but these two cars specifically both have a sleek style, impressive interior features, and high safety ratings.
If you’re thinking of purchasing one of these SUVs, there isn’t a bad choice. But, there is a right choice for you and your family. Let’s go over the similarities and differences between these two cars, so you can make the buying decision that’s best for you!
Telluride vs. Atlas: Exterior features
The Volkswagen Atlas looks similar to many other Volkswagen designs, but that’s not a bad thing. While maybe a little boring to look at, the Atlas features clean lines, a wide hood, and an overall simple design that has stood the test of time.
On the other hand, the Kia Telluride looks completely different than most other Kia models.
The Car Connection
describes the exterior of the Telluride as “angular, with more masculine lines, and a hint of last generation GMC Yukon in the front end with those upright headlights.”Both cars feature V-6 engines, so they carry similar power. The Telluride comes out just a bit on top in this category, with a 3.8-liter, 291 hp engine compared to the Atlas’ 3.6-liter engine that carries 276 hp. But, at the end of the day, both cars will feel similar when you’re driving them. Plus, both of these cars are equipped to tow up to 5,000 pounds, and have 18-inch alloy wheels, making them both great options for family adventures.
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Interior features
The Telluride wins out against the Atlas again in terms of inside space, as it can seat up to eight passengers compared to the Atlas’ seven passengers. This is because the second row can be either captain’s chairs or a bench and the third row seats three.
In the Atlas, the third row only seats two, with the option for the middle row to be captain’s chairs or a three-person bench. This does mean that there’s more legroom in the Atlas (33 inches) compared to the Telluride (31 inches).
Inside the Atlas, cloth seats are the standard with options to upgrade to synthetic or real leather. The Telluride comes with synthetic leather, with the option to upgrade to real. In this case, the better choice is completely dependent on your style preferences.
Both the Telluride and the Atlas feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for their navigation systems. The Telluride has a slightly bigger digital touch screen than the Atlas at the base model (8 inches compared to 6.5 inches).
Telluride vs. Atlas: Safety
The good news in this category is that both the Telluride and Atlas come with automatic emergency brakes and blind spot monitors. The Telluride upgrades its safety experience by adding adaptive cruise control and active lane control on all models, while they’re optional on the Atlas.
The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with their SX and EX models. This is the second highest safety rating the IIHS gives out. The Atlas did not win any safety awards.
Price
These two cars also fall in the same base price category, with the Telluride starting at about $32,700 and the Atlas at around $33,000. You can upgrade both base models to all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000.
At the highest end models, the Atlas becomes a bit more pricey. The Atlas SEL with the optional premium package will run you $50,000, while the top-tier Telluride SX costs $43,000.
With pricing, and with all other features of these cars, do what you’re most comfortable with. At the end of the day, both of these cars are solid options that are great for families.
After comparing the Telluride vs. Atlas, its apparent either model is built to be reliable. Regardless of what you drive, make sure you have the future covered with optimized insurance coverage. The auto insurance experts at
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