Not all drivers need room for eight passengers, but the options are limited if you do. Kelley Blue Book compared the 2021 Kia Telluride and the 2021 Subaru Ascent, both of which have room for eight. How did these two SUVs compare? Both the Kia and the Subaru do a lot of things right.

Kelley Blue Book on the 2021 Kia Telluride

Kelley Blue Book likes the 2021 Kia Telluride, as does everyone else. Some of the noted positives about the Kia SUV include the many awards it has won and the value it offers. KBB gave the Kia Telluride the Best Buy Award and noted that that the variety of trim levels and options make the Telluride customizable for anyone.

If buyers don’t want eight seats, the second row can be ordered with a set of captain’s chairs instead of a three-row bench seat. The design of the SUV is modern and offers a lot of the newest technology. The interior is spacious, and the list of safety features is long.

What are some of the drawbacks noted by Kelley Blue Book? The 2021 model does not offer a Wi-Fi hotspot like some similar vehicles. The glove box is also small, which is a humorously minute detail.

The consensus offered was that the 2021 Kia Telluride is packed with technology and safety features that make it a good value. “The Kia Telluride basically gets everything right, according to our expert reviewers,” KBB said. The brand says to pick the Telluride if you want a stylish SUV with a solid warranty.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent gets it right, according to Kelley Blue Book

Kelley Blue Book was quick to mention that the 2021 Subaru Ascent can go off-road and has tons of safety features. Plus, all-wheel drive is an option buyers don’t have to pay for. This makes the Ascent a good choice for families who might camp or spend time outdoors.

When it came to the drawbacks, the single four-cylinder powertrain option was noted. It was also said that the turbo engine wasn’t really as smooth as it could be. The power steering was described as “light.”

When it came down to it, the 2021 Subaru Ascent didn’t miss the mark. It combines the Subaru brand reliability with a three-row SUV offering, enticing a whole new group of buyers. Though the engine offerings weren’t great, KBB called it “spunky and economical.”

“The Eyesight Safety suite includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure and sway warning, and a head-up display warning. Upgrades include blind-spot monitoring, reverse automatic braking, rear cross-traffic assist, and a front-view monitor.”

Kelley Blue Book

Add to that the high ground clearance and all-wheel drive, and you have quite an adventurous SUV. KBB says to choose the Ascent if the all-wheel drive feature is important to your future activities. With all of the safety features that come standard, this is a safe new SUV.

The two SUVs are evenly matched

When it came down to it, both the Kia SUV and Subaru SUV have the right features for most drivers. Some people might not benefit from all-wheel drive should off-roading or weather not be an option. Others might find the Telluride just too big overall, with the trim levels out of budget for some features.

The Kia warranty is five years, 60,000 miles. The powertrain warranty is 10 years, 100,000-miles. Under Kia’s Warranty program, the Telluride has five years, 60k miles of bumper to bumper coverage with roadside assistance. For the Subaru, it is three years, 36,000-miles. The powertrain warranty is five years, 60,000 miles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave both vehicles a five-star safety rating. Additionally, both SUVs have a 23 mpg combined fuel economy.

The good news is that if you pick the 2021 Kia Telluride or the 2021 Subaru Ascent, both SUVs will serve you well. With the included safety features and warranties, buyers can be sure the Kia and Subaru vehicles will be around to go on adventures for many years to come.