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2021 Kia Mohave driving through a city

The Kia Mohave is the Telluride’s Cooler Cousin

The Kia Telluride is a great SUV option that’s new in America. However, the Kia Mohave is a midsize SUV that’s been around in Korea for a while. The 2021 Kia Mohave just received significant updates that make us wish it was in the United States.  What is the 2021 Kia Mohave?  Respect your elders. …

The Kia Telluride is a great SUV option that’s new in America. However, the Kia Mohave is a midsize SUV that’s been around in Korea for a while. The 2021 Kia Mohave just received significant updates that make us wish it was in the United States. 

What is the 2021 Kia Mohave? 

Respect your elders. The Kia Mohave has been a flagship SUV for years until the new Kia Telluride made its debut. The Telluride replaced the ladder-frame Mohave in most markets worldwide, but it just got a facelift in South Korea and the Middle East, where it’s still available. 

The 2021 Kia Mohave is an updated body-on-frame SUV that’s similar to the Telluride. Along with a facelift, it just got a little smarter too. It gained a semi-autonomous driving system, which helps drivers on the highway and in congested traffic. 

2021 Kia Mohave driving through a city
2021 Kia Mohave | Kia

According to Car Scoops, the Mohave also gained a smart navigation-based cruise control system that adjusts the speed upon entering and exiting the highway.

The Telluride has a system that uses GPS and navigation data to adjust your cruise control speed to match changing speed limits too. Both of these SUVs have forward collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking too. 

How capable is the Kia Mohave? 

Some people will be jealous about the fact that the 2021 Kia Mohave has a diesel engine. The 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine pumps out 256 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. It meets the Euro 6 RDE emissions standard. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. 

The Kia Telluride has a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s also paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 5,000 lb, and it can be equipped with AWD. 

The Kia Telluride gets an EPA estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which is fine. It’s not the best. The Mohave may have a slightly better fuel economy, but it was difficult to find an official report. 

Those who have driven the Mohave say that the seats feel a little smaller than the Tellurides’. But the Mohave has a smooth ride, quick acceleration, and a quiet interior. It’s a sporty SUV that makes for a fun daily driver. 

How is the Kia Mohave interior? 

The 2021 Kia Mohave is pretty unique because you can get it with five, six, or seven seats. Having only five seats expands the amount of cargo space available. The Telluride can be configured with seven or eight seats. 

You can choose between three different Mohave trim levels, and it begins at about $44,525. The Telluride starts at around $31,190. The Mohave could have a more luxurious interior, but the higher Telluride trims also have plush-looking leather seats. 

2021 Kia Mohave interior
2021 Kia Mohave interior | Kia

The Mohave has a 10-inch head-up display. Plus, the smart posture control automatically adjusts the mirrors and seat, and steering wheel based on the driver’s height. Also, a wireless phone charger is standard! 

There hasn’t been any information that suggests the 2021 Kia Mohave will come to America. But it is the predecessor to the Kia Telluride, and they share a few parts. Maybe the Telluride will get the diesel engine and smart posture control.

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