2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels in Canada, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD): EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky Edition. The base pricing ranged from $46,195 to $55,695, excluding a destination charge of $1,895. The Telluride did not offer a front-wheel drive (FWD) option. The Telluride EX was noted for its value, but many opted for the SX Limited trim, which offered a luxurious feel with features like premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display (HUD), and heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition introduced a blacked-out aesthetic with gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a unique grille insert. The Telluride's styling was widely praised, with its exterior and interior design receiving high marks for quality and execution. However, the interior was limited to black unless one opted for the SX Limited trim, which offered light grey leather.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a bold front styling with the "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept, presenting a balanced and appealing design. In Canada, it was available in ES, SE, LE, LE Premium, SEL, GT, and GT Premium trims, with AWD standard across all trims. Prices ranged from $31,998 to $42,178, with a destination charge of $1,900. The GT Premium trim offered luxurious touches like premium semi-aniline leather with quilting and contrast stitching, a head-up display, and a premium sound system. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black and aluminum accents. While some interior plastics reminded of its segment, Mitsubishi avoided using obviously inexpensive materials.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured Kia’s Drive Mode Select with Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. The AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, complemented by 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance. The Telluride excelled in various conditions, including snow and mud, and offered a smooth ride with minimal head-toss due to its suspension tuning. The SX Limited and Nightsky Edition trims included a self-leveling rear suspension for optimal ride and handling. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a test average of 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. It offered Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud driving modes. The Outlander felt most responsive in urban settings but lacked power for confident highway acceleration. The steering was vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, leading to a brittle ride on uneven surfaces. The Outlander returned 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the test route, slightly above the official rating of 8.9 L/100 km.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The front seats offered heating and ventilation, and the second-row captain’s chairs were heated and ventilated on Limited grades. The third-row seat was usable for adults, and the smart hands-free power liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area. The Telluride offered 601 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,455 litres with the second row down.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander offered roomy and comfortable front seats with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat on GT and GT Premium trims. The rear seat provided ample head and legroom, with sliding functionality for additional space. The third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children. Cargo capacity was 331 litres with the third row in use, 948 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 2,256 litres, reduced to 2,217 litres with the panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It allowed pairing of two smartphones via Bluetooth and included wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice-recognition system needed improvement. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, and Limited grades added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander stood out with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large HUD on GT Premium, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. Wireless smartphone charging was standard above the base model, and the GT Premium featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with eight standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim added front parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact results.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, offering smooth and accurate performance. It included forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating, though early models had Poor-rated headlights. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four-star frontal crash and rollover ratings.