2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of design elements, sitting somewhere between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact size and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, albeit an ungainly one. The Premium Luxury and Sport models offered different exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome for a traditional look and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille for a sportier appearance. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, leaving little to remind occupants they were in a Cadillac.

The 2023 Kia Telluride, particularly in the X-Line and X-Pro models, showcased fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. New paint colours like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, along with interior colours such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green, added to its appeal. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a raised suspension, unique grille design, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro took it further with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Telluride boasted a modern digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch piece of glass, propelling the SUV into the future. Minor interior updates included new colours, trim changes, and a more functional centre console, with trim names embossed on the front seatbacks of the X-Line and X-Pro models.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6, available on the XT5 Sport and optional on the Premium Luxury, provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts from the transmission. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, offering a comfortable ride with excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without requiring constant corrections, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting for even power distribution. The Telluride X-Line averaged 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, while the X-Pro returned 11.5 L/100 km, including off-roading. Kia enhanced the Telluride’s off-road capabilities with a raised suspension, improved approach and departure angles, and a new Downhill Brake Control system. The X-Pro model, with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, increased towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. On highways, the Telluride offered a smooth ride, with some wind noise at higher speeds, and the steering firmed up in Sport mode.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but less than the BMW X3. It trailed all three in rear headroom but provided more legroom in both rows. The seats were comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. The XT5 boasted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC, but not the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen offered additional storage.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The interior was spacious, with a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second row featured manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets, while a button on the captain’s chairs facilitated access to the third row. The third-row seat was more comfortable than most midsize SUVs, though not as spacious as the Volkswagen Atlas. The Telluride offered ample storage space, a “smart” power tailgate, and generous cargo capacity, with 601 litres behind the third row, 1,304 litres with it folded, and 2,455 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available with the Technology Package. While usability improved over previous systems, the tech remained merely adequate compared to other luxury brands. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but secondary controls were cumbersome, and capacitive touchpads lacked feedback. An eight-speaker Bose sound system was standard, with an optional 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system offering excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and Kia Connect services. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate control adjustments required manual input. Over-the-air updates kept the system current, and Bluetooth supported pairing two devices simultaneously. The Telluride included Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Digital-key technology allowed smartphones or smartwatches to function as keys, and a Full Display rear-view mirror provided a video view of the rear. An optional head-up display offered a larger viewing area, and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system reminded drivers when traffic ahead moved.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The Safety Alert Seat vibrated when warnings were triggered. An optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking, while the Technology Package offered rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 received top “Good” scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, but only a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” LATCH rating.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning system, and automatic emergency braking. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Safe Exit Assist system warned occupants when it wasn’t safe to open doors. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Drive Assist 1.5 provided semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were unavailable at the time of review.