2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Acura RDX

The 2023 Acura RDX presented a sharp, angular style that was unique within its class, yet it maintained a conventional enough appearance to blend in with the crowd. The front of the vehicle was dominated by the signature Acura grille, which, after years of evolution, seemed to be showing its age and was perhaps in need of a refresh. The sleek wraparound headlights and deep creases in the bodywork and hood gave the nose a sporty and aggressive look. The side of the RDX was accentuated by a distinctive character line that slashed diagonally down the length of the vehicle, suggesting forward movement even when parked. The rear of the RDX was more conventional, resembling many other small SUVs in its overall styling.

Inside, the RDX took a different approach from many of its competitors by favoring a vertical dashboard layout. The center stack of controls flowed into the center console, dominated by gear-selector buttons and a drive-mode dial, emphasizing Acura's focus on performance. Above this section were physical climate controls and a 10.2-inch infotainment display atop the dash. The instrument panel featured a digital center display with analog gauges on either side, with white-faced gauges and red flourishes accentuating the RDX's sporting intent. While the interior wasn't as modern as some rivals with oversized touchscreens and fully digital panels, it offered a familiar feel for those averse to the new glass cockpits, though it might disappoint those seeking the newest, edgy design.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was available in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige, with the option to add the rugged X-Line treatment to all but the LX and S trims. The X-Pro package was reserved for the top two trims. The X-Line package equipped the Telluride with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with a center locking differential, nearly half an inch more ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package added 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the maximum towing capacity to 5,500 pounds.

The Telluride's styling updates from the previous year might not have appealed to everyone, but its fundamentally attractive forms and proportions remained intact. The Wolf Gray paint looked terrific with the blacked-out X-Line styling, which now included the formerly gray grille surround and bumper details. The interior of the SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather seats, a dual sunroof panel, and a range of appealing color options. The cabin was nearly luxurious, with soft leather, an artificial suede headliner, a 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, classy metallic accents, and thoughtful details. However, the shiny plastic covering the interior's lower portions was a downside, especially in the SX Prestige trim.

The 2023 Acura RDX was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), while Acura's "super-handling all-wheel drive" (SH-AWD) was available on all models and standard in the top trims. The RDX accelerated to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which was about average for SUVs in this class. The throttle response was immediate, and the turbo powertrain was more than adequate for most drivers. The engine and exhaust had a pleasing deeper tone and a sporty burble, and the transmission did an excellent job of selecting the correct gear to deliver power when needed. The brake pedal had a reassuring firmness and was easy to modulate for smooth stops. The RDX's handling inspired confidence, with well-managed body roll and an abundance of traction from the advanced AWD system. It cornered with enough prowess to be called sporty, yet ride comfort didn't suffer as a result. Road imperfections were smoothed over with ease, and even mid-corner bumps were shrugged off with barely an acknowledgment.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, transferred to the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Most Tellurides could tow 5,000 pounds, but the X-Pro package added heavy-duty engine cooling to increase that rating to 5,500 lbs. The AWD version included a locking center differential to split power evenly between the front and rear wheels at low speeds, along with a Snow driving mode in addition to the standard Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. The Telluride offered 8.0 inches of ground clearance in standard spec, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, and featured a self-leveling rear suspension. The Telluride accelerated easily to freeway speeds and offered good passing power, though it wasn't very fuel-efficient. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving for AWD versions, but real-world testing averaged 19 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop and 17.5 mpg during a week of city driving. Despite the lack of a hybrid drivetrain, the Telluride's driving experience was quick and refined, with standard brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control and responsive steering. The ride felt firm at lower speeds on city streets but soft and compliant at higher velocities, soaking up pavement undulations to prevent head-toss.

The 2023 Acura RDX offered plenty of space in the front seats for taller adults, with additional power adjustments for the side bolsters and thigh extension in the top trim levels. The cushioning was generous, providing comfort for long drives, and the heated and ventilated seats quickly adjusted to desired temperatures. The rear seats could accommodate average-sized adults, though six-footers might touch the headliner. There was ample legroom and space under the front seats for feet, and the large panoramic sunroof enhanced the cabin's open and airy feel. Behind the rear seats, the RDX offered up to 31.1 cubic feet of cargo space, larger than its competition by one or two cubic feet. A deep bin under the cargo floor featured a center drain plug, useful for stashing wet gear or as an impromptu cooler. Folding the rear seats expanded capacity to 79.8 cubic feet, with remote seatback levers in the cargo area for easy transformation. For smaller personal items, front passengers had options like two small cupholders, a narrow tray in a covered center console bin, a moderately sized bin under the armrest, and a large rubberized tray with a wireless charging pad. The door pockets were small, but overall storage was adequate. However, the center stack's gear selector buttons and drive mode dial took up unnecessary space, contrasting with Honda's efficient use of space.

The 2024 Kia Telluride provided comfort, especially in higher trim levels. The SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with a range of adjustments, including periodic lumbar massage, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and a third-row seat capable of transporting adults. A dual sunroof panel added light to the otherwise dark interior. Kia oriented the controls horizontally, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use, though physical controls were more prevalent. Metallic finish buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel were hard to read on sunny days, but the Telluride included thoughtful details like a digital instrumentation panel with a scenic landscape view that changed with the time of day. Storage space was generous, with a covered cubby forward of the shifter, a tray for a smartphone, and ample room in the door panel bins. A hands-free power liftgate with automatic closing was available, rising automatically when the key fob was nearby. Behind the third-row seat, the Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the seat folded down, and a maximum volume of 87 cubic feet. The X-Line and X-Pro offered useful roof rails for additional storage.

The 2023 Acura RDX featured a touchpad infotainment controller, which was a point of contention. While better than Lexus' previous attempt, it still required precise finger movements across the touchpad to select buttons, which was challenging when driving. The dashtop display was not a touchscreen and was out of reach. The experience improved with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, allowing for easier navigation with quick glances. Despite the interface challenges, the infotainment system had sharp graphics, quick responses, and logically arranged menus. The RDX came standard with a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote monitoring via the Acuralink smartphone app. Options included premium audio, with the top A-Spec Advanced trim featuring a 16-speaker ELS system with potent bass and clear high notes.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. A Kia Connect subscription was needed for conversational voice recognition. Despite forgetting the cable during testing, wireless Bluetooth pairing was easy, and streaming internet radio via smartphone was straightforward. The test vehicle's Kia Connect subscription was inactive, but past experiences showed it worked well. Four Kia Connect plans were available, with the Ultimate plan offering the most features for $199 annually. Highlights included a "find my car" function, programmable safe driver settings, remote engine starting, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The test vehicle had satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Thoughtful features included a blue-light filter for the infotainment display, Quiet Mode for playing music only through front speakers, and a function to deliver the driver's voice to rear occupants. Additional tech included a digital key function, a camera-based rearview mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. The Telluride also offered a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2023 Acura RDX received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard advanced safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. The Technology package added front and rear parking proximity sensors, while the Advance package included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The systems worked as advertised, with the adaptive cruise control praised for its smooth inputs, though the lane-keep assist was better suited for straight highways.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear occupant protection. Highway Driving Assist provided a semi-autonomous driving system with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. Safety feature upgrades varied by trim level, with options like front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor system. Highway Driving Assist 2.0 added automatic lane changing, working best on open roads and in stop-and-go traffic. The lane-change assist system was accurate, but the lane-keeping system was intrusive without Highway Driving Assist. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.