2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented itself as an attractive crossover, even if it didn't boast the futuristic design of a Kia Sportage or the rugged appearance of a Toyota RAV4. Its restrained bodywork was complemented by a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller, offering a refreshing change from the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, while garish against some paint colors, looked appealing on others like Blue Glow Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with options for front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Its design language shared similarities with the larger Chevrolet Traverse, and its interior, especially in the Premier trim, featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Telluride was offered in five core trim levels, with the option to add the rugged X-Line and X-Pro packages. The Telluride's styling updates maintained its fundamentally attractive forms and proportions, with the Wolf Gray paint and blacked-out X-Line styling enhancing its appeal. Inside, the SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather seats and a dual sunroof, adding light to the otherwise dark interior. The controls were oriented horizontally, and the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system was user-friendly, though the metallic finish buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight. The Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with generous storage space and a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled to accelerate above 30 miles per hour. The Equinox's six-speed automatic transmission held gears longer than newer transmissions, contributing to its powertrain noise. The AWD system required manual engagement, but the electronically assisted brake-by-wire system and well-sorted suspension provided a smooth driving experience. The Equinox's steering was tight and accurate, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2024 Kia Telluride, on the other hand, featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which increased to 5,500 pounds with the X-Pro package. The AWD system included a locking center differential and various driving modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Telluride's ride was firm at lower speeds but compliant at higher velocities, and its steering was responsive. Despite its power, the Telluride was not fuel-efficient, averaging 17.5 mpg in city driving.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. While it didn't match the cargo space of some competitors, it provided ample passenger space, with good headroom and legroom. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, and the Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate.

The 2024 Kia Telluride provided a comfortable interior, especially in higher trims like the SX Prestige X-Line, which featured premium Nappa leather upholstery and heated and ventilated seats. The Telluride's cargo space was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87 cubic feet with all seats folded. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient, and the X-Line and X-Pro packages offered useful roof rails for additional storage.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology offering was simple yet effective. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to use, with good voice recognition software and customizable icons for quick access to features. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, and all trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The Kia Connect subscription offered various features, including remote engine starting and climate pre-conditioning. The Telluride also featured a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a digital key function, and a camera-based rearview mirror with excellent resolution.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included a suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. However, it lacked genuine level two autonomous driving technology and received mixed safety ratings, with a Poor rating in the IIHS’ moderate overlap front crash test.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional safety features, such as Highway Driving Assist 2.0, which provided semi-autonomous capabilities. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.