2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape presented a departure from its earlier, more rugged design, embracing a European-inspired aesthetic. This model featured a refreshed front end with a traditional grille and a stylish LED light bar, giving it a more upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Despite its sleek design, the Escape was not intended for off-road adventures but still managed to look appealing with its 19-inch wheels and body-colour accents. Inside, the ST-Line Elite trim showcased diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting, but the seats were comfortable and supportive, making the Escape a pleasant vehicle for long drives.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Telluride offered a more rugged and versatile design, especially in the X-Line and X-Pro trims, which added off-road capabilities and distinctive styling elements. The Telluride's exterior was enhanced by the Wolf Gray paint and blacked-out accents, maintaining its attractive proportions. Inside, the Telluride boasted premium Nappa leather seats, a dual sunroof, and a range of thoughtful details like a digital instrumentation panel that changed with the time of day. The interior was spacious, with generous cargo capacity and practical features like a hands-free power liftgate. The Telluride's design and features nearly reached luxury SUV standards, making it a compelling choice for those seeking both style and functionality.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a choice of two engines, starting with a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, providing competitive performance within its segment. For those seeking more power, the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. While the Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable for everyday driving, it lacked the performance tuning of a genuine performance crossover. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2024 Kia Telluride, on the other hand, was equipped with a robust 3.8-litre V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the option of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Telluride excelled in towing capacity, with most models capable of towing 2,268 kilograms, while the X-Pro trim increased this to 2,495 kilograms. The Telluride's driving experience was refined, with responsive steering and brakes that resisted rumble and fade. It offered a range of driving modes, including a Snow mode, and featured a self-levelling rear suspension in certain trims. While the Telluride's fuel economy was less impressive, its overall performance and capability made it a strong contender in its class.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable driving experience with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The interior featured a head-up display and well-positioned armrests, enhancing driver comfort. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space compared to its segment leaders, offering up to 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom in the back, but rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Telluride excelled in interior space and comfort. The test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a dual sunroof, creating a luxurious atmosphere. The Telluride's controls were user-friendly, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and physical buttons. Thoughtful details, such as a digital instrumentation panel and generous storage space, added to its appeal. The Telluride offered ample cargo capacity, with 594 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,463 litres, making it ideal for family road trips. The hands-free power liftgate and useful roof rails further enhanced its practicality.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an intuitive interface and a large 13.2-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system offered easy navigation between applications, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and included a wi-fi hotspot. While Sync 4 was generally user-friendly, it occasionally lagged in response, and the volume knob's placement was less convenient. The Escape's audio options included a standard six-speaker system and an optional Bang & Olufsen system for enhanced sound quality.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a range of features. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection, the system's Bluetooth pairing was seamless. Kia Connect provided a trial subscription with various plans available after expiration. The Telluride included standard satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Thoughtful features like a blue-light filter, Quiet Mode, and a digital key function added to its appeal. The Telluride also offered advanced tech options, including a camera-based rearview mirror and a 10-inch head-up display.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, it did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Kia Telluride boasted an impressive array of standard safety features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Advanced Highway Driving Assist system offered semi-autonomous capabilities, with features like automatic lane changing. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. While the lane-keeping system was less enjoyable without Highway Driving Assist, the Telluride's safety features provided comprehensive protection.