2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The HR-V we tested was in a dusky, oceanic grey-green called Nordic Forest Pearl, one of two new colours. Inside, the HR-V's interior followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, featuring a metal honeycomb grille that concealed the vents, touch-sensitive reading and map lights, and a sculptural centre console. The EX-L trim we drove boasted perforated leather seats with additional shoulder support, although the eight-way power driver's seat was unavailable in Canada due to supply shortages.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Telluride received fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The X-Line and X-Pro models we tested in Texas showcased these updates, with the X-Line featuring a unique grille design, raised roof rails, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro took it further with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Telluride's updates were more subtle, with a new digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The interior changes included new colours, minor trim updates, and a redesigned steering wheel. The Telluride's cabin was spacious and comfortable, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain's chairs.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This marked an improvement of 17 hp and 11 lb-ft over the 2022 model. The updated continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured a Step-Shift function to mimic the auditory cues of a traditional automatic transmission during acceleration. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available by pulling the shifter back a notch. The HR-V's new front and fully independent rear suspensions, along with widened tracks, made it surprisingly fun to drive on mountain roads, although it was not overpowered. The HR-V's competitors, such as the Kia Seltos, Ford Bronco Sport, and Subaru Crosstrek, offered multiple powertrain options, including turbocharged engines.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 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 the AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting for even power distribution. The Telluride's V6 provided ample power, and during our test drive, we averaged 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the X-Line. The X-Pro, which included off-roading, returned 11.5 L/100 km. The Telluride's suspension was raised by 10 mm, improving ground clearance and off-road performance. The X-Pro model featured 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and an improved cooling system, increasing towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. The Telluride excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing its AWD Lock mode, ground clearance, and stability.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior despite its compact size. The centre console featured a shelf for drive modes, parking brake, and hill-descent control, with two USB ports for convenience. The HR-V's fastback design sacrificed a centimetre of rear-seat headroom, with front headroom measuring 1,002 millimetres (976 mm with the moonroof) and rear headroom at 965.3 mm (964 mm with the moonroof). Cargo space was 691 litres with the rear seats up and 1,559 litres with them folded. The HR-V's passenger volume was 2,794 litres for LX and Sport trims and 2,775 litres for EX-L. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split and a nearly flat floor when folded.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. Our test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain's chairs. The Telluride's interior was spacious, with a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second row offered comfort with manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. A button on the second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third-row seating area, which was more comfortable than many midsize SUVs. The Telluride's cargo space was generous, with 601 litres behind the third row, 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and 2,455 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system, with power and volume controlled by a physical knob. The EX-L trim offered additional buttons for Home, Back, and Seek functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across the lineup, with wireless versions available on the EX-L trim. All HR-Vs included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch colour touchscreen display, while the EX-L featured a 9-inch infotainment display with a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. The HR-V also offered three USB-A ports, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, remote start, and varying audio systems depending on the trim.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The system supported over-the-air updates and Bluetooth pairing for two devices simultaneously. The Telluride featured Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. New digital-key technology allowed smartphones or smartwatches to function as the vehicle's key. The Telluride also offered a Full Display rear-view mirror, an optional head-up display, and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2023 Honda HR-V included the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard on all trims. This suite featured adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Additional features included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, automatic high-beams, and a blind-spot information system with rear cross-traffic alert. The HR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered an extensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning system, and automatic emergency braking. The Telluride also included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. An adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go capability and Highway Drive Assist 1.5 were standard. The Telluride received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.