2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's more adventurous models. While it maintained an attractive appearance, it didn't stand out as much as other vehicles in the brand's lineup. The SUV continued with the same design as the 2022 model, available in four trim levels in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The U.S.-spec Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in Stormy Sea paint, showcased a distinctive wide grille and thin LED headlights, but the overall look was more subdued. Inside, the black leather interior of the Calligraphy trim was high-quality but somewhat monotone, with Nappa leather seats providing comfort and style. The cabin offered heated and cooled front seats, with heated second-row seats, making it a comfortable choice for varying weather conditions.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Telluride offered a more rugged and stylish appearance, especially in the X-Line and X-Pro trims. The X-Line trim added ground clearance and unique styling elements, while the X-Pro trim enhanced off-road capabilities. The Telluride's design updates maintained its attractive proportions, with the Wolf Gray paint complementing the blacked-out X-Line styling. Inside, the test vehicle featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other colour options like Mahogany brown and Sage Green were available. The cabin included thoughtful details like a dual sunroof, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a digital instrumentation panel with scenic landscape views. The Telluride's interior was spacious and comfortable, with a third-row seat suitable for adults and generous cargo space.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and passing power, especially in Sport mode. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, and the dual-clutch transmission performed without clunkiness. The turbocharged Santa Fe could tow up to 1,587 kg, while the non-turbo version had a towing capacity of 907 kg.

The 2024 Kia Telluride, powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered a smooth and refined driving experience, with good acceleration and passing power. The Telluride's towing capacity was 2,268 kg, with the X-Pro trim increasing it to 2,495 kg. The SUV featured a locking centre differential and multiple drive modes, including Snow mode, enhancing its versatility. The Telluride's ride was firm at lower speeds but softened at higher velocities, providing a comfortable experience on winding roads. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 12.4 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spaciousness and comfort with its two-row configuration, offering 1,060 millimetres of rear-seat legroom and 1,032 litres of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded the cargo capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added luxury features like a head-up display, ambient lighting, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. However, the wide centre console limited driver leg space, and the driver's seat height adjustment could be problematic for some.

The 2024 Kia Telluride provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat accommodated adults, and the dual sunroof added light to the cabin. The Telluride's controls were user-friendly, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and physical buttons. The SUV offered generous storage space, including a hands-free power liftgate and a maximum cargo capacity of 2,463 litres. The X-Line and X-Pro trims featured useful roof rails for additional storage.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the top trims. The infotainment system was customizable, though voice recognition had mixed results. The Santa Fe's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) included forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist, with Highway Driving Assist standard on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable. The SUV included a Kia Connect trial subscription, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Thoughtful features like a blue-light filter, Quiet Mode, and a digital key function enhanced the Telluride's technology offerings. The SUV also featured a camera-based rearview mirror and a 10-inch head-up display, providing clear visibility and helpful information.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The SUV received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness tests. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim's projector-type headlights were preferred over the lower trims' reflector-type units.

The 2024 Kia Telluride also offered an impressive array of standard safety features, such as collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The SUV's Advanced Highway Driving Assist added semi-autonomous capabilities, though it performed best in specific conditions. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, ensuring optimal protection in the event of a collision.