2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Kia Telluride

The 2023 Kia Sportage emerged with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic, reminiscent of French automotive styling. Its distinctive features, such as the boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, added a touch of class to this compact crossover. The Sportage was available in five trim levels in Canada, starting with the LX trim, which offered front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. Inside, Kia opted for synthetic leather upholstery, which, while durable, lacked the luxurious feel of genuine leather. The cabin featured a large display dominating the dash in higher trims, though some interior elements, like the hard plastic plate near the door handle, were less appealing.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Telluride boasted fresh front and rear styling, updated lighting, and new wheel designs. The X-Line and X-Pro models added a rugged appeal with raised suspensions and unique design elements. Inside, the Telluride offered a spacious and comfortable environment with premium Nappa leather upholstery and a new digital instrumentation panel. The SUV's interior updates included new colours, minor trim changes, and a more functional centre console. The Telluride was available in several trims in Canada, starting with the EX trim, which included all-wheel drive as standard. The X-Pro trim, with its off-road enhancements, topped the lineup.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While this engine offered slightly more power than its predecessor, it lacked the punch of the previous turbocharged option. The Sportage's fuel economy was respectable, with figures of 9.3 L/100 km in the city and 7.4 on the highway for front-wheel drive models. The all-wheel drive versions had slightly higher consumption rates. The Sportage's off-road capabilities were adequate for typical crossover buyers, with 21 centimetres of ground clearance on AWD models.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, also mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting. The Telluride's fuel economy was competitive, averaging 9.8 L/100 km in the X-Line model. The X-Pro model, with its off-road enhancements, was slightly less efficient. The Telluride's off-road capabilities were enhanced with a raised suspension, improved approach and departure angles, and a new Downhill Brake Control system. The X-Pro model also offered increased towing capacity and a self-levelling rear air suspension.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered increased dimensions compared to its predecessor, providing more interior space. Rear-seat legroom was impressive at 1,050 mm, and the trunk offered 1,121 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,098 litres with the rear seats folded. The Sportage's front seats provided decent storage options, but the touch-sensitive HVAC controls were frustrating to use.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. The interior featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain's chairs. The Telluride offered ample storage space and a "smart" power tailgate with proximity-sensing. 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 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system in higher trims, paired with a digital instrument cluster in the X-Line Limited. While the system was visually impressive, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in higher trims was puzzling. The Sportage offered Bluetooth, keyless entry, and a wireless charger in trims above the LX. A Harman Kardon audio system was standard on the X-Line Limited.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia Connect services. The system supported over-the-air updates and simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The Telluride also featured Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system from the SX grade. New digital-key technology and a Full Display rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a backup camera. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and highway driving assist. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Kia Telluride boasted an extensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The SUV also offered advanced systems like adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction and Highway Drive Assist 1.5. The Telluride received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were unavailable.