2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Kia Telluride

The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models, which were sampled in Texas, showcased a refreshed design with updated front and rear styling, new headlights and taillights, and fresh wheel designs. The new paint colours, including Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, added to its appeal, while the interior offered new colour options like Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line model replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a raised suspension, unique grille design, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro model further enhanced its off-road capabilities with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Telluride boasted a modern digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, providing a futuristic feel. The interior changes were subtle, with new colours, minor trim updates, and a redesigned steering wheel, enhancing functionality. The X-Line and X-Pro trims featured embossed trim names on the front seatbacks, adding a touch of exclusivity. In Canada, the Telluride was available in various trims, with prices starting at $50,195 for the EX and reaching $62,795 for the X-Pro, excluding destination charges.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as futuristic as some competitors, presented an attractive crossover design with a restrained bodywork and a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller. The gold Bowtie emblem, though garish on some paint colours, looked appealing on options like Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was offered in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with AWD available on all trims in Canada. The Equinox's design language shared similarities with the larger Chevrolet Traverse, and its compact profile gave an impression of spaciousness. Inside, the Equinox Premier featured two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel on higher trims. Despite a somewhat dated interior with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, the Equinox remained practical and user-friendly. The six-speed automatic transmission, though older, contributed to the Equinox's straightforward driving experience. The Confidence and Convenience II package added desirable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and an HD surround-view camera, enhancing the overall appeal.

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. It offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting for power distribution. The Telluride X-Line averaged 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, while the X-Pro returned 11.5 L/100 km, reflecting its off-road capabilities. 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. On highways, it offered a smooth ride with minimal wind noise, though the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishier in turns.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled with higher speeds, taking about eight seconds to reach highway speed. The six-speed automatic transmission, though older, contributed to the Equinox's powertrain noise. AWD was available on all trims, requiring manual engagement via a button. The Equinox's braking system was upgraded to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth and predictable braking. The suspension handled bumps well, and the steering was tight and accurate, making the Equinox enjoyable to drive in most situations.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The interior was spacious, with comfortable seating and a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second row featured manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. The third-row seating was more comfortable than many competitors, though not as spacious as the Volkswagen Atlas. The Telluride provided ample storage space, with a smart power tailgate and generous cargo capacity, offering 601 litres behind the third row and up to 2,455 litres with both rear rows folded.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not boasting the largest trunk, offered 847 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, surpassing some competitors. With the rear seats folded, it provided 1,809 litres of cargo space. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, cup holders for every passenger, and a power liftgate on the Premier trim. A panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services. The system offered over-the-air updates and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. Driver Talk and Quiet Mode were standard, allowing communication with rear passengers and muting rear speakers. A wireless phone charger and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system were standard in Canada. The Telluride also offered digital-key technology and a Full Display rear-view mirror. An optional head-up display provided additional information, and the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a smaller touchscreen, with 7 inches on lower trims and 8 inches on the Premier. Despite its simplicity, the system was easy to use, with good voice recognition and customizable icons. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, while all trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The upgraded driver-information display provided useful features, and a Bose audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and automatic emergency braking. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist. Advanced features like adaptive cruise control, Highway Drive Assist, and collision avoidance systems were available on higher trims. The Telluride received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keeping assistance. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on most trims. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in some IIHS crash tests.