2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

During our time in Texas, we evaluated the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models, which featured refreshed front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The Telluride offered new paint colours like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, along with fresh interior colours such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line model replaced the Nightfall Edition, boasting a raised suspension, unique grille design, raised roof rails, body-colour door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro model took it further with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its mildly aggressive off-road appearance. Inside, the updates were subtle, with a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a curved 24-inch piece of glass, pushing the Telluride into a more modern era.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its Mustang styling cues applied to a five-door crossover SUV, initially surprised many but proved to be a smart move. Despite its long, narrow, and tall dimensions, the Mach-E's design, featuring galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, bold rear fender haunches, and tri-bar taillights, tied it visually to the legendary pony car. Since its debut in 2021, Ford built over 150,000 units, shipping them worldwide. The Mach-E came in Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT trim levels, with prices ranging from $56,995 to $92,745 in Canada. Our test vehicle, an American GT spec with Cyber Orange paint, carried an MSRP of $95,740. The GT trim offered a distinctive look with revised bumpers, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille, exuding style, quality, and technology.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its mechanical prowess with a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 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 power distribution. The V6 engine efficiently powered the Telluride, averaging 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the X-Line during a mix of highway and twisty roads. The X-Pro, with its off-roading capabilities, returned 11.5 L/100 km, including off-road driving. Kia enhanced the Telluride's off-road performance with a raised suspension, improved approach and departure angles, and a new Downhill Brake Control system. The X-Pro model, equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, increased towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. On highways, the Telluride offered a smooth ride, though the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishier in turns.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrains, with standard-range and extended-range battery packs and single-motor RWD or dual-motor AWD systems. Power output ranged from 266 to 480 horsepower, with torque between 317 and 634 pound-feet, and driving range from 360 to 502 kilometres. The Mach-E GT Performance Edition, with an extended-range battery and AWD, delivered 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. The driving range was estimated at 418 kilometres. The GT featured Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled driving modes, with an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for racetrack use. The Mach-E GT impressed with its speed and driving dynamics, though the steering lacked sharpness. The ride quality was firm, but Ford controlled body motions well. The Mach-E GT achieved 4.3 km per kWh, translating to 22.9 kWh per 100 km, more efficient than expected.

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 interior offered ample space, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second row provided 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 offered generous storage space, with a smart power tailgate and an automatic closing function. Cargo space was ample, 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 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV configuration, offered seating for up to five people and 965 litres of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk. The Mach-E GT Performance Edition featured performance seats with gray ActiveX and Miko upholstery, separated by a stylish tiered centre console with storage areas. The rear seat comfortably accommodated passengers, with wide-opening rear doors and a panoramic glass roof for an airy environment. The Mach-E provided 841 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 1,691 litres with the rear seats folded. The front trunk added 133 litres of cargo space, designed for easy cleaning with a drain plug.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate control adjustments required manual input. Over-the-air updates kept the system current, and Bluetooth supported pairing two devices simultaneously. The Telluride included Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Digital-key technology allowed smartphones or smartwatches to function as vehicle keys. The Full Display rear-view mirror and optional head-up display enhanced convenience, while the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system provided helpful reminders.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on Ford's Sync 4A platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, SiriusXM 360L, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. Sync 4A learned user habits and suggested destinations, while the touchscreen controlled climate settings and vehicle functions. The system was user-friendly, though a radio tuning knob and driving mode button would have been appreciated. The Bang & Olufsen premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality, and a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display provided essential data. Phone As A Key technology allowed smartphones to function as vehicle keys, offering convenience despite initial skepticism.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a new junction turning system. The SUV also included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go capability and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist enhanced driving convenience. Highway Drive Assist 1.5 provided semi-autonomous driving assistance, with Advanced Highway Drive Assist adding Lane Change Assist. The Telluride also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. The IIHS rated the Telluride as a Top Safety Pick+.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system was available, with version 1.2 adding lane-change and predictive speed assist functions. BlueCruise performed well on highways, though a head-up display would have improved usability. The IIHS rated the Mach-E as a Top Safety Pick, though NHTSA crash-test ratings were incomplete.