2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Kia Telluride

The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models 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 a vibrant touch, while the interior offered new hues 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 boasted exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Telluride introduced a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both housed under a curved 24-inch glass piece, enhancing the SUV's modern appeal. Minor interior changes included new colours, trim updates, and a redesigned steering wheel, with embossed trim names on the front seatbacks of the X-Line and X-Pro models.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh, incorporating new lighting elements and light-up VW logos, similar to the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated white, while the rear logo shone red, complemented by a front light bar connecting to the new LED headlights. These updates gave the Atlas a more Americanized appearance, with taillights blending into a full-width light bar. The Atlas offered new wheel designs across all trim levels, with the Comfortline base model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, the Highline with 20-inch wheels, and the Execline with 21-inch wheels. The new Peak Edition added an outdoorsy flavour with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and model-specific colours like Avocado Green and Pure Grey. Inside, the Atlas featured a revised centre cabin design, with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a reduced shifter, creating more functional space. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with improved trim options and available leather upholstery with contrast stitching.

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, including off-roading. The suspension was raised by 10 mm, improving ground clearance to 21.3 mm, and the traction control system was modified for better off-road performance. The X-Pro model enhanced towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms with an improved cooling system and offered a self-levelling rear air suspension. The Telluride excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing its AWD Lock mode, all-terrain tires, and Downhill Brake Control system. On highways, it provided a smooth ride, though the steering in Sport mode felt overly firm.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas transitioned to a single powertrain option, a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, part of VW's EA888 series, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Atlas claimed quicker acceleration than the previous six-cylinder model, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 8.5 seconds. While the driving experience focused on comfort and efficiency, the engine provided smooth power delivery, albeit with noticeable noise. The ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh model, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. The 4Motion AWD system, designed for pavement, lacked low range and underbody protection for serious off-roading. The Atlas maintained a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, standard in Canada.

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 provided ample space, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second row featured manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets, while a button on the captain’s chairs facilitated access to the third row. Although the third-row seat was more comfortable than some competitors, it couldn't match the Volkswagen Atlas for leg support. The Telluride boasted generous storage space, with a smart power tailgate and an automatic closing function. Cargo volume measured 601 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,455 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas came with more standard features, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a power liftgate. It offered seating for seven with a three-seat second-row bench, which could be replaced by captain's chairs on higher trims, reducing capacity to six. The Atlas provided competitive headroom and legroom across all rows, with the best third-row legroom in its class. Cargo space varied from 583 litres with all seats in place to 1,571 litres with the third row stowed, and a maximum of 2,735 litres with both rear rows folded. The Atlas excelled in cargo capacity compared to most rivals, except the Chevy Traverse.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, 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 dual-device pairing. The Telluride included six USB ports, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode, along with a wireless phone charger and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Digital-key technology allowed smartphone or smartwatch use as a key, and a Full Display rear-view mirror provided a video view of the rear. An optional head-up display offered a larger viewing area, and the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system notified drivers when traffic moved.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas introduced more standard tech features, including a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It retained six USB-C ports, with up to eight available, and a head-up display was standard on Execline. The Atlas upgraded to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a map view in the digital instrument cluster, though haptic touchpads for controls lacked feedback.

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. It 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 could reduce speed based on navigation data, and Highway Drive Assist provided semi-autonomous driving assistance. Advanced Highway Drive Assist added Lane Change Assist, and SX trim or higher included additional collision avoidance features. The Telluride received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist for highway driving. Execline added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Atlas also featured automatic post-collision braking and an emergency assist system.