2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

In Canada, the 2023 Land Rover Defender significantly outsold the Land Rover Discovery, with a ratio of approximately eight to one. Despite being similar in size and price, the Defender's boxy design reminiscent of the old LR4 appealed more to customers than the Discovery's Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, embodying a classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender included features like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a full-size wheel and tire mounted on the hatch. The Defender offered a variety of accessory packages and was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130. Despite its high price, the Defender's interior focused on function and durability, with a mix of rubbers and plastics, exposed screws, and a basic design that maintained its hardcore character.

The 2023 Kia Telluride, during its time in Texas, showcased its new X-Line and X-Pro models, featuring fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The Telluride introduced new paint colours and interior options, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, offering a raised suspension, unique grille design, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro added exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Interior updates included a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, providing a modern touch. The Telluride's interior changes were subtle, focusing on new colours, minor trim adjustments, and improved functionality. 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 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, demonstrating impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle challenging terrains, although most owners likely used it for everyday driving. The Defender's permanent 4WD and Terrain Response 2 system enhanced its off-road capabilities, but its on-road performance was less refined. The Defender's drivetrain friction and body drag affected its speed, and it exhibited excessive body roll, slow steering, and wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the four-cylinder engine was less powerful. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 being the least efficient.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-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 V6 provided ample power, and the Telluride achieved an average fuel consumption of 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the X-Line. The X-Pro was slightly less efficient, returning 11.5 L/100 km. The Telluride's suspension was raised for improved off-road performance, and it featured a new Downhill Brake Control system. The X-Pro model, with its all-terrain tires and enhanced cooling system, increased towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. The Telluride performed well off-road and offered a smooth, quiet ride on highways, although the steering in Sport mode was firmer than desired.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility as an everyday SUV, with unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models offered additional seating options, including a third row. The Defender 130 accommodated up to eight passengers, with features like a separate moonroof, air vents, USB ports, and available heated seat cushions for the third row. The Defender's large glass areas provided excellent visibility, and its cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering up to 2,180 litres with seats folded. Buyers could equip their Defenders with various features, including off-road tires, a metal roof rack, a console refrigerator, and more.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. Test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The Telluride offered ample interior space, with comfortable seating and a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second row included manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. The third-row seat was more comfortable than many competitors, although it couldn't match the Volkswagen Atlas for leg support. The Telluride provided generous storage space and a "smart" power tailgate with proximity-sensing. Cargo space was ample, with 601 litres behind the third row and up to 2,455 litres with both rear rows folded.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen offered greater legibility. Both screens were quick and easy to operate, with standard features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and connected apps. The Defender included heated front seats, keyless entry, and heated power-folding mirrors. Higher trims offered additional features like air suspension, a locking rear differential, and a head-up display.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The system passed voice recognition tests but required manual climate control adjustments. 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. New digital-key technology allowed smartphones or smartwatches to function as keys. The Telluride also offered a Full Display rear-view mirror and an optional head-up display with a larger viewing area.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, praised for its solid structure. It included six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. However, the Defender lacked a self-steering highway assist.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered an extensive list 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, lane-departure warning, and lane-centring assist. The Telluride featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Drive Assist 1.5 for semi-autonomous driving. Advanced Highway Drive Assist added Lane Change Assist. The Telluride was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.