2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh. Its styling was characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, with the cabin positioned towards the rear wheels, embodying the subtle allure that Mazda vehicles have been known for over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a rugged aesthetic with its pronounced fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates, which were common among crossovers mimicking SUVs. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually jarring. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels, these elements created an appealing exterior. Later in the year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition was introduced, featuring exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform designed to support a rooftop tent.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Telluride was offered in three core trims—EX, SX, and SX Limited—alongside the more rugged X-Line and X-Pro trims, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive. The X-Line trim added a centimetre of ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, and a tow mode, along with a unique grille and blacked-out wheel designs. The X-Pro trim further enhanced off-road capabilities with 18-inch matte-black wheels, all-terrain tires, and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. The Telluride's design updates from the previous year maintained its attractive proportions, and the Wolf Gray paint on the X-Line trim complemented the blacked-out styling. Inside, the test vehicle featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other colour options like Mahogany brown and Terracotta brown were available, enhancing the cabin's appeal.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The base GT model featured a 187-horsepower Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 186 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided fuel consumption figures of 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. For those seeking more power, the GT Turbo trim came with a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing between 227 and 256 horsepower, depending on the fuel type. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm on regular gas to 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm on premium fuel. The turbocharged engine offered smooth acceleration and a broad power curve, with minimal turbo lag. The CX-50's Mi-Drive system included Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, working with G-Vectoring Control to ensure consistent vehicle behaviour. The CX-50's ride quality was slightly firmer than the CX-5, and it demonstrated some torque steer during tight turns. With a ground clearance of up to 21.8 centimetres, the CX-50 was capable of light off-roading, though it lacked a downhill assist control system.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, generating 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Most Tellurides could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, but the X-Pro trim increased this capacity to 2,495 kilograms with heavy-duty engine cooling. The Telluride featured a locking centre differential and a Snow driving mode, alongside Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. Standard ground clearance was 20.3 centimetres, rising to 21.3 centimetres with the X-Line and X-Pro trims. The Telluride offered easy highway acceleration and good passing power, though it was not particularly fuel-efficient, averaging 12.4 L/100 km on a mountainous evaluation loop. The Telluride's ride was firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, effectively absorbing road undulations. Off-road, the Telluride was more capable than expected, handling various terrains with ease.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo was well-equipped for winter with heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control provided comfort in warmer weather. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though additional side bolstering would have been beneficial. The rear seat offered ample space for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports available on most trims. The CX-50's storage space was adequate, though some opportunities for additional storage were missed. The power rear liftgate revealed 889 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,595 litres with the rear seats folded, though the load floor was narrow between the wheel wells.

The 2024 Kia Telluride's interior was comfortable, especially in higher trims with premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat accommodated adults, and a dual sunroof added light to the cabin. The Telluride's controls were oriented horizontally, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use. Storage space was generous, with a covered cubby forward of the shifter and ample room in the door panel bins. The hands-free power liftgate was standard, offering 594 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,463 litres with all seats folded. The X-Line and X-Pro trims provided useful roof rails for additional cargo capacity.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the system's lack of touchscreen control for native functions was a drawback, requiring the use of centre console buttons, steering wheel controls, or voice recognition. Touchscreen control was available for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the display was positioned far from the driver. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system delivered satisfying audio quality. An Active Driving Display, or head-up display, projected useful data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. A Kia Connect trial subscription was included for three years, offering various plans for remote vehicle functions and enhanced navigation. Standard features included satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Telluride also offered a blue-light filter for the infotainment display, a Quiet Mode for playing music only through the front speakers, and a digital key function. A camera-based rearview mirror and a 10-inch head-up display were available, providing clear views and helpful warnings.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to some headlight configurations and less-than-stellar results in night-time pedestrian collision avoidance. The NHTSA had not rated the CX-50 at the time of writing. Mazda provided a comprehensive standard package of driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. Safety feature upgrades varied by trim level, with options like front parking sensors, junction cross-traffic alert, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor system. The Advanced Highway Driving Assist added automatic lane changing, though it performed best on open highways. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.