Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Kia Telluride

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a traditional design featuring a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling. It also boasted 20-inch wheels as standard, with 22-inch options available, and an acrylic glass covering on the wheel centre caps to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The interior mirrored the Wagoneer’s style but elevated it with high-end materials and features like 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional Palermo leather, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models showcased refreshed front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The Telluride introduced new paint colours such as Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, alongside interior colours like Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a raised suspension, unique grille design, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro added exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Telluride offered a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch glass piece, enhancing its modern appeal. The interior updates included new colours, minor trim changes, and a more functional centre console.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty 2,900-kilogram weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a Quadra-Lift air suspension system for adjustable ride height. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, it could tackle various terrains, although its size limited its off-road capabilities. The ride was smooth and quiet, but at higher speeds, it felt bouncy and ungainly, with imprecise steering.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting. The Telluride X-Line averaged 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, while the X-Pro, with its off-road capabilities, returned 11.5 L/100 km. The Telluride’s suspension was raised by 10 mm, improving ground clearance and off-road performance. It also featured a Downhill Brake Control system and an improved cooling system, increasing towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. The Telluride excelled on highways, offering a smooth ride and quiet cabin, although the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishier in turns.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Cargo space was generous, with 775 litres behind the third row and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed, although it fell short of rivals when all rear seats were folded. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. It featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system to aid visibility.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were heated and ventilated, and the third-row seat offered more comfort than many midsize SUVs. The Telluride provided ample storage space, with a “smart” power tailgate for easy loading. Cargo space was 601 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,304 litres with the third row down, and a maximum of 2,455 litres with both rear rows folded. The Telluride’s interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with features like manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and overhead climate controls for rear-seat passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices and offered a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, provided over-the-air updates, although the screen response was occasionally slow.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia Connect services. It supported over-the-air updates and simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The Telluride featured 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 the vehicle’s key. The Telluride also offered a Full Display rear-view mirror and an optional head-up display with a larger viewing area, providing additional driving information.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered an extensive list 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, lane-departure warning, and lane-centring assist. The adaptive cruise control system could reduce speed based on navigation data, and the Highway Drive Assist 1.5 provided semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Telluride was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, although NHTSA ratings were unavailable.