Kia Telluride vs. the Competition: The Best Family SUV in 2023

When it comes to midsize SUVs, the Kia Telluride has quickly become one of the most popular options for families. With its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and sleek styling, the Telluride combines practicality and flair. However, the Telluride faces stiff competition from long-time segment leaders like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, as well as newer rivals like the Hyundai Palisade. This blog post compares the Kia Telluride to its key competitors across critical factors like pricing, performance, interior space, tech features, and more to help determine which midsize SUV truly reigns supreme for families in 2023.

Pricing and Value

The Kia Telluride starts at an MSRP of $34,015, making it one of the most affordable options in the segment. Higher trims can reach the low $40,000s. The Telluride offers excellent standard features like a 10.25” touchscreen, heated front seats, and adaptive cruise control. Compared to the Pilot which starts above $35,000 and the Highlander which starts around $37,000, the Telluride provides better value. The Palisade is closely priced to the Telluride as its sister vehicle.

Winner: Kia Telluride

Performance and Ride Quality

The Telluride comes with a powerful 3.8L V6 engine making 291 horsepower. The smooth 8-speed automatic provides brisk acceleration. The suspension ably soaks up bumps in the road for a composed, comfortable ride. The Highlander offers a similar smooth, quiet ride. The Pilot provides a bit more agile handling. The Palisade shares the same mechanics as the Telluride and delivers an equally smooth ride.

Winner: Toss-up

Seating and Cargo Space

With room for up to 8 passengers, the Telluride provides ample space. The reclining second row captain’s chairs offer first-class comfort. Cargo room behind the third row measures 21 cu ft, expanding to 87 cu ft, which gives the Telluride an advantage over the Highlander’s 16/84 cu ft capacity. The Pilot offers more maximum cargo room at 109 cu ft but less behind the 3rd row at 16 cu ft. The Palisade matches the Telluride’s generous passenger and cargo space.

Winner: Kia Telluride

Interior Quality and Tech

The Telluride’s cabin looks upscale and feels well-built. Available premium features include nappa leather seats, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and dual sunroofs. The 10.25” touchscreen comes loaded with smartphone integration and voice controls. The Telluride offers more tech than the Pilot and Highlander, but the Palisade equals it with the same excellent infotainment system and luxe options.

Winner: Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade

Safety Features

The Telluride comes standard with driver assists like forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The range-topping SX trim adds extras like blind spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a surround view camera. The Highlander and Pilot offer similar robust standard safety suites, while the Palisade mirrors the Telluride. All competitors earn top IIHS and NHTSA ratings.

Winner: Draw

Fuel Economy

The Telluride achieves up to 20/26 mpg city/highway. The Highlander leads at up to 21/29 mpg, while the Pilot manages 19/26 mpg. The V6 Palisade gets 19/24 mpg. While not best-in-class, the Telluride delivers solid fuel efficiency for a large 3-row SUV.

Winner: Toyota Highlander

Conclusion:

The Kia Telluride emerges as the best midsize SUV for most families thanks to its combination of affordable pricing, generous passenger and cargo space, upscale interior and features, and strong performance and ride quality. The Telluride matches or beats the veteran Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot in almost all categories—an impressive feat for a relatively new model. The range-topping SX provides luxurious details and tech for thousands less than premium rivals. While the mechanically similar Hyundai Palisade gives it close competition, the Kia Telluride takes the crown as the reigning champion of the midsize SUV market in 2023 for its all-around family-friendly package. Drivers seeking maximum interior room or fuel economy may prefer the Pilot or Highlander, but for most buyers, the Telluride hits the sweet spot.