Navigating the world of midsize SUVs can be a daunting task, with numerous models vying for your attention and each promising an ideal balance of features, performance, and style. Among these competitors, the Kia Telluride and Chevrolet Traverse have risen to the forefront, capturing the interest of families and adventurers alike.
In this in-depth comparison, we will examine the most important aspects of these two remarkable SUVs, such as exterior and interior design, seating, storage, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, trim levels, and price. Our goal is to provide you with the insights and information you need to determine which of these midsize SUVs best aligns with your unique preferences and requirements.
Exterior Design
The Kia Telluride’s exterior design features an imposing presence with its boxy shape and bold, angular lines. The signature “tiger-nose” grille, sleek LED headlights, and prominent wheel arches give it a modern yet rugged look. The Telluride also offers a variety of attractive wheel options, ranging from 18 to 20 inches in size.
The Chevrolet Traverse displays a more conservative design compared to the Telluride. Its streamlined body, sculpted lines, and available LED headlights give it a sophisticated appearance. The Traverse also features a distinctive dual-port grille, adding a touch of character to its overall look.
Interior Design
The Telluride’s interior is well-appointed and elegant, with high-quality materials and a clean, modern layout. Soft-touch surfaces and available Nappa leather upholstery create a luxurious atmosphere, while the standard 8-inch touchscreen (or optional 10.25-inch) ensures that the infotainment system is user-friendly.
The Traverse’s interior is also well-designed, featuring an intuitive layout and premium materials. Its available leather upholstery and soft-touch surfaces create a comfortable ambiance. The standard 7-inch touchscreen (or optional 8-inch) ensures easy access to various functions and features.
Seating
The Telluride provides seating for up to eight passengers across three rows. Its standard second-row bench seat can be replaced with optional captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The Telluride is known for its spacious interior, providing ample legroom and headroom for all passengers.
The Traverse also offers seating for up to eight passengers, with an available second-row captain’s chair configuration bringing the capacity down to seven. The Traverse is renowned for its roomy cabin, providing a comfortable experience for all occupants, even during long trips.
Storage
The Telluride offers generous storage space, with 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and 87 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down. Its hands-free power liftgate makes loading and unloading more convenient.
The Traverse boasts a slightly larger cargo area, with 23 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The available hands-free power liftgate enhances the convenience of cargo loading.
Performance
The Telluride comes with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offers smooth acceleration and a comfortable ride, making it an ideal choice for long journeys. The Telluride is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The Traverse is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that generates 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse offers brisk acceleration and a composed ride, making it enjoyable to drive on various road conditions. Like the Telluride, the Traverse is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Fuel Efficiency
The Telluride’s fuel efficiency ratings are competitive within its segment. The EPA estimates the front-wheel-drive Telluride to return 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Opting for the all-wheel-drive version results in slightly lower figures, with 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
The Traverse offers slightly better fuel efficiency compared to the Telluride. The front-wheel-drive Traverse is rated at 18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined by the EPA. The all-wheel-drive version is rated at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.
Safety
The Telluride has received high safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view parking camera system.
The Traverse has also earned strong safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. Its standard safety features include a rearview camera, Teen Driver system, and Rear Seat Reminder. Additional available safety features consist of forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Trim Levels
The Telluride is available in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX. Each trim offers a range of features and options, from the well-equipped base LX model to the luxurious and feature-packed SX trim.
The Traverse comes in seven trim levels: L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. Each trim offers various levels of equipment and options, providing a wide range of choices for buyers with different preferences and budgets.
Pricing
The base Telluride LX starts at around $33,000, while the top-of-the-line SX trim begins at approximately $44,000. The range of prices allows buyers to find a Telluride that suits their needs and budget.
The entry-level Traverse L starts at around $34,000, and the high-end High Country trim begins at about $53,000. The Traverse’s pricing offers flexibility for buyers looking for a midsize SUV at various price points.
Key Differences
In comparing the Kia Telluride and the Chevy Traverse, several key differences emerge that may influence a buyer’s decision:
- Exterior Design:
- The Kia Telluride boasts a bold and boxy exterior design, with its “tiger-nose” grille and prominent wheel arches. In contrast, the Chevy Traverse offers a more conservative and streamlined appearance, featuring a distinctive dual-port grille.
- Interior Design:
- While both vehicles provide well-appointed interiors with premium materials, the Telluride stands out for its slightly more luxurious ambiance and larger standard touchscreen (8-inch vs. 7-inch in the Traverse).
- Storage:
- The Chevy Traverse offers a larger cargo area compared to the Kia Telluride, with 98.2 cubic feet of maximum space when both rear rows are folded down, versus the Telluride’s 87 cubic feet. This extra capacity may be an important factor for buyers who need substantial storage for cargo or family outings.
- Performance:
- The Traverse’s 3.6-liter V6 engine generates 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, which is slightly more than the Telluride’s 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
- The Traverse also has a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the Telluride comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Although these differences are not significant, they may affect the driving experience for some drivers.
- Fuel Efficiency:
- The Chevy Traverse offers marginally better fuel efficiency than the Kia Telluride, particularly in highway driving. Buyers prioritizing fuel economy may find the Traverse a more suitable option.
- Safety Features:
- The Kia Telluride is equipped with a more comprehensive list of standard safety features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. While the Traverse also offers these features, they are available as options rather than standard equipment.
- Trim Levels:
- The Chevy Traverse has a broader range of trim levels (seven in total) compared to the Telluride’s four trim levels, offering buyers more flexibility and choices when selecting their preferred features and options.
- Price:
- The base price of the Kia Telluride is slightly lower than that of the Chevy Traverse. However, the top-of-the-line Traverse High Country trim is priced higher than the Telluride SX. Depending on the buyer’s budget and preferences, the pricing difference may be a determining factor.
Final Thoughts:
The midsize SUV market is filled with many appealing options, but the Kia Telluride and Chevrolet Traverse stand out as strong contenders in their class. Each vehicle showcases its own unique set of attributes, which cater to different preferences and needs.
The Kia Telluride impresses with its distinctive exterior design, refined interior, and an extensive array of standard safety features. Conversely, the Chevrolet Traverse offers a more understated design, slightly superior fuel efficiency, and a larger cargo area that could be invaluable to some buyers.
In the end, the decision between the Kia Telluride and Chevy Traverse comes down to individual priorities and personal taste. By test driving both vehicles and carefully considering their features, pricing, and overall experience, you can confidently choose the midsize SUV that will best serve you and your family in the years to come.
Features Breakdown:
Kia Telluride:
- Exterior Design:
- Boxy, bold, and angular styling
- Signature “tiger-nose” grille
- Sleek LED headlights
- Prominent wheel arches
- 18- to 20-inch wheel options
- Interior Design:
- Well-appointed and elegant
- High-quality materials
- 8-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen
- Seating:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs
- Spacious legroom and headroom
- Storage:
- 21 cubic feet behind the third row
- 46 cubic feet behind the second row
- 87 cubic feet with all rear seats folded
- Hands-free power liftgate
- Performance:
- 3.8-liter V6 engine (291 hp, 262 lb-ft torque)
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency:
- FWD: 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, 23 mpg combined
- AWD: 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, 21 mpg combined
- Safety:
- High ratings from NHTSA and IIHS
- Comprehensive list of standard and optional safety features
- Trim Levels:
- LX, S, EX, and SX
- Price:
- Starting at around $33,000 (LX) to $44,000 (SX)
Chevy Traverse:
- Exterior Design:
- Streamlined, sculpted, and conservative styling
- Dual-port grille
- Available LED headlights
- Interior Design:
- Intuitive layout and premium materials
- 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen
- Seating:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Available second-row captain’s chairs
- Roomy cabin for a comfortable experience
- Storage:
- 23 cubic feet behind the third row
- 57.8 cubic feet behind the second row
- 98.2 cubic feet with both rear rows folded
- Available hands-free power liftgate
- Performance:
- 3.6-liter V6 engine (310 hp, 266 lb-ft torque)
- 9-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency:
- FWD: 18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, 21 mpg combined
- AWD: 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 20 mpg combined
- Safety:
- Strong ratings from NHTSA and IIHS
- Standard and available safety features
- Trim Levels:
- L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country
- Price:
- Starting at around $34,000 (L) to $53,000 (High Country)
