When it comes to family-friendly SUVs, the 2023 Kia Telluride and Nissan Pathfinder are top contenders in their segment. Both vehicles offer a great blend of style, performance, and practicality, but how do they stack up against each other?
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll look at the exterior and interior design, seating, storage, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, trim levels, and pricing for both the 2023 Kia Telluride and Nissan Pathfinder.
Exterior Design:
The 2023 Kia Telluride boasts a bold, confident exterior design that sets it apart from the competition. Its signature tiger-nose grille, sleek LED headlights, and muscular lines create a strong road presence. The Telluride’s unique front and rear skid plates add an off-road touch, while its 20-inch alloy wheels contribute to its commanding stance.
The Nissan Pathfinder, on the other hand, sports a more traditional SUV design with its distinctive V-Motion grille, C-shaped LED headlights, and rugged body cladding. The 2023 model has been redesigned to emphasize its off-road capabilities, featuring a more aggressive front fascia, sharp lines, and larger wheel arches.
Interior Design:
Inside the 2023 Kia Telluride, you’ll find a luxurious, high-quality cabin filled with premium materials and soft-touch surfaces. Its spacious interior features a modern design with a sleek, horizontally-oriented dashboard, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, and ambient lighting to set the mood.
The Nissan Pathfinder’s interior has also received an upgrade for 2023, showcasing a more upscale feel with soft-touch materials, a new 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a customizable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The dashboard design is driver-focused, with easy access to controls and a comfortable driving position.
Seating:
The Kia Telluride offers seating for up to eight passengers, with comfortable and supportive seats in all three rows. The front-row captain’s chairs are particularly impressive, providing ample space and adjustability. The second-row captain’s chairs are optional, and a 60/40-split folding third-row bench seat maximizes flexibility.
The Nissan Pathfinder also seats up to eight passengers, with a similarly spacious layout. It features Nissan’s EZ Flex Seating System, allowing the second-row seats to slide and tilt for easy access to the third row. The Pathfinder’s seats are comfortable, but the third row is best suited for children or shorter trips.
Storage:
When it comes to storage, both SUVs provide ample space for your cargo needs. The Kia Telluride offers 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an impressive 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.
The Nissan Pathfinder is similarly spacious, with 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 45 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 80.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. Although the Pathfinder has slightly less overall cargo space than the Telluride, it still provides plenty of room for family vacations and daily errands.
Performance:
The 2023 Kia Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a smooth and responsive driving experience. The Telluride is available with front-wheel drive or an optional all-wheel-drive system.
The Nissan Pathfinder comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission, providing improved acceleration and smoother shifts. Like the Telluride, the Pathfinder offers a choice between front-wheel drive and an optional all-wheel-drive system.
Fuel Efficiency:
When it comes to fuel efficiency, both the Telluride and Pathfinder offer competitive numbers for their segment. The 2023 Kia Telluride achieves an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models. The all-wheel-drive version returns slightly lower figures at 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is rated at 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models. Opting for the all-wheel-drive version results in a slight decrease to 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. While both SUVs have similar fuel economy ratings, the Pathfinder edges out the Telluride by a small margin.
Safety:
Safety is a priority for both Kia and Nissan, and their 2023 SUV offerings are no exception. The Kia Telluride comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features, including forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
The Nissan Pathfinder also offers a wide array of safety features as part of its Nissan Safety Shield 360 package. Standard features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Both SUVs have been designed with family safety in mind, and their advanced safety features reflect that commitment.
Trim Levels:
The 2023 Kia Telluride is available in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX. Each trim offers a variety of standard and optional features, allowing buyers to customize their vehicle to suit their preferences. Notable features include heated and ventilated seats, a premium Harman Kardon audio system, and a dual-panel sunroof.
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder comes in four trim levels as well: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Each trim offers different levels of comfort and technology, catering to a wide range of buyer preferences. Standout features include a Bose premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving technology.
Pricing:
When it comes to pricing, both the Kia Telluride and Nissan Pathfinder offer competitive starting prices for their segment. The 2023 Kia Telluride has a base price of around $33,000 for the LX trim, with the top-of-the-line SX starting at around $44,000.
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder starts at a slightly lower price point, with the base S trim priced at around $32,000. The range-topping Platinum trim begins at approximately $45,000. While both SUVs offer great value for money, the Pathfinder’s slightly lower starting price may appeal to budget-conscious buyers.
Features Breakdown
2023 Kia Telluride Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design:
- Bold, confident design
- Signature tiger-nose grille
- Sleek LED headlights
- Front and rear skid plates
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Interior Design:
- Luxurious, high-quality cabin
- Sleek, horizontally-oriented dashboard
- 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Ambient lighting
- Seating:
- Up to eight passengers
- Comfortable and supportive seats
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs
- 60/40-split folding third-row bench seat
- Storage:
- 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row
- 46 cubic feet with the third row folded
- 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded
- Performance:
- 3.8-liter V6 engine (291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque)
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, 23 mpg combined (FWD)
- 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, 21 mpg combined (AWD)
- Safety:
- Forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection
- Lane keeping assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Trim Levels:
- LX, S, EX, and SX
- Variety of standard and optional features
- Pricing:
- Base LX trim starts at around $33,000
- Top-of-the-line SX trim starts at around $44,000
2023 Nissan Pathfinder Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design:
- Traditional SUV design
- Distinctive V-Motion grille
- C-shaped LED headlights
- Rugged body cladding
- Interior Design:
- Upgraded, upscale cabin
- Driver-focused dashboard
- 9-inch infotainment touchscreen
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Seating:
- Up to eight passengers
- Comfortable seats
- EZ Flex Seating System
- Second-row seats slide and tilt for easy access to the third row
- Storage:
- 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row
- 45 cubic feet with the third row folded
- 80.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded
- Performance:
- 3.5-liter V6 engine (284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque)
- 9-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, 23 mpg combined (FWD)
- 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 22 mpg combined (AWD)
- Safety:
- Nissan Safety Shield 360 package
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear automatic braking
- Trim Levels:
- S, SV, SL, and Platinum
- Variety of standard and optional features
- Pricing:
- Base S trim starts at around $32,000
- Top-of-the-line Platinum trim starts at around $45,000
Key Differences
When comparing the 2023 Kia Telluride and Nissan Pathfinder, several key differences stand out, which may influence a buyer’s decision. These key differences include exterior and interior design, storage space, performance, fuel efficiency, and pricing.
Exterior Design:
The Kia Telluride features a bold, confident design with a signature tiger-nose grille, sleek LED headlights, and muscular lines that create a strong road presence. The Nissan Pathfinder, on the other hand, has a more traditional SUV design with a distinctive V-Motion grille, C-shaped LED headlights, and rugged body cladding.
Interior Design:
The Kia Telluride boasts a luxurious, high-quality cabin filled with premium materials and soft-touch surfaces, as well as a sleek, horizontally-oriented dashboard and a larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Nissan Pathfinder’s interior is also upscale, but its dashboard design is more driver-focused, and it comes with a slightly smaller 9-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Storage Space:
The Kia Telluride has a slight advantage in terms of storage space, offering 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. In comparison, the Nissan Pathfinder provides 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 45 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 80.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.
Performance:
While both SUVs are powered by V6 engines, the Kia Telluride’s 3.8-liter V6 produces slightly more power (291 horsepower) and torque (262 lb-ft) than the Nissan Pathfinder’s 3.5-liter V6 (284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft). Additionally, the Telluride uses an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the Pathfinder features a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Efficiency:
Fuel efficiency is fairly similar between the two SUVs, but the Nissan Pathfinder has a slight edge. Its front-wheel-drive models achieve an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive models deliver 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.
In comparison, the Kia Telluride’s front-wheel-drive models achieve 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive models achieve 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
Pricing:
In terms of pricing, the Nissan Pathfinder offers a lower starting price point, with the base S trim priced at around $32,000. The Kia Telluride’s base LX trim starts at around $33,000. However, the top-of-the-line Platinum trim of the Pathfinder is priced slightly higher at around $45,000, compared to the Telluride’s SX trim, which starts at around $44,000.
Final Thoughts
Each vehicle has its own unique strengths, with the Telluride offering a bold design and more luxurious interior, while the Pathfinder provides slightly better fuel efficiency and a lower starting price. The key differences between these SUVs highlight the importance of considering individual preferences and priorities when making a decision.
Ultimately, the best way to determine which SUV is right for you is to test drive both vehicles and experience their features, performance, and overall feel firsthand. By doing so, you can make an informed decision that meets your specific needs and lifestyle. Regardless of which SUV you choose, both the 2023 Kia Telluride and Nissan Pathfinder provide a great blend of style, performance, and practicality that will serve you and your family well for years to come.
