As the demand for midsize SUVs continues to grow, the 2023 Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent stand out as two top choices in this competitive segment. Both vehicles successfully blend comfort, style, performance, and safety, making them perfect options for families and adventure seekers.
In this thorough comparison, we’ll explore the various aspects of these two SUVs. Our goal is to provide you with all the information you need to decide which SUV best fits your unique needs and preferences.
Exterior Design
The 2023 Kia Telluride boasts a bold and distinctive exterior design. With its imposing front grille, sleek LED headlights, and muscular stance, the Telluride commands attention on the road. The SUV’s high ground clearance and 20-inch alloy wheels not only add to its aggressive appearance but also enhance its off-road capabilities.
On the other hand, the 2023 Subaru Ascent features a more conservative exterior design, characterized by its sculpted body lines and signature hexagonal grille. The Ascent’s LED headlights and taillights offer a touch of sophistication, while its 18-inch alloy wheels and high ground clearance contribute to its rugged, off-road look.
Interior Design
The interior of the 2023 Kia Telluride is both luxurious and practical. High-quality materials, such as soft-touch surfaces, woodgrain accents, and leather upholstery, give the cabin a premium feel. The user-friendly infotainment system features a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration, along with a range of connectivity options.
The Subaru Ascent’s interior is equally impressive, with a clean and functional layout. Soft-touch materials and available leather upholstery create a comfortable atmosphere, while the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offers intuitive controls and smartphone integration. The Ascent also boasts a standard tri-zone automatic climate control system, ensuring comfort for all passengers.
Seating
The 2023 Kia Telluride offers seating for up to eight passengers, with comfortable and supportive seats throughout. The second-row captain’s chairs are a popular option, providing easy access to the third row and reducing the seating capacity to seven. Both second and third-row seats can be folded to create a versatile and spacious cargo area.
Like the Telluride, the 2023 Subaru Ascent provides seating for up to eight passengers. The Ascent’s seats are comfortable and spacious, with ample headroom and legroom in all three rows. Second-row captain’s chairs are also available, allowing for a seven-passenger configuration. The Ascent’s second and third-row seats can be folded to create a flexible cargo area.
Storage
The 2023 Kia Telluride offers a generous cargo capacity, with 21 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and a total of 87 cubic feet with both rows folded. Additionally, the Telluride features various storage compartments, such as door pockets, a center console, and an underfloor storage area.
The Subaru Ascent also provides ample cargo space, with 17.8 cubic feet of storage behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Ascent is equipped with numerous storage solutions, including door pockets, a center console, and hidden underfloor compartments.
Performance
Powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, the 2023 Kia Telluride provides a smooth and responsive driving experience. The eight-speed automatic transmission ensures seamless gear shifts, while the available all-wheel-drive system enhances the SUV’s off-road capabilities.
The 2023 Subaru Ascent comes equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Ascent delivers a comfortable and efficient ride. The standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system provides excellent traction and stability in various driving conditions.
Fuel Efficiency
The 2023 Kia Telluride is relatively fuel-efficient for its class, with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel-drive version sees a slight decrease in fuel economy, with ratings of 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
The Subaru Ascent boasts competitive fuel efficiency, with EPA ratings of 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Thanks to its standard all-wheel-drive system, these figures remain consistent across all trim levels.
Safety
The 2023 Kia Telluride is equipped with a suite of advanced safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The SUV also offers optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system, ensuring a high level of safety and driver assistance.
Similarly, the 2023 Subaru Ascent comes standard with the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package, which includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, and lane-keeping assist. Optional safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking further enhance the Ascent’s safety credentials.
Trim Levels
The 2023 Kia Telluride is available in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX. Each trim offers a unique combination of features and options, allowing buyers to customize the SUV to their preferences.
The 2023 Subaru Ascent also comes in four trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring. Each trim level builds on the previous one, adding additional comfort, convenience, and safety features to cater to various customer needs.
Pricing
Pricing for the 2023 Kia Telluride starts at around $33,000 for the base LX model and goes up to approximately $45,000 for the top-of-the-line SX trim. Optional packages and features can increase the price further, depending on buyer preferences.
The 2023 Subaru Ascent’s pricing is competitive with the Telluride, with the base model starting at around $33,000 and the top-of-the-line Touring trim priced at approximately $46,000. Like the Telluride, additional options and packages can affect the final price.
Key Differences
While both the 2023 Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent are excellent midsize SUVs, there are several key differences between the two that might influence a buyer’s decision. Here are the main distinctions to consider:
- Exterior Design: The Kia Telluride sports a bolder and more aggressive design, with an imposing front grille, sleek LED headlights, and muscular stance. In contrast, the Subaru Ascent features a more conservative and sculpted design, with a signature hexagonal grille and more subtle body lines.
- Interior Infotainment System: The Telluride’s infotainment system comes with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen display, while the Ascent’s system features an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
- Cargo Space: The Kia Telluride has slightly more cargo capacity, with 21 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and a total of 87 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Subaru Ascent offers 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded.
- Performance: The Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, while the Ascent is equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.
- Transmission: The Kia Telluride features an eight-speed automatic transmission, whereas the Subaru Ascent comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
- Drivetrain: The Telluride offers the choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), while the Ascent comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
- Fuel Efficiency: The Ascent has slightly better fuel efficiency, with EPA ratings of 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, compared to the Telluride’s ratings of 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for the FWD model, and 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for the AWD version.
- Pricing: Both SUVs have similar pricing, with the base models starting at around $33,000. However, the top-of-the-line Ascent Touring trim is priced slightly higher, at approximately $46,000, compared to the Telluride SX trim, which is around $45,000.
Final Thoughts:
To sum it up, both the 2023 Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent are exceptional midsize SUVs, catering to a wide range of driver preferences and requirements.
While the Telluride impresses with its striking design, slightly larger cargo capacity, and robust V6 engine, the Ascent stands out with its standard all-wheel-drive system, impressive fuel efficiency, and versatile performance. The decision between these two SUVs ultimately comes down to individual preferences, priorities, and desired features.
By taking into account the key differences and similarities discussed in this comparison, you can make an informed decision and choose the SUV that best complements your lifestyle and needs.
Features Breakdown
2023 Kia Telluride Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design
- Bold and distinctive design
- Imposing front grille and sleek LED headlights
- Muscular stance with high ground clearance
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Interior Design
- Luxurious and practical cabin
- High-quality materials, woodgrain accents, and leather upholstery
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- User-friendly interface and various connectivity options
- Seating
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs
- Comfortable and supportive seats
- Storage
- 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row
- 46 cubic feet behind the second row
- 87 cubic feet with both rows folded
- Various storage compartments
- Performance
- 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Available all-wheel-drive system
- Fuel Efficiency
- EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (FWD)
- EPA-estimated 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (AWD)
- Safety
- Advanced safety features including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control
- Optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and surround-view camera system
- Trim Levels
- Four trims available: LX, S, EX, and SX
- Pricing
- Starting at around $33,000 for the base LX model
- Up to approximately $45,000 for the top-of-the-line SX trim
2023 Subaru Ascent Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design
- Conservative and sculpted design
- Signature hexagonal grille and LED headlights
- High ground clearance and 18-inch alloy wheels
- Interior Design
- Clean and functional layout
- Soft-touch materials and available leather upholstery
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Standard tri-zone automatic climate control
- Seating
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs
- Comfortable and spacious seats
- Storage
- 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row
- 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row
- 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded
- Various storage compartments
- Performance
- 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system
- Fuel Efficiency
- EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway
- Safety
- EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, and lane-keeping assist
- Optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking
- Trim Levels
- Four trims available: Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring
- Pricing
- Starting at around $33,000 for the base model
- Up to approximately $46,000 for the top-of-the-line Touring trim
