The midsize SUV market has been growing rapidly, with a wide range of models to choose from. Two standout vehicles in this segment are the 2023 Kia Telluride and the VW Atlas. Both offer a lot of value for their respective prices, but which one is the better option for you?
In this comprehensive comparison, we will break down each vehicle’s exterior and interior design, seating, storage, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, trim levels, and pricing to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Exterior Design
The 2023 Kia Telluride has a bold, rugged exterior design that stands out in the midsize SUV segment. It features a distinctive front grille, squared-off wheel arches, and sleek LED headlights. The overall look of the Telluride is a blend of modern styling and rugged off-road capability.
On the other hand, the VW Atlas features a more conservative design with clean lines and a sophisticated European style. The Atlas has a prominent front grille, sharp LED headlights, and a wide, athletic stance. The design language of the Atlas is both refined and practical, making it a suitable choice for family-oriented buyers.
Interior Design
The interior of the 2023 Kia Telluride offers a well-appointed cabin with a luxurious feel, featuring high-quality materials and a modern design. The dashboard is dominated by a large touchscreen infotainment system, and the layout is intuitive, with easy-to-reach controls.
The VW Atlas, while more conservative in design, also offers a comfortable and spacious cabin. The interior is functional and well-organized, with easy-to-use controls and a user-friendly infotainment system. The Atlas provides a pleasant and straightforward driving experience.
Seating
Both the Kia Telluride and the VW Atlas offer seating for up to seven passengers in their standard configuration. The Telluride features comfortable and supportive seats with plenty of room for passengers in all three rows. It also offers optional second-row captain’s chairs for those who prefer a more luxurious feel.
The Atlas also provides ample seating space, with adult-sized accommodations in all three rows. The second-row bench can slide and recline, allowing for increased comfort and easier access to the third row. Like the Telluride, the Atlas can be equipped with optional second-row captain’s chairs.
Storage
The 2023 Kia Telluride offers 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and a total of 87 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. This provides plenty of room for luggage, sports equipment, and other cargo.
The VW Atlas is slightly more spacious, offering 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 96.8 cubic feet with both rows folded down. The Atlas has a slight edge in storage capacity, making it a better option for those who prioritize cargo space.
Performance
The 2023 Kia Telluride comes standard with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers a smooth and powerful driving experience. The Telluride also offers optional all-wheel drive for improved traction and handling.
The VW Atlas offers two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Atlas comes standard with front-wheel drive, but an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is available. While the Atlas’ base engine may not be as powerful as the Telluride’s, the optional V6 offers comparable performance, making both SUVs suitable choices for daily driving and long road trips.
Fuel Efficiency
The 2023 Kia Telluride has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models, and 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for all-wheel-drive models. This makes the Telluride a reasonably fuel-efficient option for a midsize SUV.
The VW Atlas with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine offers an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models, while the 3.6-liter V6 delivers 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system slightly lowers these numbers. In terms of fuel efficiency, the Telluride has a slight advantage, especially when comparing all-wheel-drive models.
Safety
Both the 2023 Kia Telluride and the VW Atlas are designed with safety in mind, offering a range of standard and optional advanced safety features. The Telluride comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Additional options include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system.
The VW Atlas also offers a comprehensive suite of safety features, including standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system.
Both vehicles have received high safety ratings, making them suitable choices for families.
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, including leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, premium audio systems, and advanced safety features. The range-topping SX trim provides the most luxurious experience, with a dual sunroof, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
The VW Atlas is available in eight trim levels: S, SE, SE with Technology, SE with Technology R-Line, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium, and SEL Premium R-Line. As you move up in the trim levels, additional features such as a digital cockpit, panoramic sunroof, and premium audio system become available. The top-tier SEL Premium R-Line trim offers the most upscale experience, with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a Fender premium audio system.
Pricing
The 2023 Kia Telluride has a starting price of around $33,000 for the base LX trim, with the top SX trim starting at approximately $45,000. This pricing is competitive within the midsize SUV segment, offering a good balance of value and features.
The VW Atlas starts at a similar price point, with the base S trim starting around $33,000. The top-tier SEL Premium R-Line trim has a starting price of around $51,000. While the Atlas offers a greater variety of trims, the higher-end models can be more expensive than their Telluride counterparts.
Key Differences
When comparing the 2023 Kia Telluride and the VW Atlas, there are several key differences to consider. While both vehicles have their strengths and weaknesses, understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision about which midsize SUV is best suited for your needs.
Exterior Design:
The Kia Telluride features a bold, rugged exterior design with a distinctive front grille and squared-off wheel arches. In contrast, the VW Atlas has a more conservative design with clean lines and a sophisticated European style. The choice between the two may come down to personal preference and whether you prefer a more rugged or refined appearance.
Interior Design:
The Telluride offers a luxurious cabin with high-quality materials and a modern design. The VW Atlas, while more conservative, also provides a comfortable and spacious cabin. The Telluride’s interior may appeal to those who prioritize a more upscale feel, while the Atlas’ functional design will suit those who value practicality.
Storage:
The VW Atlas has an edge in storage capacity, with 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space when both the second and third rows are folded down, compared to the Telluride’s 87 cubic feet. If maximizing cargo space is a priority, the Atlas may be the better choice.
Performance:
While the Telluride comes standard with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, the Atlas offers two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6. The Telluride’s engine has more horsepower and torque than the Atlas’ base engine, but the optional V6 in the Atlas offers comparable performance.
The choice will depend on whether you prioritize a more powerful base engine or prefer the option to upgrade to a higher-performing engine.
Fuel Efficiency:
The 2023 Kia Telluride has a slight advantage in fuel efficiency, especially when comparing all-wheel-drive models. The Telluride achieves an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway with AWD, while the Atlas’ AWD models have slightly lower numbers. If fuel efficiency is a priority, the Telluride may be the better choice.
Trim Levels:
The Telluride is available in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX. The Atlas offers more variety, with eight trim levels ranging from the base S to the top-tier SEL Premium R-Line. The greater number of trim levels for the Atlas allows for more customization and options to suit individual preferences and budgets.
Pricing:
Both vehicles start at similar price points, around $33,000 for their respective base trims. However, the top-tier Atlas SEL Premium R-Line starts at around $51,000, which is more expensive than the Telluride’s top SX trim, which starts at approximately $45,000. If you are considering higher-end trims, the Telluride may offer better value for the money.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the 2023 Kia Telluride and the VW Atlas both present strong contenders in the competitive midsize SUV segment. Each vehicle has its unique advantages, with the Telluride offering a bolder exterior design, luxurious interior, and better fuel efficiency, while the Atlas boasts greater cargo space, engine options, and a wider range of trim levels.
When making a decision between these two vehicles, it is essential to consider your priorities, preferences, and budget to determine which SUV best aligns with your needs. Ultimately, both the Telluride and the Atlas provide excellent value and versatility, ensuring that either choice will serve as a reliable and enjoyable family vehicle.
Features Breakdown:
2023 Kia Telluride Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design
- Bold and rugged styling
- Distinctive front grille and squared-off wheel arches
- Sleek LED headlights
- Interior Design
- Luxurious cabin with high-quality materials
- Modern design with a large touchscreen infotainment system
- Intuitive layout and easy-to-reach controls
- Seating
- Comfortable seating for up to seven passengers
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs
- Storage
- 21 cubic feet behind the third row
- 46 cubic feet with the third row folded
- 87 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded
- Performance
- 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Optional all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency
- 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (FWD)
- 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (AWD)
- Safety
- Standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control
- Optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and surround-view camera system
- High safety ratings
- Trim Levels
- LX, S, EX, and SX
- Pricing
- Base LX starting at around $33,000
- Top SX trim starting at approximately $45,000
VW Atlas Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design
- Conservative design with clean lines
- Prominent front grille and sharp LED headlights
- Wide, athletic stance
- Interior Design
- Comfortable and spacious cabin
- Functional and well-organized layout
- User-friendly infotainment system
- Seating
- Ample seating for up to seven passengers
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs
- Storage
- 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row
- 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded
- 96.8 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded
- Performance
- 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque
- 3.6-liter V6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Optional 4Motion all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency
- 21 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (2.0L FWD)
- 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (3.6L FWD)
- Slightly lower numbers for AWD models
- Safety
- Standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring
- Optional adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and surround-view camera system
- High safety ratings
- Trim Levels
- S, SE, SE with Technology, SE with Technology R-Line, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium, and SEL Premium R-Line
- Pricing
- Base S trim starting at around $33,000
- Top SEL Premium R-Line trim starting at around $51,000
