2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Kia Telluride

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold styling reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The redesigned SUV boasted a more commanding appearance than its predecessor, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches in the Capstone trim, such as leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, but some interior materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2023 Kia Telluride, particularly in the X-Line and X-Pro models, showcased fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. New paint colors and interior options added to its appeal. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a raised suspension, unique grille, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro offered exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Telluride's updates were subtle, with a digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a curved 24-inch glass piece. The interior changes included new colors, minor trim updates, and a more functional center console. The Telluride was available in various trims, with prices starting at $35,690 for the LX with FWD and reaching $52,785 for the SX Prestige X-Pro with AWD.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the rumble of the previous 5.7-liter V8, the new V6 offered improved towing and payload capacities, with a maximum tow rating of 9,520 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but its steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting. The Telluride's V6 provided ample power, and the X-Line averaged 24.1 mpg, while the X-Pro returned 20.4 mpg, including off-roading. The Telluride's suspension was raised, improving ground clearance and off-road performance. The X-Pro offered 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and a self-leveling rear air suspension, enhancing its off-road capabilities. On highways, the Telluride delivered a smooth ride, though the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishier in turns.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller passengers found them cumbersome. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 86.9 cubic feet, significantly less than its predecessor and competitors.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front and second-row captain's chairs. The Telluride's interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system. The second-row seats offered manual sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. Access to the third-row was easy, and the seats were more comfortable than many midsize SUVs. The Telluride's cargo space was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but suffered from glare. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for directions. The Sequoia included a surround-view camera system, a digital rearview mirror, and a 10-inch head-up display. However, the system had some bugs, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate control adjustments required manual input. The Kia Access app allowed remote control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and OTA updates kept the system current. The Telluride offered Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging, and digital-key technology. The optional head-up display provided additional information, and the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included all driver-assistance features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package offered forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The Sequoia's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning was noisy. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the Tundra's high IIHS rating was promising.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, with expanded advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). These included forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, a junction turning system, and automatic emergency braking. The Telluride also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The adaptive cruise control system could adjust speed based on navigation data, and Highway Drive Assist 1.5 and 2.0 provided semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Telluride's safety features worked well, with the forward collision warning system effectively alerting drivers. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.