2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly sculpted SUV body. Its traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes, especially in the upscale Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black color scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded occupants 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 equip the SR5 and Limited trims with a TRD Off-Road Package for enhanced capability.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige, with the option to add the rugged X-Line treatment to all but the LX and S trims. The X-Line package provided standard AWD, improved ground clearance, and unique styling elements. The X-Pro package further enhanced the Telluride's capabilities with all-terrain tires and increased towing capacity. Prices ranged from $35,990 for the LX to $53,185 for the SX Prestige with the X-Pro package. The SX Prestige with the X-Line package featured premium Nappa leather seats and a dual sunroof, creating a comfortable and stylish interior. The Telluride's design updates maintained its attractive proportions, and the Wolf Gray paint with blacked-out X-Line styling added a modern touch. The interior offered various color options, complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim and minimizing the impact of shiny plastic surfaces.

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 Capstone offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive. The adaptive rear air suspension adjusted ride and handling traits, but the ride quality was busy and occasionally jittery.

The 2024 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Most Tellurides could tow 5,000 pounds, with the X-Pro package increasing the capacity to 5,500 pounds. The AWD system included a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode, along with Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. The Telluride's ground clearance was 8.0 inches, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages. The SUV offered good acceleration and passing power, but its fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 19 mpg in combined driving. The Telluride's driving experience was refined, with responsive steering and brakes, and a firm ride at lower speeds that softened at higher velocities. The SUV handled off-road conditions better than expected, though it wasn't as capable as a Jeep.

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 automatic climate control system. The power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, while the panoramic sunroof reduced second-row headroom. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. The third-row seat was mounted high, with limited legroom and thigh support. 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 rivals.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable interior, especially in higher trims like the SX Prestige X-Line, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a dual sunroof. The controls were oriented horizontally, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and physical buttons. The Telluride featured thoughtful details, such as a digital instrumentation panel with changing landscapes and generous storage space. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient, and the SUV offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 46 cubic feet. The maximum cargo capacity was 87 cubic feet, among the most generous in the segment.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but glare was an issue. The connected services offered user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant, though it had some limitations. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system were effective in preventing accidents.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Kia Connect subscription offered various features, including voice recognition, remote engine starting, and over-the-air updates. The Telluride also had satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon audio system. Thoughtful features included a blue-light filter, Quiet Mode, and a digital key function. The SUV offered a camera-based rearview mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 package, with features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. The Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the Tundra, on which it was based, received high ratings.

The 2024 Kia Telluride featured the Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered additional features like front parking sensors and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.