2024 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Ford Bronco

The 2024 Kia Telluride was offered in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The rugged X-Line treatment was available for all trims except the LX and S, while the X-Pro package was reserved for the top two trims. The X-Line package equipped the Telluride with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), a center locking differential, increased ground clearance to 8.4 inches, improved approach and departure angles, unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package added 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the maximum towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. Prices ranged from $35,990 for the LX to $53,185 for the SX Prestige with the X-Pro package, excluding the destination charge. The SX Prestige with the X-Line package, including extra cost Wolf Gray paint and floor mats, had an MSRP of $54,270, including the $1,365 destination charge.

The Telluride's design attracted buyers with its appealing forms and proportions, despite some mixed reactions to last year’s styling updates. The Wolf Gray paint complemented the blacked-out X-Line styling, enhancing the SUV's visual appeal. The test car featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other cabin color options like Mahogany brown, Terracotta brown, light gray over black or dark blue, and Sage Green were available, each complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim. The SX Prestige nearly met luxury SUV standards with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, classy metallic accents, and thoughtful details, though the shiny plastic covering the interior's lower portions was a downside.

The 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design, reminiscent of the 1960s, with a more successful execution in the two-door model compared to the four-door. The Sasquatch Package, a costly upgrade, added a suspension lift, 35-inch mud-terrain tires, and exclusive wheels, enhancing the Bronco's rugged look and off-road capability. Without the Sasquatch Package, the Bronco's factory tires appeared undersized, affecting its stance. The Sasquatch equipment was standard or optional on most Broncos, allowing for customization. The 2024 lineup included nine versions, with the Big Bend as the standard trim level. Prices ranged from $41,525 to $71,580 for regular Broncos, with the Raptor model priced at $91,930, all including the $1,895 destination charge.

The test vehicle, a four-door Big Bend trim with Hot Pepper Red paint, LED signature lighting, a hardtop, the Mid Package, and the Sasquatch Package, had an MSRP of $55,415. The Sasquatch Package did not include upholstery made from Sasquatch hair, but the Big Bend's marine-grade mildew- and water-resistant upholstery was not breathable, causing discomfort in hot weather. The Bronco's interior featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system on a flat dashboard with a BRONCO-stamped panel, grab handles, and knobs and buttons for stereo and climate controls. Compared to the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco offered a nicer interior, with effective square side mirrors and a nearly vertical windshield providing good visibility, though the spare tire on the tailgate obstructed the rear view.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with most models capable of towing 5,000 pounds, while the X-Pro package increased towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. The AWD version included a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode, alongside Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. The Telluride had a standard ground clearance of 8.0 inches, which increased to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, and featured a self-leveling rear suspension. The SUV provided good acceleration and passing power, though it was not fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg in combined driving for AWD versions, and an observed average of 19 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop and 17.5 mpg in city driving.

The Telluride's driving experience was refined, with standard brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control and 20-inch wheels and tires contributing to its athletic feel in curves and corners. The steering was responsive, and the brakes resisted rumble, pulsing, and fade. The ride was firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, effectively absorbing pavement undulations. The Telluride demonstrated off-road capability, handling trails in Colorado and Texas, though it was not on par with a Jeep.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend featured a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, with a seven-speed manual transmission or an optional 10-speed automatic. The maximum towing capacity was 3,500 pounds. An optional turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine delivered 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, requiring the 10-speed automatic transmission. The Raptor model had an exclusive turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque, and a 4,500-pound tow rating.

The Bronco offered a part-time four-wheel-drive system as standard, with an advanced system featuring automatic 4WD available as an upgrade. It included hill start assist, hill descent control (manual transmission only), and multiple G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) driving modes. Off-roading technologies like Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist enhanced its trail capabilities. The test vehicle's base engine, automatic transmission, and part-time 4WD system provided satisfying performance, though the Bronco was not fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg in the city, 17 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined for the Big Bend Sasquatch.

During an evaluation drive, the Big Bend averaged 16.9 mpg, with a long-term average of 17.6 mpg over 2,000-plus miles. The Bronco handled off-road challenges well, though the Goodyear Territory mud-terrain tires were noisy and less grippy on winding roads. On-road, the Bronco was easy to park, handled speed humps and bumps effortlessly, and offered an open-air driving experience with removable roof panels and doors. However, it provided an unrefined, loud, truck-like experience, similar to the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable interior, especially in higher trim levels. The SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with various adjustments, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and a third-row seat suitable for adults. A dual sunroof panel added light to the interior. The controls were oriented horizontally, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use, though metallic finish buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight.

The Telluride included thoughtful details, such as a digital instrumentation panel with a scenic landscape view that changed with the time of day. Storage space was generous, with a covered cubby, a smartphone tray, and door panel bins. A hands-free power liftgate with automatic closing was available, though it could be undesirable in certain situations. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet. The X-Line and X-Pro packages provided useful roof rails for additional storage.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend Sasquatch required more effort to enter and exit without optional running boards or steps, but it was comfortable inside. The two-door model could carry four adults, while the four-door model offered more room and lacked a rollbar in front of rear-seat passengers. The marine-grade vinyl upholstery was not breathable, trapping moisture, though cloth seats were available in the Heritage Edition. The Bronco featured removable roof panels and doors, allowing for an open-air experience, with various top and door configurations available.

Interior storage was good, with MOLLE panels on the front seat backs for customizable storage solutions. The Bronco's tailgate opened to the right, revealing 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space in the two-door model, expandable to 53.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The four-door model offered 38.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the soft top, or 35.6 cubic feet with the hardtop, expandable to 83 cubic feet or 77.6 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system offered Bluetooth pairing, satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Kia Connect plans provided various features, including remote engine starting, climate pre-conditioning, and over-the-air updates. The Telluride included a blue-light filter for the infotainment display, Quiet Mode, and a function to project the driver’s voice to rear-seat occupants. A digital key function and a camera-based rearview mirror were available, along with a 10-inch head-up display and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Ford Bronco featured a 12-inch touchscreen Sync 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a seven-speaker stereo system. Higher trims offered a connected navigation system and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. The Bronco Trail App provided access to trail maps and information. However, the Sync 4 system experienced connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay and inconsistent voice recognition performance. The 8-inch digital instrumentation panel required a learning curve, and the steering wheel controls were fussy and distracting.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was equipped with the Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear occupant protection. Highway Driving Assist provided semi-autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. Safety feature upgrades included front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, lane-change assist, and automatic rear braking. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and a backup camera. The Mid Package added Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Bronco received favorable ratings from the IIHS, except for its headlight performance, and a four-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA, though side-impact scores were incomplete.