2024 Subaru Ascent vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2024 Subaru Ascent struggled with its styling, as Subaru's design choices often polarized opinions. The previous year's refresh introduced visually offensive elements like tusks and a spear-like grille design that extended into the headlights. Despite these design choices, the Ascent lineup remained unchanged, offering various trims from Base to Touring, with prices ranging from $34,395 to $48,695, excluding destination charges. The Touring trim, which we tested, included premium features such as a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The interior materials were of good quality, but the design felt modular and lacked sophistication.

In contrast, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold reinterpretation of its design, which could polarize some shoppers. The grille, with its flat, faceless look, divided opinions, while the body-colored vertical strakes varied in appearance depending on the paint color. The X-Line and X-Pro models featured distinctive grille blocks and amber accent lights. The side profile showcased unique fender sculpting and black plastic tabs, while the rear view adopted a Range Rover-like style. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, with a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though some buttons were difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided comfort but had firm cushions that could be uncomfortable on long drives.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive with active torque vectoring. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it versatile for various driving conditions. It handled city and suburban roads, gravel paths, and off-road terrain with ease, though it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension. Fuel economy was a downside, with EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, but real-world tests showed lower figures.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid version added electric motors, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a six-speed transmission and offered a smooth, quiet ride. The Telluride Hybrid excelled in comfort, with a luxuriously smooth ride and minimal noise. It handled winding roads with composure, though it wasn't particularly sporty. The brake pedal effort was soft, but brake response was immediate during panic stops.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function over form, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs. The Touring trim offered comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear doors opened wide, making loading children easy, and the second-row captain's chairs were comfortable but slightly snug in legroom. The third-row seats were acceptable for short trips, with air conditioning vents and storage space. Cargo space was ample, with up to 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 75.6 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. Cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 89.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The Telluride also offered convenient storage solutions for smaller items.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent featured the Starlink infotainment system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The system worked well, though the display washed out in direct sunlight, and the native voice-recognition system was subpar. Physical buttons and knobs controlled essential functions, and upper trims included features like Cabin Connect and a surround-view camera.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it occasionally required hard taps to register inputs. The climate control screen was challenging to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered customization options for the infotainment screen and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system on higher trims.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was synonymous with safety, featuring a high-strength steel platform and the EyeSight collection of safety features. It received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for rollover resistance, and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The EyeSight package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. However, the lane-centering assist technology was unimpressive, often causing steering issues.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It included standard advanced safety features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had operational issues at night, and the blind-spot cameras were distracting. However, the highway driving assist was helpful on longer trips.