2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 showcased a unique styling that landed somewhere between the Cyberpunk angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional looks of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. Cadillac's trademark design cues, like the bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights, were present but created a somewhat ungainly mix when paired with the XT5’s compact footprint and tall profile. The Premium Luxury trim flaunted bright chrome for a classic Cadillac appeal, while the Sport version featured darker trims and a mesh grille for a sportier look. The XT5 Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came with 18-inch alloy wheels, whereas the Sport models sported standard 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the XT5’s interior felt suitably luxurious, particularly with the optional Platinum Package, which added features like semi-aniline leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, and other high-end materials. However, without this package, it was unclear if the XT5 met luxury standards. The interior design lacked a strong thematic presence and didn't offer brand-specific markers like those found in competitors such as Audi, BMW, or Mercedes.

In comparison, the 2023 Kia Telluride received a complete front and rear styling refresh, updated head and taillights, and new wheel designs. Its new paint options included vibrant shades like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, and the interior offered fresh colors such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The Telluride X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition with a unique grille, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro model added exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road aesthetic.

The Telluride’s significant interior changes included a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrumentation panel mounted under a single 24-inch curved glass piece, giving it a futuristic look. Updates like new colors, a redesigned steering wheel, and functional modifications to the center console were less obvious but contributed to an overall fresh feel.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with two engine options. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine provided 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims. The optional 3.6-liter V6, which became standard on the Sport version, offered a more robust 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that delivered smooth shifts and a nimble, responsive feel. Although not a performance car, the V6 in the Premium Luxury variant felt more than adequate for daily driving.

The XT5’s Platinum Package included a “performance suspension” with adaptive dampers, which proved excellent for traditional luxury driving, delivering a smooth ride while maintaining good body control. The steering was well-calibrated for a luxury vehicle, making the XT5 feel nimble without being overly nervous, and the cabin remained impressively quiet, enhancing the overall driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Telluride maintained its existing 3.8-liter V6 engine, which produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the AWD system offering a low-speed Lock setting for better traction. During tests, the Telluride delivered a smooth, comfortable ride, with a combined fuel efficiency of 24.1 mpg in the X-Line and 20.4 mpg in the X-Pro, despite the latter’s off-road excursions.

Kia enhanced the Telluride’s off-road capabilities by raising the suspension 10mm, increasing ground clearance to 8.4 inches, and adding a new Downhill Brake Control system. The X-Pro model further included 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and an improved cooling system, boosting towing capacity from 5,000 to 5,500 pounds.

The Telluride’s on-road performance was equally impressive, providing a comfortable, quiet, and connected drive. The only minor drawback was the slightly squishy feel in turns with the all-terrain tires and an overly firm steering in Sport mode.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space, boasting more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, yet slightly less than the BMW X3. It also had more legroom in both rows compared to these German models but trailed behind in rear headroom. Though the seats were comfortable, they fell short of luxury standards with narrow bottom cushions and overall inadequate padding.

Cargo space in the XT5 was generous, with 30 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with them folded down. These figures outperformed rivals like the Q5, X3, and GLC but not the Infiniti QX50. Additional features included a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen and a hands-free power liftgate.

On the other hand, the 2023 Kia Telluride excelled in interior space and comfort. Offering seating for seven or eight passengers, it featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and heated and ventilated front and second-row captain’s chairs, particularly in the SX Prestige trim. A new power lumbar stabilization system further enhanced driver comfort during long trips. The second-row seats were comfortable, equipped with manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and smart storage solutions.

Although not as spacious as the Volkswagen Atlas, the Telluride’s third-row seating was more comfortable than many of its competitors. Storage space was ample, and the smart power tailgate with proximity sensing was handy, though it could open unintentionally if not disabled via the infotainment system. Cargo capacity included 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional tech upgrades included an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. Despite usability improvements over previous models, the XT5’s tech still lagged behind competitors offering larger screens, slicker graphics, and better voice-recognition systems. The rotary controller and scattered buttons complicated usage, and the capacitive touchpads lacked physical feedback. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality.

For 2023, Kia made a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard in all Telluride models, with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate controls remained manual. Additional Kia Access app features and OTA updates ensured the system stayed current.

The Telluride also included six USB charging ports, Driver Talk and Quiet Mode functions, and optional upgrades such as a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and wireless smartphone charging. New digital-key technology turned smartphones or smartwatches into keys, and the Full Display Mirror offered a clear rear video view. A larger head-up display, improved over the previous version, displayed a wealth of useful information.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with important safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assists, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking, while the Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-view camera, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 earned top scores from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it received lower ratings for its headlights and LATCH child seat anchors.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered an extensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, a junction turning system, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assist. The Safe Exit Assist and adaptive cruise control systems added further security. For 2023, Kia introduced Highway Drive Assist 1.5, with the option for Highway Drive Assist 2.0 on higher trims, offering semi-autonomous driving on highways.

Higher trims added front parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and other advanced collision avoidance systems. A Rear Occupant Alert system ensured child safety by detecting movement in the back seats. The Telluride’s forward collision warning system provided effective, yet non-alarming alerts.