2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2023 Kia Telluride

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban exhibited a bold, truck-like design, heavily reflecting Chevrolet’s full-size truck design language. With the 2021 model year redesign, it shared stylistic elements with the Silverado 1500 pickup and the shorter Tahoe SUV. The Suburban’s tall hood, elongated proportions, and large wheels contributed to an imposing, supersized appearance. Chevrolet offered the Suburban in six trims (LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premiere, and High Country), providing multiple grille, fascia, and wheel design variations.

The RST trim, in particular, stood out. Our test model flaunted a striking Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, paired with 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels, a monochromatic black grille with Black Ice accents, and RST-specific badging and emblems. Inside, the Suburban’s cabin ranged from economically comfortable in the base LS trim to downright luxurious in the High Country trim. Our RST tester featured 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, and an optional Luxury package that added features like heated second-row outboard seats. Despite these upscale touches, the predominantly black interior and lack of bright trim made the cabin feel somewhat dark.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Telluride received significant styling updates. Sporting fresh front and rear designs, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs, the Telluride introduced new paint colors and interior hues, such as Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, Jungle Green, Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced the previous Nightfall Edition, featuring unique grille designs, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and distinctive wheel options. The X-Pro, with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, exuded a mildly aggressive off-road aura.

Inside, the Telluride’s updates were subtle yet impactful. The standout features included a new digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system housed together under a curved 24-inch piece of glass. These elements combined to give the Telluride a futuristic edge. Minor trim changes, new colors, a redesigned steering wheel, and an enhanced center console made the 2023 Telluride’s cabin both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Trim names embossed into the front seatbacks further differentiated the X-Line and X-Pro models from their counterparts.

For 2022, the Chevrolet Suburban expanded its engine options to three: a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, a robust 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The engines paired with a refined 10-speed automatic transmission equipped with electronic shift control.

The 5.3-liter V8, standard on most trims, provided adequate performance, while the 6.2-liter V8 offered a noticeable boost in power, making acceleration feel effortless even in a nearly three-ton SUV. The turbodiesel engine, though smaller in size, impressed with its torque and fuel efficiency, supporting excellent hauling and trailering capabilities with a maximum towing capacity of 8,300 pounds. The Suburban’s transition to an independent rear suspension enhanced ride quality and increased interior space, benefiting third-row and cargo areas.

Our RST test vehicle, equipped with the 6.2-liter engine, showcased its prowess during an 80-mile tow test, hauling a Chevrolet Impala sedan effortlessly. Features like hitch guidance and multiple rear camera views simplified the towing process, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its tried-and-true 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from multiple driving modes—Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow—while the AWD system included a low-speed Lock setting for distributing power evenly between the front and rear wheels.

During our drive, the V6 engine proved more than capable, returning an average of 24.1 mpg in the X-Line model. The X-Pro, although less fuel-efficient, at 20.4 mpg, showcased its off-road abilities during a test run in Texas hill country. Kia raised the suspension, improved ground clearance, and incorporated a new Downhill Brake Control system, among other updates, to bolster off-road performance. Towing capacity increased to 5,500 pounds for the X-Pro, thanks to its enhanced cooling system and all-terrain tires.

On highways, the Telluride impressed with its smooth ride quality and relatively quiet cabin, although the off-road tires on our X-Pro model added some softness in turns. Despite this, the Telluride remained easy to drive, with responsive handling and an overall pleasant driving experience.

The Chevrolet Suburban boasted exceptional space, capable of seating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat, although seven- or eight-passenger configurations were more common. The third row offered ample headroom, knee room, and legroom, making it comfortable for adults. Accessing the third row was straightforward, significantly enhancing passenger convenience.

Cargo capacity in the Suburban was unparalleled, with 41.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down—the largest in its class. The second-row seats slid forward or backward up to 5.5 inches, and both the second and third rows folded flat with ease.

The Suburban’s optional power-sliding center console added versatility, sliding rearward to uncover additional storage space. However, its massive size presented challenges in maneuvering and parking, especially in urban environments where tight spaces were common. The switch from a column-mounted shifter to electronic push-button transmission controls also required some adjustment for seasoned Suburban drivers.

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 in the SX Prestige trim. A new power lumbar stabilization system aimed to keep drivers fresh on long trips.

Second-row passengers enjoyed manual side-window sunshades, adjustable armrests, USB ports, storage pockets, and overhead controls for the climate system. Access to the third row was facilitated by a button on the second-row seats, and while space remained tight for adults, it was more accommodating than many competitors. Cargo space was ample, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The Telluride also featured a “smart” power tailgate with an automatic closing function.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured impressive tech offerings. An 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System came standard on the LS, including Bluetooth audio streaming, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice recognition. Higher trims like the LT and above upgraded to a 10.2-inch Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium System with Google built-in. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, standard on the LT and above, added a modern touch. A WiFi hotspot was standard across trims, while the audio system varied from a basic six-speaker setup in the LS to a premium Bose 10-speaker Surround with CenterPoint system in the Premier and High Country. Our RST tester’s nine-speaker Bose system provided decent sound, albeit inferior to the premium setup.

The 2023 Kia Telluride raised the bar with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services, including a new Wi-Fi hotspot. It supported voice recognition commands, though climate control required manual adjustments. The Kia Access smartphone app enabled remote control of some functions via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with OTA updates keeping the system current. Six USB charging ports ensured all passengers had access to power.

Upgrades included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, wireless smartphone charging, digital-key technology, and a Full Display Mirror providing a rear video view. The available 10-inch HUD displayed turn-by-turn navigation, driving assistance status, and blind-spot warnings. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system alerted drivers when the vehicle ahead moved at a traffic light, enhancing convenience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with comprehensive safety features as part of the Chevy Safety Assist suite. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, rear park assist, following distance indicator, automatic high-beam headlights, and an HD rear-vision camera. Additional standard features for 2022 included front park assist, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-departure warning. Optional features spanned adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, rear pedestrian alert, reverse automatic braking, lane-change assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

The Suburban earned an overall safety rating of four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the current-generation Suburban at the time of review.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered an extensive array of standard safety features. Essentials included forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning assistant, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features comprised blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and Safe Exit Assist.

Standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, Highway Drive Assist 1.5, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist added to the Telluride’s suite, while Highway Drive Assist 2.0 with Lane Change Assist was available on higher trims. The SX trim added front parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Rear Occupant Alert system with ultrasonic sensors ensured no child or pet was accidentally left in the vehicle.

Crash-test ratings for the 2023 Telluride were unavailable at the time of review.