2022 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Kia Telluride was a striking midsize SUV that captivated consumers with its muscular design and balanced proportions. It featured trendy blacked-out wheels and trim, which added to its handsome appearance. Kia made minimal changes to the Telluride for 2022, only altering the grille pattern slightly and updating the badges. The Telluride was available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with prices ranging from $32,790 to $44,590, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. The interior of the Telluride was well-organized and visually appealing, though the glossy plastic in the lower cabin detracted from its overall upscale feel. Despite this, the Telluride offered numerous standard features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and advanced driving aids.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester maintained a more utilitarian design, reminiscent of its predecessors. The Forester was available in Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $26,395 and reaching $36,495, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. The Touring trim, which we tested, featured 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, enhancing its appearance. The Forester's interior was functional, with Saddle Brown leather and metallic accents in the Touring trim. Despite its abundance of hard plastic, the cabin was easy to clean. The Forester's control layout relied on traditional buttons and knobs, making it user-friendly. However, the overall design was busy, both inside and out, reflecting its focus on practicality over aesthetics.

The 2022 Kia Telluride was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for its size. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the Telluride offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The AWD system included a Lock mode for even power distribution between the axles. Despite its eight inches of ground clearance, the Telluride was best suited for well-traveled paths due to limited wheel articulation. It performed well in various conditions, including snow and mud, and offered a smooth ride on dry pavement. The Telluride's driving modes included Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport, and it featured a brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system. The Telluride achieved an EPA fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) with a Sport mode. The Forester's X-Mode off-road traction management system offered various driving modes, including Snow and Dirt, with additional settings for the Sport trim. The Forester Wilderness trim provided enhanced off-road capabilities. During testing, the Forester Touring demonstrated confidence in adverse weather conditions, handling flooded roads and muddy trails with ease. The Forester's driving dynamics were commendable, with responsive steering, effective brakes, and excellent suspension tuning. However, the engine was merely adequate, and the Forester returned 25.9 mpg on the testing route, falling short of the EPA rating of 29 mpg.

The 2022 Kia Telluride excelled in balancing form and function, with an upscale and organized interior. It featured thoughtful details such as overhead air vents, rear smartphone storage pouches, and USB ports in the front seatbacks. The Telluride offered dual-zone automatic climate control for the front seats and a single-zone system for the rear. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. The Telluride's three rows of seats were comfortable for adults, with a one-touch sliding and folding second-row seat mechanism for easy access to the third row. The Telluride provided ample storage space, with 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, expanding to 87 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a focus on simplicity and substance. The Forester Premium trim offered features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims included StarTex artificial leather or genuine leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester's outward visibility was excellent, thanks to its tall glass and thin windshield pillars. However, the panoramic sunroof lacked sufficient tinting, leading to solar heating in the cabin. The Forester's interior storage was plentiful, with well-sealed doors and a usefully shaped cargo area. It offered 26.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.1 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Kia Telluride came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including navigation and voice recognition technology. However, it lost wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, requiring a wired connection. The Telluride featured USB charging ports in all three rows and a wireless smartphone charging pad in most trims. Kia Connect provided connected services, including emergency assistance, remote engine start, and smart speaker integration. The Telluride also offered a Quiet Mode and Driver Talk function for managing audio and communication within the vehicle. The SX trim included a Harman Kardon sound system, head-up display, and surround-view monitoring system.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated at first glance, but it offered practical features. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs and buttons. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation and communication.

The 2022 Kia Telluride prioritized safety with its Kia Drive Wise suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Telluride also featured Highway Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Smart Cruise Control-Curve system used GPS data to predict curves and adjust speed accordingly. Safe Exit Assist warned occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS.

The 2023 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight collection of driving assistance technologies, with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Models with blind-spot monitoring added Automatic Emergency Steering for obstacle avoidance. The Forester Wilderness and Touring trims included Rear Automatic Braking, though it could be overly sensitive. The Touring trim featured a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with some areas of concern in new tests. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings and a four-star rollover resistance rating.