2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and more aggressive styling that blurred the line between a station wagon and an off-road vehicle. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, it featured all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its distinctive look, while the exclusive Geyser Blue paint and robust roof rack system enhanced its adventurous appeal. Inside, the Outback Wilderness was outfitted with dark gray StarTex upholstery, Anodized Copper stitching, and all-weather floor mats, creating a durable and functional interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models showcased fresh styling with updated headlights, taillights, and new wheel designs. The Telluride offered a range of new paint colors and interior hues, enhancing its modern and sophisticated appearance. The X-Line featured a raised suspension, unique grille, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro added 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires for a more off-road-ready look. Inside, the Telluride boasted a digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, providing a futuristic feel. The interior updates included new colors, a redesigned steering wheel, and improved center console functionality, making the Telluride a stylish and comfortable choice for families.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power for the 3,896-pound vehicle, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Outback Wilderness achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world tests showed an average of 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Wilderness trim featured a lifted suspension, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, making it capable off-road. It also had improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with a dual-function X-Mode traction system for enhanced off-road performance.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting. The X-Line averaged 24.1 mpg, while the X-Pro returned 20.4 mpg, including off-roading. The Telluride's suspension was raised by 10mm, with 8.4 inches of ground clearance and improved approach and departure angles. The X-Pro model increased towing capacity to 5,500 pounds and featured a self-leveling rear air suspension, making it a strong performer both on and off the road.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant material that kept seats dry but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger. The rear seat offered generous space for two adults or three children, with heated seats and dual USB ports. The cargo area provided 32.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats. The SX Prestige trim included heated and ventilated front and second-row captain’s chairs, along with a heated steering wheel. The second row featured manual sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets, while the third row offered more comfort than many competitors. The Telluride's cargo space was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down. A smart power tailgate and automatic closing function added convenience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring physical knobs for volume and tuning but relying on the touchscreen for most functions. Voice recognition technology required specific prompts, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system option, but it did include PIN code entry technology for secure access without a key fob.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and navigation. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate control adjustments required manual input. Kia Connect services included a Wi-Fi hotspot, and the system supported dual Bluetooth device pairing. The Telluride offered Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging, and digital-key technology. A Full Display Mirror and a larger head-up display were also available, enhancing the Telluride's technological appeal.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. It also featured steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback Wilderness lacked Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology, but its EyeSight system was effective and user-friendly. The 2021 Outback received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and automatic emergency braking. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2023 included a junction turning system, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Highway Drive Assist 2.0 with Lane Change Assist. The Telluride also had a Rear Occupant Alert system and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride's safety systems were effective and user-friendly, though crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.