2022 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was a testament to Volvo’s evolution from its boxy origins into a sleek, family-friendly, and safety-oriented luxury SUV. With origins dating back to 2003, the XC90 in its 2022 form stood as Volvo’s flagship SUV. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, the XC90 presented a poised and forward-leaning stance, its sleek roofline betraying none of the bulk or height typical of large SUVs.

The XC90’s athleticism was emphasized through its pronounced wheel arches and snub nose reminiscent of the classic 245 wagon. The exterior fit and finish conveyed quality, enriched by details such as the LED "Thor's Hammer" headlights that paid homage to its Swedish roots.

Inside, the XC90 championed Scandinavian Modern and Swedish Luxury with its natural wood and metal trim, including exquisite touches like the crystal gear selector and sliding wood tambor cover on the center console. The available materials ranged from luxurious Nappa leather to a tailored wool blend upholstery, with the former being a staple for ventilated front seats. Our test vehicle’s leather seats proved comfortable even in high temperatures and humidity.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Telluride boasted muscular design and balanced proportions, with trendy blacked-out wheels and a slightly revised grille pattern for 2022. The Telluride's exterior projected rugged sophistication, appealing to a broad audience.

Inside the Telluride, the interior design was upscale and practical, featuring functional grab handles, overhead air vents, and cleverly integrated USB ports. Dual-zone and single-zone automatic climate control kept all passengers comfortable, and options ranged from Kia’s SynTex simulated leather to real leather and Nappa leather in the SX Prestige package. Despite its high-quality materials and features like dual sunroof panels and a Smart Power Liftgate, the glossy plastic in the lower cabin could appear cheap against the otherwise refined interior.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered diverse powertrains to suit varied preferences. The T5 models featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant used a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, producing 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier T8 combined this engine with an electric motor, boasting a robust 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. While the T5 models offered both FWD and AWD, the T6 and T8 were AWD only.

The T8 Inscription extended range model, which we tested, delivered spirited acceleration with its electric motor eliminating turbo lag and providing a smooth power delivery. Fuel efficiency varied across models, with T5 FWD achieving an estimated 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway, and the extended range T8 offering 66 MPGe with up to a 36-mile electric vehicle range.

Conversely, the 2022 Kia Telluride came equipped with a sole engine choice—a 3.8-liter V6 producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided sufficient power and a commendable driving experience. The AWD option included a Lock mode for even power distribution, enhancing its performance on snow and muddy roads.

Driving modes like Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport, along with 20-inch wheels on the SX, contributed to a balanced ride quality. The Telluride also incorporated a brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system. During testing, the Telluride matched its official EPA rating, achieving 21.1 mpg in combined driving, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered versatile seating with six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, featuring second-row captain's chairs or three-across seating. Access to the third row was facilitated by a one-handed slide and fold mechanism, though the third row was best suited for children due to limited legroom and support.

Cargo capacity in the XC90 was impressive, providing 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 85.7 cubic feet with both rows down. Towing capacity ranged from 4,000 to 5,000 pounds, suitable for light-duty towing. The XC90’s interior space was utilized effectively, with ample storage and a standard panoramic moonroof enhancing the airy feel.

Similarly, the 2022 Kia Telluride excelled in balancing form and function. Its upscale interior included practical elements such as grab handles and overhead air vents, alongside thoughtful details like rear smartphone storage pouches and accessible cupholders.

With seating for adults in all three rows, though the third row was less preferred, the Telluride impressed with its 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with it down, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet. The Telluride's flat load floor proved practical during an Ikea run, demonstrating its adeptness at carrying large items.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which utilized a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. However, during testing, the interface was occasionally glitchy and slow. The system integrated seamlessly with an iPhone 11 Pro via Apple CarPlay, and it offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with crisp graphics. The optional Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and an advanced air cleaner.

For audiophiles, the optional $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system was a standout, providing immersive audio experience. Standard connectivity features included two sets of front USB-A and rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a complimentary trial subscription to the Volvo Care app.

Meanwhile, every 2022 Kia Telluride came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring navigation. However, the shift to this larger screen necessitated wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections. The Telluride housed USB charging ports accessible to all three rows, with a wireless smartphone charging pad standard on all but the LX trim.

The Kia Connect platform provided a range of connected services, including emergency assistance, remote features, and safe teen driving alerts. The Telluride also featured a standard Quiet Mode and a Driver Talk function to enhance family trips. Our SX test vehicle boasted a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a helpful surround-view monitoring system.

Safety was a cornerstone of the 2022 Volvo XC90. Continuing its commitment to the Vision 2020 campaign, the vehicle came equipped with numerous safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, and more. Volvo's Pilot Assist system provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, making highway driving less stressful and safer.

The XC90 earned top safety ratings, receiving the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, reinforcing its reputation as a safe family vehicle.

The 2022 Kia Telluride also prioritized safety with the Kia Drive Wise suite of driver assistance technologies. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The new Smart Cruise Control-Curve system, though useful, was found to be somewhat annoying during testing.

Additionally, the Telluride offered Safe Exit Assist and Blind-Spot View Monitor technologies, enhancing safety during parking and lane changes. Crash tests awarded the Telluride a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a “Top Safety Pick” designation from the IIHS, although it missed the “Top Safety Pick+” due to headlight ratings.