2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Audi Q5

During our time in Texas, we explored the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models, which featured refreshed front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The Telluride offered new paint colors like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, along with fresh interior hues such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, boasting a raised suspension, unique grille design, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro added exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. Inside, the Telluride introduced a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch glass piece, pushing the SUV into a more modern era.

The 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, presenting a classy yet sporty exterior. Available in two body styles, the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, the latter featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. Despite its age, the Q5's interior remained refined with a simple layout, offering leather seating and heated front seats as standard. The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though not as large as some competitors, provided good material quality. The Q5 maintained a sturdy build quality, ensuring a quiet and solid ride, making it a reliable choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its mechanical prowess with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting for power distribution. The Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models had raised suspensions, improved ground clearance, and enhanced off-road capabilities. The X-Pro, equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, increased towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. The Telluride excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing its stability and traction control, while providing a smooth and quiet ride on highways.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices: the base 40 TFSI with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower, the midrange 45 TFSI with 261 horsepower, and the 55 TFSI plug-in hybrid with 362 horsepower. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro AWD. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery, affecting initial acceleration. However, the Q5 provided sporty handling, precise steering, and a balance between compliance and cornering, ensuring a comfortable and quiet ride.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered seating for 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. The Telluride provided ample interior space, with comfortable front and second-row seats, and a third-row seat more accommodating than many competitors. Storage space was plentiful, with a smart power tailgate and generous cargo capacity, offering 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018, featuring a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen and traditional dials for climate controls. The Q5 provided good outward visibility and ample space for taller passengers, with the Sportback model only slightly reducing headroom. Front passengers had several storage options, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 offered 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with the Sportback slightly reducing it to 24.7 cubic feet, providing competitive storage capacity in its class.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a navigation system. It featured a voice recognition system, Kia Connect services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Telluride offered upgrades like a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, and digital-key technology. It also included a Full Display Mirror and a head-up display with a 10-inch viewing area. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, alerting drivers when traffic started moving.

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a Bang & Olufsen audio system on higher trims. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, offering features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Mid-range trims included a customizable digital instrument panel, providing comprehensive information when needed.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a new junction turning system. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist. The Telluride featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Drive Assist 1.5, with Highway Drive Assist 2.0 available on higher trims. Additional safety features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, and a Rear Occupant Alert system.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning five stars for overall protection and a Top Safety Pick+ designation. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Q5 Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist and a surround-view camera system, while the Prestige trim offered matrix-design LED headlights and a semi-automated parking system.