2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2023 Kia Telluride

The 2023 Kia Telluride sported fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and striking new wheel designs. Paint options like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green added to its appeal. Interior updates included new colors such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green, with modifications to the trim, steering wheel, and center console. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition and featured a raised suspension, unique grille, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro upped the ante with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires.

Kia's interior updates were subtle yet impactful. A new digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a 24-inch glass cockpit display, were the most notable changes. Minor trim modifications, a redesigned steering wheel, and functional center console adjustments were among the other tweaks. X-Line and X-Pro trims also featured embossed names on the upper portion of the front seatbacks.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer, in contrast, leaned more towards a road-car look with a sleek profile defined by a low roofline and big grille framed by stacked headlights. Blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels gave it a striking appearance. Small updates for 2023 included new taillights, tweaked grille designs, and new LED headlights and daytime running lights.

Inside, the Blazer showcased a sportier design with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro. Cloth seats were standard, but higher trims offered leather upholstery. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard across the models. The RS trim added blue trim, chrome touches, and a dark blue and black two-tone upholstery scheme.

Mechanically, the 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with AWD models featuring a low-speed Lock setting for power distribution between the front and rear wheels. The V6 efficiently powered the Telluride, with an average of 24.1 mpg in the X-Line and 20.4 mpg in the X-Pro. The AWD models were rated for 21 mpg in combined driving.

Kia enhanced the off-road capability of the X-Line and X-Pro models by raising the suspension, increasing ground clearance to 8.4 inches, and modifying the traction control system. The Telluride's new Downhill Brake Control system was a standout, ensuring better control on steep descents. The X-Pro, with its 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, also featured an improved cooling system increasing towing capacity from 5,000 to 5,500 pounds.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer kept its powertrain options unchanged from the 2022 model year. Most Blazer models came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer RS and the optional 3LT and Premier trims came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Blazer models offered standard FWD with optional AWD, which drivers had to manually engage via a console knob. The V6 engine provided impressive acceleration and a sporty exhaust note, especially with AWD engaged. Active Noise Cancellation and a well-tuned suspension made highway driving pleasant, though the 21-inch wheels slightly compromised ride quality. The Blazer's AWD system and suspension were meant for pavement, not off-roading, with a 4,500-pound towing capacity for V6 models with the trailering package.

The 2023 Kia Telluride provided a spacious seven or eight-passenger capacity, depending on the second-row configuration. Our test vehicles boasted premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front and second-row captain’s chairs. Both front seats were exceptionally comfortable, aided by a new power lumbar stabilization system.

The second-row seats were similarly comfortable, featuring a Wi-Fi hotspot, manual side-window sunshades, adjustable armrests, USB ports, and storage pockets. Access to the third-row seating was easier for larger adults compared to some rivals, although it couldn't match the Volkswagen Atlas for leg support. In terms of cargo space, the Telluride offered 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.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, positioning itself against rivals like the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, and Nissan Murano. Front-seat headroom matched its competitors, while rear-seat headroom lagged slightly but was better than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Legroom was ample in both rows. Despite its spacious feel, the Blazer fell short in cargo capacity, with 30.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. This was notably less than the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano.

The Blazer's functional details included strategically placed USB ports and innovative controls like twisting the outer rings of the center-stack air vents to adjust the temperature, adding to its practicality.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all models, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and Kia Connect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system worked effectively, though it couldn’t adjust the climate control. The Kia Access app enabled remote control of vehicle functions via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with OTA updates ensuring the infotainment system remained up-to-date. Passengers had access to six USB charging ports.

Driver Talk and Quiet Mode were standard, enhancing communication and comfort within the cabin. Upgrades included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, wireless smartphone charging, digital-key technology, and a Full Display Mirror. A head-up display (HUD) offered a 10-inch viewing area with additional information including navigation and driving assistance status.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer saw tech upgrades including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging. The RS and Premier trims boasted built-in navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Standard tech features included Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The Blazer’s infotainment system maintained an intuitive interface with easy menu navigation. A downside was the lack of a dedicated button for the optional 360-degree camera system. The RS and Premier trims also featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display complementing the analog gauges.

Kia equipped the 2023 Telluride with an extensive list of standard safety features, expanding its ADAS for the model year. Standard features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and Safe Exit Assist were also standard.

Additional safety enhancements in higher trims included Highway Drive Assist 2.0, which combined adaptive cruise control and lane-centering for semi-autonomous highway driving, front parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system with ultrasonic sensors to detect movement in the cabin.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer had a standard Chevy Safety Assist Package that included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control became available on more trims, with other optional features including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and GM’s Teen Driver monitoring system.

For crash-test ratings, the 2023 Blazer received high marks. The IIHS awarded it “Good” ratings in all six crash-test categories, with “Superior” and “Advanced” ratings for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA gave the Blazer a five-star overall safety rating.