2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The 2023 Kia Telluride gained significant attention with its fresh front and rear styling, stylish updated headlights and taillights, and several new wheel designs. Kia introduced new paint colors for the model, including Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, while offering interior colors such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. Perhaps the most notable changes were the replacement of the Nightfall Edition with the X-Line, featuring a unique grille design, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro took things even further, incorporating exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, which, along with the updated bumper designs, lent the Telluride a mildly aggressive off-road look.

Despite exterior updates, interior changes were more subtle. The standout enhancement inside was the inclusion of an available digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both residing under a curved 24-inch piece of glass. Together, these features gave the Telluride a modern and futuristic feel. Other interior updates included new colors, minor trim changes, a redesigned steering wheel, and a more functional center console. Both the X-Line and X-Pro had their respective trim names embossed into the front seatbacks.

The pricing for the 2023 Telluride started at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $35,690 for the LX with front-wheel drive (FWD) and rose to $52,785 for the SX Prestige X-Pro with all-wheel drive (AWD). These values were further increased by a destination charge of $1,335. The models tested included the SX Prestige X-Line, painted in Wolf Gray, priced at $54,120 including destination, and the SX Prestige X-Pro, showcasing the new Midnight Lake Blue paint, priced at $55,120.

Conversely, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, the 2023 Dodge Durango presented a familiar yet attractive face. Dodge shunned the faux ruggedness of many of its competitors, opting for a cleaner, almost car-like styling. The Durango defied the trend of oversized grilles, featuring slim styling with forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake, maintaining presence without following the big-grille trend. At the back, Dodge's signature “racetrack” taillights gave the Durango a distinctive look.

The muscular SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models introduced unique styling features but were fairly subtle, marked primarily by a Viper-like hood with a functional center air inlet and heat extractors. These models also received unique wheels and a different front fascia with a chin splitter, engine-oil cooler duct, and cold-air induction snorkel. Some of these SRT styling features were available as part of the Blacktop Package on Dodge Durango R/T and GT models. Dodge doubled the number of available colors for 2023, adding Frostbite, Night Moves, Red Oxide, and Triple Nickel.

Inside, the Durango didn't offer as many distinctive styling features as the exterior, but it remained a comfortable and inviting space. The materials used in the lower trim levels were suited to their price points, but higher trims like the Durango Citadel offered more luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The Durango SRT Hellcat made a bold statement with red leather upholstery.

Mechanically, the 2023 Kia Telluride remained largely unchanged, featuring a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, and the available AWD system included a low-speed Lock setting for even power distribution between the front and rear wheels. The Telluride performed well, with the X-Line model averaging 24.1 mpg and the X-Pro averaging 20.4 mpg, although the latter included half an hour of off-roading.

Kia enhanced the X-Line and X-Pro models with a raised suspension, an increase in ground clearance to 8.4 inches, and improved approach and departure angles. An off-road-focused Downhill Brake Control system also made its debut, proving effective in controlled environments. The X-Pro further included 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, an improved cooling system, and a towing capacity of 5,500 pounds. On highways, the Telluride delivered a smooth ride with minimal wind noise, handling twisty roads better in Comfort mode.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This was followed by the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the Durango R/T and optional on the Citadel, producing 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The Durango SRT 392 upped the ante with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 producing 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

The pinnacle of performance came with the Durango SRT Hellcat, equipped with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. This enabled the Hellcat to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds. Despite its size, the Hellcat showed remarkable acceleration, making highway driving exhilarating. Wind and tire noise were minimal, and the supercharger whine and exhaust rumble added to the thrill. The adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, and Brembo brakes made handling manageable even with such power.

The 2023 Kia Telluride provided seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. The test models featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The interior offered ample space and comfort, with front seats that proved comfortable on long trips, aided by a new power lumbar stabilization system. The second-row seats were also comfortable, featuring manually-operated side-window sunshades, adjustable inboard armrests, and conveniently placed USB ports.

The Telluride’s third-row seating area facilitated easier access for larger adults compared to some competitors. However, it still couldn’t match the Volkswagen Atlas for overall room. Cargo space was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, expanding to 46 cubic feet with it folded down, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with all rear seats folded flat. A smart power tailgate with proximity sensing simplified cargo loading, although it required careful operation to avoid accidental openings.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seating for six or seven passengers. The SXT, GT, and R/T trims came with a standard three-seat second-row bench, while the Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain’s chairs, also optional on GT and R/T models. Dodge ensured that headroom and legroom were competitive with other three-row SUVs, although cargo space was somewhat compromised. The Durango provided 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 43.3 cubic feet with the third-row folded, and a maximum of 85.1 cubic feet.

Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and strategically placed USB ports. Models with second-row captain’s chairs featured a large center console. While a power liftgate was available, the absence of a power-folding third row was disappointing, especially on higher trims like the Citadel and SRT Hellcat. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds and 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8 models towing up to 8,700 pounds.

Every 2023 Kia Telluride came with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and Kia Connect services, including a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system handled standard commands well, though climate control required manual adjustments. The Kia Access app allowed remote control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with over-the-air updates keeping the system current.

The Telluride offered six USB charging ports, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, wireless smartphone charging, and new digital-key technology. It also featured a Full Display Mirror showing a video view of the rear, an optional head-up display (HUD) with a 10-inch viewing area, and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system to notify drivers when traffic starts moving. Driver Talk and Quiet Mode features improved communication within the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT models, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on the Citadel and SRT models. The smaller screen used the older Uconnect 4C system, while the larger screen employed Uconnect 5. Both systems provided Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless functionality on Uconnect 5.

The working combination of the larger touchscreen and Uconnect 5 proved responsive and user-friendly. SRT models featured unique Easter Eggs, adding a playful touch to the robust infotainment system. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat also included the Performance Pages app, displaying performance metrics such as timers, a g-force meter, and additional engine gauges. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat.

The 2023 Kia Telluride was packed with standard safety features and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). It included forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and Safe Exit Assist.

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, Highway Drive Assist 1.5, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist were also standard. Highway Drive Assist 2.0 added Lane Change Assist, and SX trims upwards included more advanced collision avoidance features. Additional safety elements were front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, Blind-Spot View Monitor, automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, a Rear Occupant Alert system, and the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert.

The 2023 Dodge Durango had varied crash-test results, receiving top marks in the IIHS's original-format tests but mixed scores in other areas. NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with higher ratings in side crash tests but lower in frontal and rollover tests.

Standard driver-assist tech was limited. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims, but forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking were standard only on the Citadel and optional on other trims, not available on the base SXT model.