2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Kia Telluride came equipped with fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. This SUV was available in new paint colors like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green. The interior featured updated colors such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line replaced the previous Nightfall Edition, boasting a unique grille, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro model upped the ante with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, giving both vehicles a mildly aggressive off-roader look. Interior updates included a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, all housed under a curved 24-inch piece of glass, adding modern sophistication. Other changes included a redesigned steering wheel and more functional center console.

On the exterior, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 remained stylish and elegant, competing like a small luxury SUV rather than a mass-market vehicle. Despite being compact, the CX-5 came with high-quality materials and refined design. It offered two main powertrains: a standard 187-horsepower four-cylinder and a turbocharged version producing up to 256 horsepower. With options ranging from the base 2.5 S model to the premium 2.5 Turbo Signature, the CX-5 maintained a high-quality feel across all variants. Our test vehicle, the 2.5 Turbo Signature, sported Rhodium White metallic paint and Nappa leather upholstery, enhancing its luxurious feel.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its robust 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, along with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting for more challenging terrains. During our test drive, the Telluride averaged 24.1 mpg in the X-Line model under mixed driving conditions and 20.4 mpg in the X-Pro, which included off-road driving. Rated at 21 mpg in combined driving by the EPA, the Telluride displayed a reliable balance between performance and fuel efficiency. Ground clearance was increased to 8.4 inches, and improvements in approach and departure angles, as well as a new Downhill Brake Control system, contributed to its off-road capabilities. Towing capacity was notably enhanced to 5,500 pounds in the X-Pro model.

The Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque as standard. Fuel efficiency was rated at 26 mpg for combined driving. The turbocharged variant of the same engine was a game-changer, offering up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque when using premium fuel. This turbo engine maintained an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. On twisty roads, the CX-5’s precise steering, responsive brakes, and firm suspension provided a connected driving experience. During our tests, the 2.5 Turbo model returned 21.4 mpg under a mix of driving conditions, slightly below its expected rating. Although not primarily designed for off-road use, the CX-5 included an Off-Road mode and showed commendable stability on paved surfaces with tight handling and minimal body roll.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered abundant space with configurations allowing for seven or eight passengers. Test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel in the SX Prestige trim. Second-row passengers benefited from ample comfort, manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. The third-row seats were accessible and comfortable, providing better space compared to many competitors but falling short of the Volkswagen Atlas in legroom. Storage solutions were plentiful, with a “smart” power tailgate enhancing convenience. In terms of cargo space, the Telluride provided 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

Conversely, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 underwent seat modifications for improved comfort and support. Height-adjustable seats were standard, with higher trims offering power adjustments, heated and ventilated seats, and Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5’s smaller size became apparent with limited in-cabin storage, cramped rear-row seating, and lesser cargo space. It offered 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down, lagging behind many competitors in this segment but still better than some entry-luxury models.

The 2023 Kia Telluride impressed with its 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services with a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well but couldn’t control the climate system. Kia Access offered remote control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with OTA updates and Bluetooth supporting dual-device pairing. Additional features included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, digital-key technology, a Full Display Mirror, and an enhanced 10-inch head-up display showing critical driving information.

Mazda’s CX-5, despite having a visually appealing 10.25-inch display, suffered from user-interface shortcomings. The Mazda Connect system’s physical controls were awkward and distracting, requiring multiple steps to execute functions. Unlike other brands, Mazda didn’t offer a robust voice recognition system, and navigating through menus was cumbersome. However, the system still included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services, and SiriusXM. The higher trims boasted a 10-speaker Bose audio system and a useful surround-view camera system, enhancing parking and maneuverability.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered an extensive suite of safety features. It included forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additionally, Safe Exit Assist, adaptive cruise control with curve-dependent speed reduction, Highway Drive Assist, collision avoidance, and a Rear Occupant Alert were among the comprehensive safety measures. Highway Drive Assist 2.0 worked seamlessly in traffic, providing confidence and convenience on the move. As of publication, crash-test ratings were not yet available for the 2023 Telluride.

The Mazda CX-5 shone in its safety technology, offering a plethora of features under the i-Activsense banner. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and an Active Driving Display in higher trims. Exclusive features for the top trims included a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. However, Mazda missed out on providing a nighttime headlight warning system, which is crucial for safety. On the upside, the 2023 CX-5 boasted excellent crash-test ratings, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.