2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models showcased a refreshed design with updated front and rear styling, new headlights and taillights, and redesigned wheels. The SUV offered new paint colors like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, along with interior color options such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line model replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a unique grille, raised roof rails, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro model added exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. Inside, the Telluride boasted a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch glass piece, giving the interior a modern touch. Other interior updates included new colors, minor trim changes, and a redesigned steering wheel, with the X-Line and X-Pro trims featuring embossed trim names on the front seatbacks.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester maintained a familiar design, reminiscent of previous models, especially in the Cascade Green Silica paint. The Forester came in various trims, including Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring, with prices ranging from $26,395 to $36,495, excluding the destination charge. The Touring trim, which we tested, featured 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, along with robust roof rails capable of supporting a tent. Inside, the Forester Touring offered Saddle Brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, with a traditional Subaru design featuring analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The interior was practical, with a mix of buttons and knobs for easy control, though the overall appearance was busy. Despite the abundance of hard plastic, the cabin was easy to clean, and the Forester's back-to-basics nature was appreciated.

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 averaged 24.1 mpg, while the X-Pro returned 20.4 mpg, with official EPA ratings suggesting 21 mpg in combined driving for AWD models. The X-Line and X-Pro models had a raised suspension, increased ground clearance, and improved approach and departure angles, enhancing off-road performance. The X-Pro model also featured 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and an improved cooling system, increasing towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. The Telluride excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing its AWD Lock mode, ground clearance, and stability. On highways, it offered a smooth ride with minimal wind noise, though the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishier in turns.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, powered all four wheels through a CVT with eight programmed ratios. The SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for quicker responses, while the X-Mode off-road traction management system provided various driving modes. The Forester Wilderness trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, but our test focused on the Touring model. Despite challenging weather conditions, the Forester handled flooded roads and muddy trails with ease, inspiring confidence. On dry roads, the Forester Touring felt livelier than expected, thanks to its lighter weight compared to the Outback Touring. The Forester's driving dynamics were impressive, with light and accurate steering, responsive brakes, and excellent suspension tuning. However, the engine remained merely adequate, and the Forester returned 25.9 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 29 mpg in combined driving. A turbocharged engine or hybrid option would be welcome additions.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs in the SX Prestige trim. The interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second-row seats were also comfortable, with manual sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. Access to the third-row seating area was easy, and the third-row seat was more comfortable than many competitors. The Telluride provided ample storage space, with a smart power tailgate and generous cargo capacity. It offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering practicality and simplicity. The Premium trim included a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and more. Higher trims offered StarTex artificial leather or genuine leather, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester excelled in outward visibility, with tall glass and thin pillars providing excellent spatial awareness. Entry and exit were effortless, though the panoramic sunroof lacked sufficient tinting, causing solar heating. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats lacked leg support and had a reclined backrest angle. The Forester's doors were well-sealed, and interior storage was plentiful. The cargo area was usefully shaped, with hooks, tie-downs, and hidden storage. It offered 26.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 69.1 cubic feet with the back seat folded, with slightly more space in the Base trim.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and Kia Connect services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate control adjustments required manual input. The Kia Access app allowed remote control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with OTA updates keeping the system current. The Telluride included six USB ports, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode, with upgrades like a Harman Kardon sound system and wireless charging. Digital-key technology and a Full Display Mirror were available, along with a head-up display showing navigation and safety information. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, notifying drivers when traffic ahead moved.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated but was functional. The Base trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium trim added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's older Starlink system was user-friendly, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs and buttons. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, struggling with basic commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were recommended for navigation and other functions.

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, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Safe Exit Assist system warned occupants when it was unsafe to open the doors. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist were standard, along with Highway Drive Assist 1.5 and 2.0 for semi-autonomous driving. The SX trim added collision avoidance features, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. The Telluride also had automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Models with blind-spot monitoring included Automatic Emergency Steering, assisting with obstacle avoidance. The Wilderness and Touring trims had Rear Automatic Braking, though it was overly sensitive. The Touring trim also had a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. The Forester's EyeSight system performed well, though it received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, down from the previous year's Top Safety Pick+ award. It earned an Acceptable rating in a new side-impact test and a Marginal rating in a small-overlap frontal-impact test. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings and a four-star rollover resistance rating.