2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2023 Kia Telluride

During our time in Texas, we sampled the new 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models, so our commentary was based on these versions of the SUV. All Tellurides received fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. New paint colors included Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, while the fresh interior colors were Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green.

The Telluride X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition in the lineup. In addition to a raised suspension, the X-Line had a unique grille design, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro took that a step further with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. In combination with the updated bumper designs, both looked the part of a mildly aggressive off-roader. Interior updates were not as obvious, with the biggest difference being the available digital instrumentation panel and the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The XC40 had been around for a few years but remained distinctive, combining Volvo’s current design language with a flat-roofed profile that was very SUV-like. Like other current Volvo models, the XC40 also boasted a clean exterior without extraneous detailing. Models with gasoline engines had hidden tailpipes in keeping with Volvo’s pro-electrification ethos, while fog lights were standard on Plus and Ultimate models.

For 2023, Volvo made some updates to the exterior styling. The automaker’s signature “Thor’s Hammer” headlights had a new pixelated design, the front bumper was now a bit more angular than before, and new wheel designs populated the options list. Even current XC40 owners would probably take a minute to spot these differences, although it was easier to identify a 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge, thanks to a new sealed-off grille taken from the C40 Recharge. The XC40 shared Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform with the Volvo C40 Recharge and the Polestar 2 electric vehicles, making the XC40 the only CMA-based model sold in the U.S. that was available with a combustion engine.

Mechanically, the 2023 Kia Telluride was largely the same as before. It had a 3.8-liter V6 engine making 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could select from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, and the available AWD system also had a low-speed Lock setting that evenly distributed power between the front and rear wheels.

The V6 easily motivated the Telluride, and we averaged 24.1 mpg in the X-Line. The drive included some heavy traffic and twisty roads, but otherwise, it was all highway. We used Comfort mode except when on the more entertaining sections of the route, for which we switched into Sport mode. The X-Pro was less efficient, returning 20.4 mpg, but that included half an hour of off-roading with the drivetrain in Lock mode. According to official EPA fuel economy ratings, the 2023 Telluride with AWD should get 21 mpg in combined driving.

A big change for the 2023 model year was under the hood of the Volvo XC40, where Volvo swapped in mild-hybrid powertrains as part of its push to give each model in its U.S. lineup at least some degree of electrification. These added a 48-volt electrical system and 13-horsepower integrated starter generator, which assisted the gasoline engine and allowed for more use of the engine start/stop system to improve fuel economy, while also filling gaps in its power delivery for added smoothness.

Volvo offered two versions of this setup in the 2023 XC40. The base B4 powertrain teamed the mild-hybrid system with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 197 hp and 221 pound-feet of torque. B5 models got a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard with both powertrains, and the B4 was FWD-only, while the B5 was AWD-only.

Depending on the second-row seating configuration, the Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers. Our test vehicles had premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The second-row seats were ventilated with SX Prestige trim. A heated steering wheel was also on the SX Prestige equipment list.

There was plenty of room inside the 2023 Telluride. Both front seats proved comfortable during our ride-and-drive, and a new power lumbar stabilization system aimed to stimulate drivers every 30 or 60 minutes to keep them fresh and alert on long trips. The second-row seats were quite comfortable, with manual side-window sunshades, adjustable inboard armrests, USB ports conveniently located on the front seatbacks, and storage pockets including separate slots for smartphones. The third-row seat was more comfortable than what you’d find in some midsize SUVs, though it couldn’t match the Volkswagen Atlas for leg support and overall room.

Despite being marketed as SUVs, the Volvo XC40 and its rivals were still fairly small vehicles that were better suited to solo commuting than school-run carpooling. When it came to practicality, the larger XC60 and XC90 crossovers, or their V60 and V90 wagon counterparts, were better choices.

Among its competitive set, the XC40 was reasonably spacious. It was tied with the redesigned 2023 BMW X1 for most rear-seat headroom, while front-seat headroom was only a fraction of an inch behind the leading Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Legroom in both rows was about average, but a generous amount of shoulder room contributed to a greater feeling of spaciousness—and meant you might actually be able to make use of the second-row middle seat without forcing people to squeeze uncomfortably together. Volvo listed 20 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 46.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Kia made a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard equipment in all 2023 Telluride models. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and Kia Connect services including access to a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system passed the evaluation with ease, though it did not accept commands to adjust the climate control system.

Through the Kia Access smartphone app, you could use Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to remotely control some vehicle functions. Over-the-air (OTA) updates kept the infotainment system up to date over time, and the Bluetooth software supported the pairing of two devices simultaneously. Kia also equipped the Telluride with six USB charging ports, giving passengers in every row of seats access to power. Upgrades included an impressive 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging.

For 2023, gasoline XC40 models got the Android-based infotainment system introduced on the XC40 Recharge for the 2021 model year. This used Google apps in place of generic ones, so Google Maps served as the navigation system, voice recognition was handled by Google Assistant, etc. It was a bit like using Android Auto all the time, although Apple CarPlay and basic Bluetooth support were included as well.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen (in Volvo’s typical portrait orientation) were standard. Our B5 Ultimate test vehicle also had a 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system with air-ventilated subwoofer, along with a pair of USB-C ports for each row. The infotainment experience was pretty similar to the XC40 Recharge and other Volvo models equipped with the Android operating system.

Kia offered a long list of standard safety features on the 2023 Telluride, and it expanded the number of available advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Every version of the SUV had forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, a new-for-2023 junction turning system, and an automatic emergency braking system. The Telluride also included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist.

An adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go capability was standard on the 2023 Telluride, and it could automatically reduce speed based on navigation system data. For 2023, a new Intelligent Speed Limit Assist feature helped drivers stick to the posted speed limit. Kia also added Highway Drive Assist as a standard driver assistance feature, rebranded as Highway Drive Assist 1.5, and it combined the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems to provide semi-autonomous driving assistance on highways.

Volvo built its reputation on safety, and that was reflected in the XC40’s list of standard safety features. Luxury brands often skimp on these features, but the XC40 covered the bases with standard lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Front seats designed to prevent whiplash were standard as well.

Upgrading from the base Core trim level to the XC40 Plus added front parking sensors, while the top Ultimate grade added side parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist, which could control steering, acceleration, and braking on highways. The lack of standard adaptive cruise control on the base trim level was one mark against the XC40. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2023 XC40 top “Good” ratings in most crash tests, but the Volvo was caught out by the IIHS’ updated side-impact test, dropping from a “Good” rating in the original test to an “Acceptable” rating in the updated test.