2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Volvo XC60

During our time in Texas, we sampled the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models, basing our commentary on these versions. All Tellurides received updated front and rear styling, enhancing their modern aesthetic. The revised headlights and taillights, coupled with new wheel designs, added a fresh appeal. New paint colors featured Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, while the interior palettes included Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green.

The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, offering a unique grille, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. Meanwhile, the X-Pro stepped it up with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, underlining its aggressive off-road intentions. Interior modifications included a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system residing under a curved 24-inch piece of glass. These updates synchronized the Telluride’s cabin with future-ready aesthetics. New interior colors, a redesigned steering wheel, and functional center console enhancements further elevated the experience. Pricing for the Telluride ranged from $35,690 for the base LX FWD to $52,785 for the top-tier SX Prestige X-Pro AWD.

When shopping for a 2023 Volvo XC60, customers chose between three powertrains: the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines with mild-hybrid technology in the XC60 B5 and B6, and the more advanced XC60 Recharge with a turbocharged PHEV powertrain. Prices varied from just under $46,000 to over $76,000. Trim levels included Core, Plus, Ultimate, and exclusively for PHEVs, Polestar Engineered.

Our test vehicle, a Recharge Ultimate in Dark theme with Thunder Grey paint, exuded aerodynamic elegance on 20-inch wheels. The XC60’s aging design remained graceful, with a touch of classic Scandinavian minimalism inside. Despite the snug back seats, the luxurious leather, fine wood trim, metal accents, and Orrefors crystal gear selector knob added to its opulence.

Mechanically, the 2023 Kia Telluride maintained its robust 3.8-liter V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Multiple driving modes allowed customization, and the AWD system included a low-speed Lock setting to evenly distribute power between front and rear wheels. Test drives yielded different fuel economies; the X-Line averaged 24.1 mpg while the X-Pro, engaging in off-roading, recorded 20.4 mpg. The official EPA ratings highlighted a combined 21 mpg for the AWD Telluride.

The Telluride’s upgraded suspension increased ground clearance to 8.4 inches, enhancing off-road capability. Noteworthy features included the Downhill Brake Control system and a self-leveling rear air suspension for improved handling. On highways and byways, the Telluride offered a comfortably smooth ride with responsive steering, though off-road tires slightly affected cornering stability.

Conversely, the 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge paired a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine driving the front wheels with an electric motor for the rear, resulting in a combined output of 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. The PHEV powertrain allowed an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range. Different driving modes managed the XC60’s behavior, switching seamlessly between Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD to suit every situation.

Volvo’s XC60 boasted rapid acceleration, clocking 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The drivetrain updates in mid-2022 introduced the powerful electric motor, enhancing rear torque-vectoring and driving enjoyment. Evaluations in Pure mode revealed an electric range of 38.3 miles, while overall efficiency averaged 54.6 mpg during a typical commute. The XC60 offered a combination of smooth and sporty performance facilitated by its versatile driving modes.

Inside the 2023 Kia Telluride, seven or eight passengers could be comfortably accommodated, depending on the second-row configuration. The SX Prestige models flaunted Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front and second-row captain’s chairs. Ample room in the front and second rows was observed, with thoughtful features like lumbar stabilization and Wi-Fi hotspot. The second-row offered manual sunshades, USB ports, and climate controls.

Access to the third-row was simplified with a one-touch button, and while it provided adequate space, larger adults might find it slightly restrictive compared to competitors like the Volkswagen Atlas. Nonetheless, Telluride’s storage was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the third row down, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

Similarly, the 2023 Volvo XC60, a compact crossover, was best suited for four passengers but could accommodate five. The front seats, upholstered in Nappa leather, provided exceptional comfort with heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The panoramic sunroof and supportive back seats contributed to the sense of space, although legroom in the rear was limited for taller passengers.

Storage in the XC60, while cleverly integrated in various spots, was less generous in the console bin but practical in the wider door panels and glovebox. The power tailgate revealed 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 63.3 cubic feet with back seats folded. Additional features included a netted area for the charging cord and an air suspension for easier loading of heavy items.

Kia’s new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system was standard across all 2023 Telluride models, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services with a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well but didn’t extend to climate control functions. The Kia Access app allowed Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to control some vehicle functions remotely. The Telluride also supported the pairing of two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, six USB ports, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode.

Upgrades included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, digital-key technology, and a Full Display Mirror. The optional head-up display now had a larger 10-inch area, and the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert feature helped monitor traffic movement.

Meanwhile, the Volvo XC60 boasted a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, operable through steering wheel controls. The 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system included Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play, and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This system impressed with user-friendly interfaces, voice recognition, and access to climate controls.

During testing, the voice recognition accurately responded to commands, although it occasionally provided excessive information. Google Built-in facilitated tasks like finding directions or playing specific music playlists from apps like Spotify. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system, though expensive, offered stellar audio quality.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came packed with an extensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking. Additional systems included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping, and lane-centering assist, Safe Exit Assist, adaptive cruise control with curve prediction, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Highway Drive Assist 1.5 and 2.0 versions. SX trims added more advanced collision avoidance features, parking sensors, surround-view cameras, and live video feeds for blind spots. A driver attention warning system and Rear Occupant Alert rounded up the comprehensive package. However, crash-test ratings for the 2023 Telluride weren’t available at the time of review.

Safety has been a hallmark of the Volvo brand, and the 2023 XC60 continued to uphold this tradition. The Ultimate trim included Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering ability, requiring minimal driver intervention. Pilot Assist performed seamlessly on multi-lane highways, quickly adapting to changing speeds. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped prevent collisions with oncoming traffic. While NHTSA had not rated the XC60 Recharge, other XC60 models earned high marks. The IIHS awarded the 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating to the XC60, potentially continuing into 2023.