2023 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Chrysler Pacifica

During their time in Texas, reviewers experienced the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models, noting the SUV's refreshed front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The Telluride offered new paint colors like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, along with fresh interior hues such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line model replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a raised suspension, unique grille design, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro model went further with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. Interior updates were subtle, with a notable addition of a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both housed under a curved 24-inch glass piece. Other changes included new interior colors, minor trim adjustments, a redesigned steering wheel, and a more functional center console. The X-Line and X-Pro trims had their names embossed on the front seatbacks, adding a touch of exclusivity.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica maintained its contemporary exterior styling, offering a smooth design with a modest grille, contrasting with the flashier Toyota Sienna and avoiding the SUV-like appearance of the Kia Carnival. The Pacifica's sliding-door tracks were cleverly hidden, providing a clean look without the need for additional styling features. Available in Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, the Pacifica also offered a de-contented Chrysler Voyager version for commercial fleets. Standard features included LED headlights, taillights, fog lights, and daytime running lights. The Touring and Touring L models came with 17-inch wheels, while higher trims offered 18-inch and 20-inch options. The S Appearance Package added darkened trim, while the Road Tripper Package included crystal exterior trim, all-weather floor mats, and a trailering package. New paint options for 2024 included Baltic Gray and Red Hot. Inside, the Pacifica featured a minimalist dashboard with well-integrated controls, a rotary shift knob, and a sculpted look. The Pinnacle trim boasted brown Nappa leather upholstery with quilted stitching and small pillows for the second-row seats, though some interior elements felt less luxurious.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its mechanical setup with 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, with the AWD system offering a low-speed Lock setting for even power distribution. The V6 provided ample motivation, with the X-Line averaging 24.1 mpg during a drive that included highway, traffic, and twisty roads. The X-Pro, less efficient at 20.4 mpg, included off-roading with the drivetrain in Lock mode. Official EPA ratings suggested 21 mpg combined for the AWD Telluride. Kia enhanced the X-Line and X-Pro with a raised suspension, increased ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, and a modified traction control system for better off-road performance. The X-Pro also featured 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and an improved cooling system, increasing towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. Off-roading in Texas showcased the Telluride's capabilities, with features like AWD Lock mode, all-terrain tires, and a Downhill Brake Control system proving effective. On highways, the Telluride offered a smooth, quiet ride, though the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishier in turns.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD available on Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims. The Pacifica Hybrid offered a FWD plug-in hybrid powertrain. The V6, known as the Pentastar, had been used across the Stellantis lineup, providing peppy acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds. The Pacifica's chassis tuning prioritized comfort and stability, with the suspension effectively damping body motion and road imperfections. However, some weight transfer was noticeable during acceleration and deceleration. Positioned above mainstream rivals, the Pacifica offered a quiet, comfortable, and relatively refined ride, though not quite reaching luxury minivan status.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. Test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The SX Prestige trim included a heated steering wheel. The Telluride offered ample interior space, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system to keep drivers alert on long trips. The second-row seats were comfortable, with manual side-window sunshades, adjustable armrests, USB ports, and storage pockets. A button on the second-row captain’s chairs facilitated access to the third-row seating area, which was more comfortable than some competitors. Storage space was plentiful, with a “smart” power tailgate and an automatic closing function. Cargo space included 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica featured Stow ‘n Go seating, allowing second-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating large in-floor storage bins. The standard configuration included second-row bucket seats and a 60/40 split-folding third-row bench seat, accommodating seven passengers. An eight-seat configuration was available with the Touring L trim but couldn’t be combined with Stow ‘n Go or AWD. Pinnacle and Limited models included a power-folding third-row seat and a power liftgate. Passenger space was competitive, with nearly identical headroom to rivals and slightly more third-row headroom. Legroom was generous in the first two rows, though rear-seat legroom was less than the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. Non-hybrid Pacifica models offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 87.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 140.5 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A Stow ‘n Vac built-in vacuum cleaner was available on Touring L and Limited trims and standard on the Pinnacle, though the raised center console’s storage area was difficult to access.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, 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 smartphone app allowed remote control of some vehicle functions via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Over-the-air updates kept the system current, and Bluetooth supported pairing two devices simultaneously. The Telluride included six USB charging ports, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. Upgrades included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, digital-key technology, a Full Display Mirror, and a head-up display with a 10-inch viewing area. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system notified drivers when traffic started moving.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The instrument cluster included analog gauges with a 7-inch digital display. The Pacifica offered up to 12 USB-C ports, built-in navigation, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Uconnect 5 was intuitive and sharp, though a shortcut for the 360-degree camera system was lacking. The Pacifica could be equipped with a rear-seat entertainment system, including 10.1-inch touchscreens, wireless headphones, remote controls, a Blu-ray/DVD player, HDMI inputs, and Amazon Fire TV connectivity. The FamCam interior camera allowed parents to monitor rear seats, though an intercom system was not available.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, a junction turning system, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Safe Exit Assist system warned occupants when it wasn’t safe to open the doors. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard, with Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Highway Drive Assist 1.5. The SX trim added collision avoidance features, front parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. Automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, and a Rear Occupant Alert system were also standard. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica received a 2023 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, though it missed the Top Safety Pick+ award due to low scores in updated crash tests and middling ratings for headlights and front crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded the Pacifica a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear park assist. Optional features included a 360-degree camera system, front park assist, and a parallel/perpendicular park assist system. New for 2024 was an Emergency Vehicle Alert System, providing warnings about nearby emergency vehicles or road hazards.