2023 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Ford Escape

During our time in Texas, we experienced the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models, which showcased fresh 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, while the interior featured new hues such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, boasting a raised suspension, unique grille design, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro added exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. Inside, the updates were subtle, with a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a curved 24-inch glass piece, pushing the Telluride into a modern era.

The 2024 Ford Escape received a facelift in 2023, which carried over into the 2024 model, making it more appealing with a new aggressive front end. The rest of the SUV retained a soft, generic look. Ford offered the Escape in various trims, including Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum, and Plug-in Hybrid, with prices ranging from $29,345 to $40,500, excluding the destination charge. Our test vehicle, the ST-Line Elite, featured Rapid Red paint, black 19-inch wheels, and a Panoramic Vista Roof, priced at $43,650. The interior, with diamond-stitched leather and tech upgrades, initially appeared upscale but was marred by glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery, raising questions about its value.

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 driving modes like Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting for power distribution. The V6 provided ample motivation, averaging 24.1 mpg in the X-Line during a mix of highway and twisty roads, while the X-Pro returned 20.4 mpg, including off-roading. The Telluride's suspension was raised by 10mm, improving ground clearance and off-road performance, complemented by a Downhill Brake Control system. The X-Pro, with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, increased towing capacity to 5,500 pounds and offered a self-leveling rear air suspension. On highways, the Telluride delivered a smooth, quiet ride, though the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishy in turns.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, averaging 26 mpg. Our test vehicle had the turbo engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, featuring driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Slippery. The turbo engine provided quick acceleration, but the ST-Line's ride was soft, with excessive body motion and sluggish steering. The Escape's sporty appearance didn't match its driving dynamics, and the turbo engine felt underutilized. The Escape Active and ST-Line with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine offered a more balanced power-to-performance ratio. The hybrid, while slower, promised better fuel savings, as our turbocharged ST-Line Elite averaged 24.1 mpg, below the EPA rating.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with our test vehicles featuring premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second-row seats offered comfort and convenience, with manual sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. Access to the third row was easy, and it provided more comfort than many competitors. The Telluride offered ample storage space, with a smart power tailgate and generous cargo volume, ranging from 21 cubic feet behind the third row to 87 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line featured a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters, accented by red stitching. Leather was optional with ST-Line Elite trim, but it felt uncomfortable. Our test model included ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats and steering wheel. The front seats were large and supportive, while the back seat was comfortable when slid back. Interior storage was generous in front, but less so for rear passengers. Cargo volume measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The test vehicle had deep storage areas and a grocery bag hook in the cargo area.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and Kia Connect services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate controls required manual adjustment. The Kia Access app allowed remote control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with OTA updates and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The Telluride included Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging, and digital-key technology. A Full Display Mirror and a larger HUD with additional information were available, along with a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch display in upper trims. Our ST-Line Elite had a 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system in a landscape format, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and FordPass Connect services. The larger screen added Amazon Alexa and connected navigation. A Bang & Olufsen sound system was available, though our test vehicle's speakers were damaged. Sync 4 had a lag time between inputs, and the wireless charger overheated devices. The voice recognition system was excellent, but the engine start/stop button placement was unconventional. An optional HUD projected data on a clear plastic piece, included in the Premium Technology Package with other features.

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 had automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. A Safe Exit Assist system, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and Highway Drive Assist 1.5 were standard. The SX trim added collision avoidance features, front parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride also included 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 2024 Ford Escape came with a standard post-collision automatic braking system and Ford Co-Pilot360 driving assistance systems. These included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Our ST-Line Elite featured adaptive cruise control, predictive speed assist, evasive steering assist, lane-centering assist, and a 360-degree camera system. The lane-keeping systems were inconsistent, and predictive speed assist slowed the SUV excessively. On freeways, Co-Pilot360 performed better, with effective adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA gave the Escape five-star ratings, except for a four-star rollover rating. The IIHS had not rated the 2024 model, but the 2023 version received Good ratings, except for a Marginal side-impact score.