Kia Telluride vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2027 Kia Telluride offered a range of five core trim levels for its non-hybrid version, including LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The sporty X-Line appearance was available for all but the LX and S trims, with an X-Pro off-roading upgrade for the SX and SX Prestige, resulting in ten different configurations. Prices ranged from $40,735 to $58,335, including a $1,545 destination charge. The test vehicle was an X-Pro SX Prestige with Terrain Brown Matte paint, bringing the MSRP to $59,580. While the new Telluride had some styling improvements over its predecessor, it also had less appealing aspects, such as the predominance of black wheel finishes and limited interior color variability. The X-Pro SX and SX Prestige trims had a purposeful lifted look but were limited to dark interior colors, contributing to a less premium cabin feel despite the higher price. The interior was minimalist yet cluttered with over 50 buttons and controls, and some features like the tuning knob and defroster controls were inconveniently placed.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ stood out with its striking design, maintaining its handsome appearance over the years. Its interior was a blend of technology and old-school luxury, with top-notch materials, although the cheaper Optiq had some unique touches. The climate control toggle switches were praised for their usability compared to touchscreen controls in rival models. Despite its impressive design, the Lyriq had a history of inconsistent build quality, with past test vehicles exhibiting rattles and misaligned trim. However, the test vehicle for this review showed improved quality, suggesting potential enhancements by Cadillac. Buyers were advised to thoroughly inspect their intended purchase. The Lyriq's design and material quality were exceptional, but its build quality required careful consideration.

The 2027 Kia Telluride was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,700 to 4,000 rpm. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and configurable My Drive modes. The maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds. Available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the latter was standard on the X-Pro SX and SX Prestige trims, which also had a lifted suspension for 9.1 inches of ground clearance. The X-Pro treatment included black 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, an electronic limited-slip differential, Terrain driving modes, and a Ground View Monitor camera system. The X-Pro's fuel economy was rated at 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. In real-world testing, it averaged 14.1 mpg in city driving and 20.2 mpg on a mixed city-highway loop. The turbocharged engine, while energetic at elevation, exhibited significant turbo lag and unpleasant noises during acceleration. The ride and handling were mixed, with the X-Pro soaking up speed humps well but feeling brittle over smaller road irregularities. The steering lacked accuracy, and the tires struggled for grip on pavement.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 102-kWh battery pack with a DC fast-charging speed of 190 kW. It switched to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for easier use of Tesla Superchargers. The single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) version produced 365 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-rated range of 326 miles. The dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) Lyriq-V delivered 615 hp and 650 lb-ft, with a range of up to 285 miles. The test vehicle had AWD with 515 hp and 450 lb-ft, offering a range of 319 miles with the standard 11.5-kW AC onboard charger. The optional 19.2-kW AC charger reduced the range to 303 miles. Despite its power, the AWD Lyriq's throttle was tuned for refined, linear acceleration, reminiscent of a V8. The driving experience balanced comfort and refinement with precise steering. The Lyriq handled sharp impacts well, even with 22-inch wheels, and offered three braking settings, including one-pedal driving options.

The 2027 Kia Telluride's driver’s seat was uncomfortable despite its 10-way power adjustment and massage function. The seat felt hard and flat, causing discomfort after extended driving. The front passenger seat was more comfortable, suggesting a potential issue with the test vehicle's driver’s seat. The second-row captain’s chairs and third-row bench seat were comfortable, with ample legroom and adjustable armrests. However, entering and exiting the third row was challenging for larger individuals. Interior storage was limited, with small door panel storage and a modest bin under the front center armrest. The Telluride offered 22.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and 89.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ's interior storage was nearly as good as its Optiq sibling's. The main cupholders accommodated large bottles, and the door bins were spacious. The center armrest bin was deep, and the wireless charger was a space-saving diagonal slot. A large storage tray under the center console and a pull-out tray under the dash provided additional storage. The Lyriq offered 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a larger under-floor storage compartment. It had more legroom than the Audi Q6 e-Tron, allowing six-footers to sit comfortably in the back. The Lyriq's second row was wider than the Optiq's, making it easier to fit three passengers across.

The 2027 Kia Telluride featured a wide, panoramic display panel with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls, and digital instrumentation. Starting with the SX trim, the digital instrumentation was fully configurable with a 12.3-inch display, and a 12-inch head-up display was standard in SX Prestige models. The infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and a navigation system. Dual wireless phone charging pads and USB-C ports were available in all three rows. The Meridian sound system, starting with the SX trim, provided excellent audio quality.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ's OLED touchscreen was crisp and bright, contributing to the cabin's luxurious look. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Google built-in functions like Google Maps and Google Assistant voice commands. The AKS audio system with Dolby Atmos was standard, offering exceptional sound quality. The system's design and functionality were praised, providing a compelling blend of technology and luxury.

The 2027 Kia Telluride offered an impressive array of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist were standard, along with adaptive cruise control with speed-limit assist. The optional Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise with auto lane centering. The Telluride also featured junction turning detection, safe-exit assist, and a radar-sensor rear occupant detection system. The SX trim added active blind-spot monitors, front cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, and a surround-view camera system. The 2027 Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ came standard with driver-assistance features, including GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving assist system. Super Cruise operated hands-free on highways, providing consistent and smart assistance. The Lyriq received five stars for overall safety from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS for crash safety and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention tech. However, it received an Acceptable score for vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention and a Poor headlight score due to excessive glare.