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Identifying the First-Gen Ford Mustang2023 Kia Sorento vs Kia Telluride
Kia has some great SUVs, but which mid-size 3-row is better, the 2023 Kia Telluride or the 2023 Kia Sorento? Explore both SUVs right here, right now!
A Sibling Rivalry
We’re keeping it all in the family for this comparison. The 2023 Sorento and 2023 Telluride are both mid-size SUVs for the Kia brand. While Sorento and Telluride both share the Kia name, there are definite differences in power, ability, and some features. They’re popular choices with trims ranging between $32,000 and $53,000, but which one is the better fit? That’s the question we aim to answer here, so let’s get started!
Specs
We’ll start with the details. The 2023 Kia Sorento is equipped with a 2.5 L inline four-cylinder engine that makes 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission pushes the Sorento with front-wheel drive (FWD), which is standard on most trims. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available as well. There’s also a 2.5 L turbocharged option. It makes 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, pairing with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. With a 17.7-gallon capacity, the Sorento’s base engine gets 24 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The turbo drops a little bit to 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg PG on the highway. Towing maxes out at 3,500 lbs. (that’s with the turbo option).
There’s also a 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid and 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid Plug-In. The 2023 Sorento Hybrid has a turbocharged 1.6 L four-cylinder engine that is accompanied by an electric motor and six-speed automatic transmission. Together, it makes 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It gets 37 mpg. The Plug-In Hybrid version of the 2023 Sorento has 79 MPGe, 32 mpg of electric-only range, and 34 mpg with just the gasoline engine. The PHEV uses a 13.8-kWh battery pack and the same 1.6 L turbo to make 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It also uses the same six-speed automatic transmission.
Looking under the hood of a 2023 Kia Telluride, you’ll see 3.8L V6 that makes 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s driven forward with standard front-wheel drive on most trims, but all-wheel drive is available. The EPA estimates that the 2023 Telluride can achieve 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. When it comes to towing, the Telluride can handle 5,500 lbs. pretty easily.
Driving and Performance
The turbocharged engine in the 2023 Sorento gets the job done! Whether it’s accelerating up to highway speeds, merging at highway speeds, or passing other vehicles, the Sorento does so with confidence. Shifting onto slower roads isn’t an issue either. The base engine, expectedly, lacks some of that acceleration ability that the turbo enjoys. The ride, on 18 or 20-inch wheels, is smooth. Plus, the transmission is quiet enough, the steering is responsive, and there’s not much body lean around curves and turns. 6.9 inches of ground clearance doesn’t set drivers up for a bunch of off-roading, but AWD 2023 Sorento models get 8.2 inches, which helps.
The Sorento Hybrid comes standard with FWD but can be equipped with AWD as well. The PHEV setup does well with maintaining a smooth transition going from higher speeds to lower speeds. It’s not a speed demon, but it has a pretty good pace.
While the Sorento is impressive, the 2023 Kia Telluride is as well. It has enough energy to quickly pass cars on the interstate, smoothly transitions into lower speeds, and the quality suspension covers any bumps on the roadway. All of that helps to give riders a luxury feel while seated in the cabin. The Telluride also has strong brakes. Steering is precise with this SUV, whether you’re going around a curve at 35 miles per hour or angling into a parking spot. The Telluride has 8.4 inches of ground clearance should owners get the itch for a little trail adventure.
Comfort and Interior
All three rows in the 2023 Sorento have decent space, from 41.4 inches in the front row to 41.7 inches in the second row to 29.6 inches in the third row. Not only that, but there are good-sized windows, a package that includes a sunroof, and several USB charging ports. Second-row seats can be swapped for captain’s chairs. Other user-friendly features include a variety of cupholders and storage spots for small items.
Up front, there’s a 12.3-inch digital cluster and an eight-inch or 10.3-inch touchscreen, that should make operating and controlling the vehicle’s functions a little easier. Just above the base trim, synthetic leather is used on the steering wheel and on the upholstery.
The cabin in the Telluride won’t easily be outdone. There are a lot of similarities to the Sorento, including the option of swapping out the second-row bench for captain’s chairs. Legroom in the Telluride measures 41.4 inches up front, 42.4 inches behind that, and 31.4 inches in the rear, so the second and third rows are larger than the Sorento.
Right from the get-go, from the base trim, you get simulated leather seating. That turns into real leather as you get higher up the trim ladder. Just like the Sorento, there are also heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. The Telluride does have a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, though.
Trims and Features
Five trim levels (the LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige) are available for the 2023 Kia Sorento. While the LX doesn’t have nearly as many features as other trims, it does still offer 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a handful of driver assists like forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and rear automatic braking.
Keyless entry, a push-button start, a navigation system, wireless device charging, and heated front seats are all added with the next trim. The EX includes a hands-free liftgate, adaptive cruise control, a collision mitigation system, and lane centering. The panoramic sunroof and rain-sensing wipers are added to the SX.
At the top is the SX Prestige. Ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a 115-volt outlet all enhance the cabin. Additional driving features at this level include front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera.
What are the trims in the 2023 Kia Telluride? They’re the same as the Sorento: the LX, S, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige. X-Line and X-Pro packages are also available on some of these trims. Rear-passenger automatic climate control, the 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple and Android (not wireless) integration, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision mitigation are all included at every trim level. The S, however, adds a sunroof, wireless phone charger, roof rails, and heated front seats. It also has a stop-start feature.
The EX is even more impressive with power-folding outside mirrors, ventilated front seats, a hands-free liftgate, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. That sounds good until you look at the SX, which adds a driver’s seat with memory settings, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, and an enhanced adaptive cruise control that allows you to change lanes by just flipping the turn signal.
Heated and ventilated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, leather upholstery, and a head-up display round the Sorento off in the SX Prestige. A tow package is also available at this level. The X-Line and X-Pro versions add 18 or 20-inch wheels with all-season tires, enhanced traction control, extra towing capacity, and off-road-oriented suspension tuning. If you want to off-road, those are the versions you’ll want to get.
The Verdict
It’s decision time! You’ve seen the specs, looked at the photos, and read about the features. Which one are you going to choose? The Kia Telluride certainly has more power. If you’re going to be towing items regularly, the Telluride is probably the smarter choice. However, we’re choosing the 2023 Kia Sorento because of all the options. Hybrid? Yep, that’s an option. Plug-in hybrid? That’s another option. A gasoline-powered engine? You can choose that, too.
With so many available trims, a high-quality interior, at least some towing power, and a little bit of off-roading capability, the 2023 Sorento can appease any number of people, especially if it’s primarily being used for day-to-day driving. The Sorento can also certainly be comfortably used for those two or three summer family vacations, too. You’re really not going to go wrong either way. The Kia Telluride is on our list of the Top 10 Used Mid-Sized SUVs, the Best SUVs for Families, and the Best 3-Row Mid-Sized SUVs. Meanwhile, as our 2023 Kia Sorento review and 2022 Kia Sorento review will show you, the Sorento is playful, flexible SUV with great value. All the engine options make the Sorento too hard to beat in this instance.
