2023 Chevy Traverse vs 2023 Kia Telluride

• 2023 Chevy Traverse

  

  Starting at

  $34,520^[a]

  2023 Kia Telluride

  

  Starting at

  $35,890

  310	Horsepower (hp)	291
  98.2	Max. Cargo (cu.ft.)	87
  Yes	Teen Driver Technology	No

  Three-row crossover SUVs are great vehicles for those who need something reliable and large for ferrying around friends, taking vacations with the family, or using them as a daily driver when commuting with many people. The Chevy Traverse and Kia Telluride represent two very popular and quite large crossover SUVs within the three-row segment. But when comparing the 2023 Chevy Traverse vs 2023 Kia Telluride, which has the best features and functionality designed to appeal to those looking for something safe and feature-rich for the family?

  For 2023, the Kia Telluride received a number of new updates to its line-up, which consists of a multitude of trim options. The Telluride is available in the base LX trim, followed by the S, the EX, the EX X-Line, the SX, SX X-Line, the SX X-Pro, the SX Prestige, the SX Prestige X-Line, and SX Prestige X-Pro. Kia added new features to the X-Line and X-Pro trims, including higher ground clearance, downhill brake control, and raised roof rails for the X-Line. The X-Pro has improved its towing capacity in Tow Mode and is now equipped with Continental all-terrain tires. There have also been updates to the front and rear fascia, as well as the infotainment suite.

  The 2023 Chevy Traverse added some light new features to its line-up to accompany its already robust offerings for the model year. New for 2023 is the addition of two new colors joining the three-row SUV's line-up: the premium Radiant Red Tintcoat and Sterling Gray Metallic. They join four other colors in the line-up, such as Iridescent Pearl Tricoat, Summit White, Mosaic Black Metallic, and Black Cherry Metallic. The Traverse has also received a standard wrapped steering wheel on trims above the base LS. The trim line-up for 2023 includes six different models, starting with the base LS, followed by the LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and finally, the luxury-oriented High Country. This gives shoppers a wide range of models depending on price range and features.

• Performance

  

  Getting to and from your destination in a large three-row SUV means having a reliable powertrain to do all the heavy lifting. Both the Kia Telluride and Chevy Traverse have more than adequate engines under the hood to make the driving experience exciting and reliable. However, when it comes to overall performance capabilities, the Traverse is the three-row SUV that takes the crown when compared to the Kia Telluride.

  The Telluride's 3.8L Lambda V6 Engine

  The Telluride rides on a 3.8-liter Lambda V6, producing 291 hp at 262 lb-ft of torque. It's a good engine capable of delivering the level of power and performance you'd expect from a midsize three-row SUV. The Telluride is also equipped with a self-leveling rear suspension and multiple drive modes, which come in the form of Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart, as well as the ability to have the vehicle configured as a front-wheel or all-wheel drive, depending on your preference.

  The Traverse's 3.6L V6 Engine

  The Chevy Traverse, however, is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 that generates 310 hp at 266 lb-ft of torque. You get more horsepower from the Traverse and slightly more torque, which gives it a performance edge over Kia's Telluride. Much like the Telluride, you also have multiple drivetrain configurations in the form of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. There are also different drive modes available for the Traverse as well, including Off-Road, Tow/Haul, and Snow.

  Fuel Economy

  Another area where the Traverse excels in is fuel economy. The Telluride has a max fuel economy on the highway of up to 26 MPG in front-wheel drive and up to 24 MPG in all-wheel drive. The Chevy Traverse actually has better fuel economy when it comes to highway traversal, with the front-wheel configuration giving you up to 27 MPG and the all-wheel drive having an estimated 25 MPG. So performance-wise, the Traverse is better when it comes to saving money at the pump.

• Capacity

  

  A large SUV having large capacity capabilities is basically part of its bread and butter as a selling point. Both the Telluride and Traverse have plenty of interior space to work with, and they make the most of their three-row capabilities to seat up to eight people. The details are what separate the two when it comes to capacity, however, and it's in this category where the Traverse manages to get another win over the Telluride.

  The Telluride's Cargo Volume

  Cargo volume is a big selling point for a three-row crossover, and the Telluride manages up to 21 cu.ft. of cargo capacity behind the third row. You also have access to up to 46 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the second row, while you have up to 87 cu.ft. of cargo volume to make use of with the second and third rows folded. That gives you lots of room to utilize in the Telluride; still, the Traverse offers even more.

  The Traverse's Superior Cargo Space

  With the Chevy Traverse, you have up to 23 cu.ft. of cargo volume to utilize behind the third row, which is slightly more space than the Telluride. With the third row folded, you can optimize up to 57.8 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the second row, and finally, with both the second and third rows folded, you have a monstrous 98.2 cu.ft. of cargo volume to work with. That gives you a significant amount of additional space to work with, with approximately 11% additional cargo volume available for use in the Traverse compared to the Telluride.

• Safety

  

  When traveling around in a large three-row SUV, safety is a crucial factor, especially for those with families. Someone running a stop sign or blasting through a red light can change everything in the blink of an eye. The Chevy Traverse and Kia Telluride are fully equipped with a number of active and passive safety features to ensure that traveling around in these hefty midsize SUVs is as comfortable as they are secure. They also contain the sort of safety alerts so that even when you’re driving safely and others aren’t, you are still equipped to avoid potential collisions. But when it comes to the 2023 Traverse against the 2023 Telluride, there are a few areas in the safety department that benefit the Traverse over the Telluride.

  Chevy's Innovative Teen Driver Technology

  First and foremost, while both vehicles come with many amazing safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, forward collision detection, and automatic emergency braking, the finer details are where the separation occurs. The Traverse, for instance, goes beyond just automatic high beam control and lane departure warnings; it also comes with an innovative feature known as Teen Driver Technology. This is a great tool for those with newly-licensed teens that adds a report card system to the driving experience, along with safety reminders, safety alerts, as well as control over functions such as speed limit and radio volume to instill safe driving habits in those just learning to drive on their own.

  Additional Features That Give the Traverse an Edge

  What's more, the report card gives parents a great idea of how their teen is driving and where they could improve, making the Chevy Traverse so much more family oriented for generational driving. While both vehicles have robust safety and infotainment suites, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with navigation and media services, it's the added functionality of features like Buckle To Drive and the OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Services that ensures that the Traverse goes out of its way to be as safe as possible. The added family safety features, like Teen Driver, put the Traverse a step above the Telluride, and that's a bonus for those who want to sit behind the wheel of a large and very safe three-row SUV.

Check Out the 2023 Chevy Traverse Today