Midsize SUVs are an excellent choice if you want greater cabin room and cargo capacity than sedans offer. Aside from full-size trucks, the most popular vehicle type in the United States today is the compact SUV, a fiercely competitive segment with over a dozen cars from various automakers. It’s not hard to understand why. They are less costly and easier to run than larger SUVs, and while they cannot transport as many passengers and their stuff as larger SUVs, they have sufficient capacity to fulfill the bulk of daily demands. Midsize crossover SUVs, as opposed to bigger, more traditional SUVs, generally combine car-like qualities with a more attractive appearance.
SUVs and crossovers are usually the most affordable vehicles on a dealer’s lot. They are good daily drivers since they are small enough to handle in cities yet have more cargo space than you might expect given their size. Many will be high-tech and comfortable by 2023, with technology such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that display your phone on the car’s screen and leather interiors accessible.
The Kia Telluride has swiftly established itself as the standard response in the 3-row midsize SUV segment. Subaru takes pride in its unusual approach as well as its unorthodox audience. The 2023 Subaru Ascent is an interesting alternative to the standard solution. If you require a 7- or 8-seat SUV but don’t want to deal with the hassle of parking a full-size vehicle, this is the vehicle for you. Let’s compare them to determine which one provides the most value for money for you.
2023 Subaru Ascent
The majority of automobile companies have owners. Subaru has admirers. It earns repeat purchasers’ devotion with a strong reputation for dependability, a quirky image, and a unique formula for virtually all of its vehicles that feels terrific to drive. The 2023 Subaru Ascent is a capable SUV with several appealing features, including a large and well-built interior. It has mediocre driving characteristics and a poor engine at times, but it’s a well-rounded, if rather bland, family car. It offers an interior that appears to be solid and well-built, a plethora of standard driver-assistance technology, plenty of space in the first two rows, and plenty of baggage capacity. It has a good overall driving performance, but it’s not very fun to drive, and the engine might seem underpowered when carrying a full load of people. The only way to get it in a car that seats more than five people is in the 2023 Subaru Ascent. Prices begin at $33,895.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lots of standard driver-assistance features | Ho-hum driving dynamics |
| Standard all-wheel drive | |
| Spacious cabin | |
| Above-average cargo space |
Main Features
Lower price: The Ascent is about $2,000 less expensive than the Telluride. It’s also simpler to find, as Telluride’s popularity has caused dealers to run out of them. The top-of-the-line Ascent Touring, on the other hand, costs more than $4,500 less than the top of the Telluride series.
Amazing Vibe: Subaru’s formula is straightforward. Their engineers position a flat 4-cylinder boxer engine (turbocharged in this car) low in the engine compartment, giving the car a grounded sensation due to the low center of gravity. Then, for further traction, they use Subaru’s superb symmetrical all-wheel drive system. As a result, some buyers like a strong, glued-to-the-road experience. Test drive it to discover if it enchants you.
Off-road prowess: AWD is standard on most Tellurides, but not all. It raises the price of various trims by $2,000 dollars. There are also two off-road specialist variants with all-terrain tires. However, every Ascent has such off-road abilities. AWD is included, as are trail features like hill descent control—all at no extra cost.
2023 Kia Telluride
With rugged, appealing good looks, plenty of room, and a large selection of 10 model levels, the 2023 Kia Telluride has rapidly become a stalwart of the 3-row SUV sector. The Telluride features a roomy and comfortable cabin that may accommodate up to seven or eight people depending on the arrangement. It boasts plenty of cargo room, an easy-to-use infotainment system, and a slew of standard safety and convenience features. The Telluride is also pleasurable to drive, due to its strong V6 engine, surefooted handling, and comfortable ride. The topping on the figurative cake is a relatively modest starting price and a generous 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It receives a new appearance for 2023, as well as a pair of light off-roader variants, the X-Line and X-Pro. The Telluride is priced starting at $35,890.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Spacious, high-end interior | Average fuel economy |
| Composed ride and handling | |
| User-friendly tech | |
| Lots of standard features |
Main Features
Enhanced Power, Same Fuel Economy: These vehicles achieve 23 mpg combined. The Telluride, on the other hand, gets it from a 291-horsepower V6. The Ascent has a less powerful 260-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and no better fuel economy to compensate.
Chic Interior Cabin: Subaru most recently revised the Ascent for the 2019 model year. Its cabin contains all of the newest technology, but it appears archaic in comparison to the Telluride’s modern, luxury-like interior. Kia’s design team integrates both displays into a single housing, making them appear as one large curved screen, and fills the Telluride with luxury details like quilted-look leather seats, making it feel more costly.
Longest Warranty in Market: Kia offers the industry’s longest warranty, with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper guarantee and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Subaru provides the industry standard warranties: three years, or 36,000 miles, bumper to bumper, and five years, or 60,000 miles, on the drivetrain.
Similarities
These two have virtually equal specifications and fuel economy.
Verdict
To summarize, both the 2023 Kia Telluride and the Subaru Ascent are excellent midsize SUVs that appeal to a wide range of driver tastes and needs.
While the Telluride stands out for its eye-catching appearance, slightly greater load space, and powerful V6 engine, the Ascent shines out for its standard all-wheel-drive system, remarkable fuel efficiency, and adaptable performance. Individual choices, priorities, and desired characteristics ultimately determine which of these two SUVs is chosen.
From its boxy good looks to its nice cabin and long warranty, the Kia Telluride has a lot to offer. However, there will be a large number of them in the workplace parking lot. You’ll stand out more in a Subaru Ascent, which comes standard with AWD and is less expensive. Which one is best for you is mostly a question of personal preference. You can make an informed selection and choose the SUV that best suits your lifestyle and needs by considering the important differences and similarities covered in this comparison.
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