2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was an electrifying leap forward for Hyundai's EV lineup, with its design immediately distinguishing it from its predecessors. As it diverged from the original Ioniq's lineage, the Ioniq 5 carried a futuristic aesthetic while maintaining the brand's core theme of electrified mobility. Unlike its 2016 predecessor, available in hybrid variants, the Ioniq 5 shifted focus to purely electric offerings, positioning itself as a standalone brand under Hyundai's expanding EV umbrella.

At first glance, the Ioniq 5's sleek exterior was defined by minimal character lines and a conservative approach that avoided flashy elements. However, upon closer inspection, its design incorporated a paragon called Parametric Pixel design. This unique design used 8-bit inspired elements, heavily featured in the vehicle's LED lights, including headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. This retro-futuristic approach harkened back to old-school Nintendo aesthetics, giving the impression of a concept car embedded within a production vehicle.

The Ioniq 5 also sported aerodynamic wheels with intricate designs extending into the arches within the fender flares. A set of five horizontal lines wrapped around the vehicle's bottom half, evoking a sense of dynamic movement while offering a nod to digital inspiration.

Inside, the cabin of the Ioniq 5 did a complete 180, presenting a calming, low-key design. Available in subtle color schemes such as black, gray, and dark green, the interior created a relaxed atmosphere. The 'Living Space' theme was underscored by features like the 'Relaxation' mode for the driver's seat, allowing drivers to recline into a zero-gravity resting position when parked. Hyundai's commitment to sustainability was evident through the use of recycled and bio-materials for various interior elements, including door inserts, armrests, and upholstery.

The 2023 Kia Telluride, explored in Texas, featured two new models, X-Line and X-Pro, bringing refreshed front and rear styling, updated headlights, and new wheel designs. The palette boasted colors like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, paired with new interior hues such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green.

Replacing the Nightfall Edition, the Telluride X-Line offered a raised suspension, unique grille design, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro further enhanced the rugged appearance with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, complementing the updated bumper designs for a hearty off-roader look.

Internally, updates were more subtle with the notable inclusion of a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system housed under a contiguous 24-inch glass panel. The 2023 model exhibited minor trim changes, a redesigned steering wheel, and a restructured center console for improved functionality. Both the X-Line and X-Pro had their respective trims embossed into the front seatbacks.

Overall, the Ioniq 5 was marked by a futuristic, soft-tech design inside and out, focusing on comfort and sustainability, while the Telluride balanced rugged, off-road readiness with refined technological updates and interior enhancements.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 showcased versatile performance across its three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited—and configurations of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The base SE Standard Range model featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor producing 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range, available from spring 2022. The extended-range models, available immediately, used a more potent 168-kW motor generating 225 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving a range of 303 miles per single charge.

AWD variants combined a 74-kW front motor with a 165-kW rear motor, delivering a total of 320 hp and 446 pound-feet of torque, though with a slightly reduced range of 256 miles. Hyundai's strategy in offering RWD as standard emphasized better dynamics, yet the Ioniq 5 was more sedate in its driving character compared to sportier EVs like the Polestar 2 and Porsche Taycan.

Our limited trim AWD test vehicle handled winding canyon roads and highway stretches in San Diego with composure and adaptability. The inclusion of four driving modes, including Sport, provided some excitement with retuned torque distribution but at the cost of significant range depletion. Paddle shifters allowed for regenerative braking adjustments, a functional feature that added an interactive element to the drive. The Ioniq 5 also excelled in noise reduction with aerodynamic wheels and sound-deadening materials ensuring a quiet cabin environment.

Mechanically, the 2023 Kia Telluride retained its robust 3.8-liter V6 engine, pumping out 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with AWD models offering a low-speed Lock setting for power distribution between the front and rear wheels.

Performance metrics revealed an average of 24.1 mpg in X-Line models, while the X-Pro, after off-roading, clocked a lower 20.4 mpg. Off-road performance was enhanced by a raised suspension, improved ground clearance, approach and departure angles, and a refined traction control system. Features like the Downhill Brake Control system provided stability on challenging terrains, and the X-Pro's 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and improved cooling system increased its towing capacity to 5,500 pounds.

The Telluride's off-road capabilities were impressive for its class, especially when navigating the Texas hill country. On highways, it provided a smooth and connected ride with minimal wind noise. However, the all-terrain tires made it feel slightly less precise in turns.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), optimizing interior space and utility thanks to its extended wheelbase of 118.1 inches, surpassing Hyundai's seven-passenger Palisade. Though it appeared hatchback-like, the Ioniq 5's dimensions were closer to an SUV, offering more room than its competitors. For instance, the Ioniq 5 boasted a passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet, outclassing Ford Mustang Mach-E (101.1 cu-ft) and Volkswagen ID.4 (99.9 cu-ft).

Cargo space, however, was more modest, with 27.2 cubic feet of rear cargo volume, compared to the ID.4’s 30.3 cubic feet and Mustang Mach-E’s 29.7 cubic feet. The interior was designed with usability in mind, featuring soft-touch points and flexible storage solutions like a moveable center console and a bench-style front seat for easier access.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Telluride offered exceptional versatility with seating for up to eight, depending on the second-row configuration. Our test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and ventilated front and second-row captain’s chairs.

Ample storage solutions included manual side-window sunshades, adjustable armrests, numerous USB ports, and overhead controls for the triple-zone climate system. The Telluride made it easy for passengers to access the third row, which, while not as spacious as the Volkswagen Atlas, was more accommodating than most in its class.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Telluride provided 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

Technological advancements in the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 were both groundbreaking and practical. At its core, the vehicle utilized a high-voltage, energy-dense system capable of ultra-fast charging and vehicle-to-load capabilities. With the ability to charge up to 80% battery capacity in just 18 minutes using a 350-kW charger, the Ioniq 5 could also support 800-volt infrastructures without additional adapters. It could gain 68 miles of range in just 5 minutes, with a full charge achieved in under 43 minutes during real-world tests.

Owners benefited from Hyundai’s partnership with Electrify America, offering unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years across a network of 700 stations. Inside, the Ioniq 5 featured beautifully designed 12.3-inch dual screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, equipped with an anti-glare finish for readability under various lighting conditions. Additional tech included a redesigned Blue Link app for EV charge management and compatibility with virtual assistants and artificial intelligence-powered voice recognition.

For the 2023 Kia Telluride, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system became standard, packed with features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services including a new Wi-Fi hotspot. Voice recognition performed reliably for standard commands but required manual adjustments for the climate control system.

Kia Connect integrated Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for remote control functionalities, supported OTA updates, and allowed simultaneous Bluetooth pairing of two devices. The Telluride’s infotainment suite included Driver Talk and Quiet Mode to aid communication and manage in-car audio, while upgrades like a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and wireless charging added luxury touches.

The 2023 Telluride also introduced digital-key technology compatible with multiple devices, a Full Display Mirror offering a video view of the rear, and a comprehensive head-up display showing navigation, driving assistance status, and more.

Safety was a strong suit for both vehicles. The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5's Hyundai SmartSense suite included an array of standard features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and collision avoidance systems. Its Highway Drive Assist I was a semi-autonomous system learning and adapting to the driver’s habits for a more personalized experience. Moreover, the vehicle introduced a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, although the feature was somewhat distracting in practice.

While official safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were pending, Hyundai's track record suggested high expectations for safety performance.

For the 2023 Kia Telluride, Kia extended its robust safety feature set to include new advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features encompassed forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and a new junction turning system with automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping and centering assist ensured comprehensive coverage.

Higher trims saw additions like front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and enhanced collision avoidance features. Highway Drive Assist 2.0 on SX trims offered semi-autonomous driving with lane-change assist.

The Telluride also included innovative alerts like Rear Occupant Alert with ultrasonic sensors and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert. While crash-test ratings were not available at publication, the Telluride’s suite aimed to provide a secure and supportive driving environment.