2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2022 Kia Telluride attracted consumers with its muscular design and balanced proportions, featuring trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. For 2022, Kia made only minor changes to the grille pattern and added new badges. The Telluride was available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with prices ranging from $32,790 to $44,590, plus a destination charge. The interior was well-designed, though the lower half's glossy plastic looked cheap, especially in the SX Prestige with its Nappa leather upholstery and simulated suede headliner. Despite this, the Telluride offered numerous new standard features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and advanced driving aids.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, such as gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lit up. The ID.4, based on VW’s MEB platform, had a minimalist interior design with quality materials, even in the base Standard model. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fibers was standard for 2023. The ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. Small changes to the interior for 2023 improved functionality, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone.

The 2022 Kia Telluride was satisfying to drive, powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered AWD with a Lock mode for power delivery to the front and rear axles. The Telluride performed well in snow and on muddy roads, and its brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system enhanced its handling on dry pavement. Drivers could choose between Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes. The Telluride returned 21.1 mpg in combined driving during testing, matching the EPA estimate. It had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, with RWD only. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus had an 82-kWh pack and were available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models had 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4 used regenerative braking but did not offer one-pedal driving. It provided a familiar driving experience for EV newcomers.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with an upscale, organized interior. Thoughtful details included overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, rear smartphone storage pouches, and USB ports in the front seatbacks. Dual-zone automatic climate control served front-seat occupants, while a single-zone panel served the rear. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. All three rows of seats were comfortable for adults, and the Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with it folded, and 87 cubic feet in total. The Telluride's folding seats and flat load floor made it practical for hauling large items.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than a Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf. It had 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with a capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. Small changes to the interior for 2023 improved functionality, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone. Three-zone climate control was now available, with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

For 2022, the Kia Telluride featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation as standard equipment. However, it lost the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality provided by the old 8-inch display. USB charging ports were available in all three rows, and a wireless smartphone charging pad was standard in all versions except the LX. Kia Connect offered a range of connected services, including emergency assistance, remote engine start, and home-to-car smart speaker integration. The Telluride also had a standard Quiet Mode and Driver Talk function. The SX test vehicle included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trim levels. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel replaced conventional buttons, which could be distracting. The ID.4 featured ID.Light, an ambient lighting system that also provided navigation cues. The voice recognition system was effective, making it easier to use than the touchpads.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies under Kia Drive Wise. These features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction. The Telluride also had Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Safe Exit Assist warned occupants not to open a door when vehicles or cyclists were approaching. The SX test vehicle had Blind-Spot View Monitor technology. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, and similar ratings were expected for the 2023 model. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. Emergency Assist 3.0 and Park Assist Plus were also standard for 2023.