2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Volkswagen ID.4

Volkswagen made subtle styling changes to the 2023 ID.4, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design to improve aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lights up. Despite these updates, the ID.4 didn't look particularly SUV-like, lacking the upright profile and ground clearance typical of traditional SUVs. This could be a drawback for buyers attracted to those features, although it was a common issue among many electric vehicles.

The ID.4 was based on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, offering modularity to support various models. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, featuring a minimalist design and a sense of quality. Even the base ID.4 Standard model, with its manual driver’s seat, didn’t feel like a significant downgrade from higher-level trims. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts was standard for 2023, enhancing the eco-friendly appeal.

Kia offered the 2024 Telluride in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige, with the rugged X-Line treatment available for all but the LX and S trims. The X-Pro package was reserved for the top two trims. The X-Line package added standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with a center locking differential, increased ground clearance to 8.4 inches, improved approach and departure angles, unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package further added 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the maximum towing capacity to 5,500 pounds.

Prices ranged from $35,990 for the LX to $53,185 for the SX Prestige with the X-Pro package, excluding the destination charge. The SX Prestige with the X-Line package, which we drove, featured extra-cost Wolf Gray paint and floor mats, bringing the MSRP to $54,270, including the $1,365 destination charge. The Telluride’s good looks continued to attract buyers, with the Wolf Gray paint complementing the blacked-out X-Line styling. The interior of our test car featured premium Nappa leather seats, although the black color wasn’t the most appealing. Depending on the trim and exterior hue, other interior color options included Mahogany brown, Terracotta brown, light gray over black or dark blue, and Sage Green, all complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with rear-wheel drive (RWD). The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus trims retained the 82-kWh battery pack, available with either RWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models increased output to 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, potentially improving acceleration and handling. The 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt spritely during a short drive, but more seat time was needed for a proper comparison with the larger-battery RWD version.

The ID.4’s AWD version offered acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like VW’s Golf GTI and Golf R, but it lacked the handling prowess. While comfortable and refined, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll to be truly entertaining on twisty roads. It was a great vehicle for long drives, but it couldn’t fully exploit the nicest driving roads. The regenerative braking system didn’t support one-pedal driving, which might disappoint some EV enthusiasts, but it provided a more familiar experience for first-time EV drivers.

The 2024 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, transferred to the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Most Tellurides could tow 5,000 pounds, but the X-Pro package increased this to 5,500 pounds with heavy-duty engine cooling. AWD models included a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode, in addition to the standard Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. Ground clearance was 8.0 inches in standard spec, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, which also added a self-leveling rear suspension.

The Telluride offered easy acceleration to freeway speeds and good passing power, but it wasn’t very fuel-efficient. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving for AWD versions, but real-world testing averaged 19 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop and 17.5 mpg during a week of city driving. A hybrid drivetrain was overdue, with good power and decent fuel economy, similar to what Acura and BMW offered in their SUVs. Despite the fuel economy, the Telluride’s driving experience was quick and refined, with brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control and responsive steering. The ride felt firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, absorbing pavement undulations effectively.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than a Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing most other entry-level EVs. However, it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space. The ID.4’s towing capacity was 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models, offering some usable capability.

VW made small interior changes for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console, a better spot for a phone, three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls, and heated outboard rear seats. These updates improved functionality and comfort for passengers.

The 2024 Kia Telluride provided a comfortable interior, especially in higher trim levels. The SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with a range of adjustments, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and a third-row seat capable of transporting adults. A dual sunroof panel added light to the otherwise dark interior. The controls were oriented horizontally, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use, although the metallic finish buttons were hard to read on sunny days.

The Telluride included numerous thoughtful details, such as a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with a scenic landscape view that changed with the time of day. Accessible storage space was generous, with a covered cubby forward of the shifter, a tray for a smartphone, and ample room in the door panel bins. A hands-free power liftgate with automatic closing was available, providing convenience and safety. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum volume of 87 cubic feet, one of the most generous in the segment. The X-Line and X-Pro trims also featured useful roof rails for additional cargo capacity.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates to improve responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. Despite the updates, the user experience remained similar, with sharp graphics and a choice of smartphone-like icons or a traditional automotive split-screen view. Natural-language voice recognition was effective, but the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting and lacked physical feedback.

The ID.4 also featured ID.Light, an ambient lighting system that changed color based on drive mode and provided visual cues for navigation. While clever, it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection, and a conversational voice recognition system needed an active Kia Connect subscription. Despite these limitations, wireless pairing via Bluetooth was easy, and streaming internet radio was straightforward. The test vehicle’s Kia Connect subscription was inactive, so voice recognition couldn’t be tested, but it had worked well in past Kia vehicles.

Kia Connect offered four plans, with the Lite plan complimentary for five years and the Ultimate plan costing $199 annually. Features included 911 Connect, remote engine starting, climate pre-conditioning, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and over-the-air updates. The test vehicle also had satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Thoughtful features included a blue-light filter for the infotainment display, Quiet Mode, and a function that delivered the driver’s voice to rear-seat occupants through the stereo speakers.

Additional tech included a digital key function, a camera-based rearview mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. The Telluride also offered a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system, notifying the driver when traffic ahead started moving.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The ID.4 also included a good complement of standard driver-assist features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. For 2023, it added standard Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was equally impressive with its standard Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear occupant protection. Highway Driving Assist was standard, providing a semi-autonomous driving system with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. Safety feature upgrades included front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, lane-change assist, and automatic rear braking. The Telluride also offered a camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor system and Highway Driving Assist 2.0, which added automatic lane changing.

The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, ensuring optimum protection in the event of a collision.