2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue showcased a design that eschewed risky changes, opting instead for balanced proportions, attractive chiseled styling, and the requisite SUV details that exuded a rugged aura. The lineup, consisting of S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, had pricing starting at $27,360 and capping at $37,140, exclusive of a $1,295 destination charge. A premium look defined its Platinum trim, bolstered by features such as all-wheel drive, a two-tone paint job, a sleek frameless rearview mirror, floor mats, and accent lighting.

The interior, outfitted with soft, diamond-pattern leather seats, offered a touch of luxury. The Platinum version was loaded, taking the MSRP to $43,100, comparable to entry-level luxury models like the Infiniti QX50. While it delivered upscale materials where hands would likely touch, the Platinum trim accentuated Nissan's commitment to quality in its compact SUV segment.

By contrast, the 2024 Kia Telluride came in five trims: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige, with the addition of rugged X-Line and X-Pro packages for the higher trims. The X-Line package enhanced the SUV's off-road cred with all-wheel drive, enhanced ground clearance, unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package further improved capabilities with all-terrain tires and increased towing capacity.

The Telluride's design continued to captivate, despite recent updates that polarized some opinions. Our SX Prestige X-Line model came with a stunning Wolf Gray exterior and a sophisticated black interior featuring premium Nappa leather seats. The interior color choices added unique appeals, like Mahogany brown, festive Terracotta, and Sage Green, which paired well with the simulated open-pore wood trim. Despite some gripes about the shiny lower interior plastics, the SX Prestige's luxurious equipment, such as the dual-screen digital display and metallic accents, brought it close to luxury SUV standards.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue replaced its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a more modern turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder unit, boasting Nissan's variable compression design. The VC-Turbo engine churned out 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. This powerplant, paired with a seamless continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), powered either the front or all four wheels, contingent on whether the optional all-wheel drive system was chosen.

Despite offering Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes alongside Off-Road and Snow modes for all-wheel drive versions, there were mixed responses to its performance. While it felt responsive during city driving, highway passing power was lacking. Fuel economy was expected to be around 31 mpg but averaged at 28.9 mpg in testing, falling short of expectations. Criticisms also lingered about engine noise and vibration due to the three-cylinder configuration, slightly impacting perceived refinement.

On the other hand, the 2024 Kia Telluride harnessed power from a robust 3.8-liter V6, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Power was transmitted through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either front or all four wheels. Notably, the X-Pro's heavy-duty engine cooling elevated its towing capacity to 5,500 lbs compared to the standard 5,000 lbs.

The Telluride accelerated effortlessly to freeway speeds and offered robust passing power. Even though it wasn't exceptionally fuel-efficient—averaging 19 mpg in mountainous terrain and 17.5 mpg in city driving—it delivered a commendable overall driving experience. Brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control, coupled with responsive steering and a compliant ride, made it feel more athletic than many rivals. Its performance on undulating roads brought a smooth, camera-gimbal-like steadiness, enhancing driver comfort.

Overall, while both vehicles offered reasonable performance, the Telluride excelled with its power, comprehensive features, and enhanced handling.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue presented itself as a compact SUV that convincingly filled the role traditionally occupied by midsize cars. It excelled in offering better visibility, easier ingress and egress, and additional cargo space due to its higher ground clearance and available all-wheel drive, making it a practical choice for family usage. With seats for up to five, it prioritized comfort, especially in the front where Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional support, although rear seat comfort was less gratifying.

Our Rogue Platinum test model featured interior luxuries such as a triple-zone automatic climate system, panoramic sunroof, and semi-aniline leather upholstery. Despite good outward visibility and user-friendly controls, some frustrations were noted with the poorly designed key fob and rear seat comfort.

Cargo-wise, the Rogue offered up to 36.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with them folded down. The versatile Divide-N-Hide feature allowed multiple cargo configurations, adding to its practicality.

In comparison, the 2024 Kia Telluride offered a more spacious and versatile interior, suited for larger families or those requiring more adaptability. The SX Prestige X-Line trim featured luxurious enhancements such as heated and ventilated seats for both front and second-row passengers, with a roomy third row capable of seating adults. The dual sunroof added a bright, airy feel to the cabin.

Storage was thoughtfully distributed, with easy-to-access bins, a covered cubby, dedicated smartphone trays, and spacious door pockets. The Telluride excelled in cargo space, offering 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a class-leading 87 cubic feet with all rear seats down. Hands-free liftgate operation added convenience, though it had specific activation quirks.

Overall, the Telluride provided outstanding practicality and comfort, with more advanced seating options and greater cargo capacity than the Rogue.

In the realm of onboard tech, the 2023 Nissan Rogue lagged slightly due to its older infotainment system. The 9-inch touchscreen, paired with traditional volume and tuning knobs, included features like Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot access, and navigation. While Alexa Built-in was new for 2023, its functionality was limited during testing.

Complementing the infotainment setup, the Platinum trim offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display (HUD). Despite some shortcomings, such as voice recognition inaccuracies and an outdated interface, the overall system worked adequately.

Contrastingly, the 2024 Kia Telluride integrated a more modern and user-friendly tech suite. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system included essentials like Bluetooth, satellite radio, and wired smartphone connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A range of Kia Connect subscription plans added features like remote engine start, vehicle tracking, and voice recognition.

Prominent features such as a digital key, a camera-based rearview mirror, and an efficient head-up display set the Telluride apart. Additionally, the Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound quality, and thoughtful touches like a blue-light filter and Quiet Mode for rear passengers enhanced user experience.

Though the Telluride's tech edge was clear, both vehicles catered well to modern connectivity and usability needs.

Safety came standard with the 2023 Nissan Rogue, equipped with a full suite of features like 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Nissan’s Safety Shield 360—an assemblage of collision avoidance aids and driver assistance technologies. Additionally, higher trims included ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance for semi-autonomous highway driving.

Safety ratings were favorable, with the Rogue receiving a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, although it noted areas for improvement in specific crash tests.

Similarly, the 2024 Kia Telluride included a robust safety suite under the Kia Drive Wise banner. Standard features ranged from collision avoidance to rear occupant alerts, with semi-autonomous capabilities in Highway Driving Assist. Higher trims boasted advanced features like blind-spot view monitoring and Highway Driving Assist 2.0, the latter allowing automatic lane changes.

The Telluride's safety credentials were impeccable, with a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, underscoring its reliability and comprehensive protection in real-world scenarios.