Acura MDX vs. Kia Telluride: Compare Crossover SUVs
Three-row SUVs substitute for the minivan for many American families. They have the space and carrying capacity needed for runs to grocery stores and soccer games without the nerdy stigma of the minivan. As everyday transportation, many buyers want luxury in their SUVs, and the Acura MDX and Kia Telluride are two fine options in that regard.
The 2023 Acura MDX comes from a premium brand, and is expected to deliver luxury. It shares elements of its platform with the Honda Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan. It has all-wheel drive but isn’t meant for off-roading.
The 2023 Kia Telluride comes from a more mainstream brand, and its prices start in mainstream territory. However, its available amenities and interior quality push it into luxury territory to take on heavy hitters like the MDX.
Both SUVs serve families well and both offer real luxury. When it’s time to make the purchase decision, though, which one is best?
2023 Acura MDX
2023 Acura MDX
2023 Kia Telluride
2023 Kia Telluride
MDX vs. Telluride prices and features
Base MDX costs about $51,000
Base Telluride costs about $37,000
Best picks: MDX A-Spec and Type S, Telluride EX
How much is an Acura MDX?
Acura sells the MDX in base and Type S models, with available Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages. Base model buyers have to add all-wheel drive to get the Technology package, and the Type S only offers the Advance package.
The roughly $51,000 front-wheel-drive MDX comes well equipped with synthetic leather upholstery, 12-way power heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment display screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, a wifi hotspot, LED headlights, a power tailgate, and 19-inch alloy wheels. It also gets a great 4-year/50,000-mile warranty with two years or 24,000 miles of scheduled maintenance. All-wheel drive costs another $2,200.
The Technology Package adds leather upholstery, 12-speaker 550-watt ELS audio, front and rear parking sensors, ambient lighting, navigation, and 20-inch wheels to bring the price near $55,000.
For those who want to step up to all-wheel drive, we recommend the A-Spec package for just over $60,000. It gets heated and cooled leather sport seats, blacked-out trim, a 16-speaker ELS audio system, a flat-bottom steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, and a sport exterior appearance package.
We’d also be tempted by the Type S, which tops $68,000. In addition to more power, it also gets a sporty suspension tune, bigger Brembo brakes, an air suspension, adaptive dampers, and 21-inch wheels. At the very top of the lineup, the Type S with the Advance Package is about $74,000. It adds a 25-speaker ELS sound system, 16-way power front seats, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats, a hands-free tailgate, and a surround-view camera system.
How much is a Kia Telluride?
Kia offers the Telluride in LX, S, EX, and SX models, though the EX adds an X-Line trim, and the SX gets X-Line, X-Pro, and Prestige trims, some of which can be combined.
The base LX model starts at about $37,000, and comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wifi hotspot, remote start, LED headlights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. It also gets a great warranty covering 5 years/60,000 miles. All-wheel drive adds $2,000.
The S trim costs $900 more, bringing with it 20-inch wheels, a power driver seat, and a host of minor exterior and interior trim tweaks.
We recommend the EX at under $43,000. It comes with leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and cooled front seats, wireless smartphone charging, a sunroof, a power tailgate, and 20-inch wheels. EX buyers can also add the X-Line equipment, which raises the ride height, and comes with all-wheel drive, a self-leveling rear suspension, dark exterior trim, second-row captain’s chairs, and a heated steering wheel.
At the top of the lineup, the Telluride SX Prestige approaches $52,000. It gets all-wheel drive, dual sunroofs, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, nappa leather upholstery, memory for the driver seat, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, heated and cooled second-row captain’s chairs, a heated steering wheel, a 110-volt power outlet, and additional safety features.
For about $54,000, buyers can get the top model, the SX Prestige X-Pro with a self-leveling rear suspension, a cargo-area 110-volt outlet, dark exterior trim, and 18-inch wheels.
Advantage: Kia Telluride for its value.
2023 Kia Telluride
2023 Kia Telluride
2023 Acura MDX
2023 Acura MDX
MDX vs. Telluride performance
The MDX is fairly quick thanks to a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, which launches the family hauler from 0-60 mph in a little over seven seconds. Its 10-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and is responsive enough during daily driving, though you might want to use the paddle shifters or Sport mode for easier highway passing.
In addition to Sport, Acura provides Normal, Comfort, and Snow modes that change the transmission shift points, cluster display, and engine noise.
The MDX has a sportier feel than the softer Telluride. It’s aided by precise steering that turns the front tires through a double wishbone suspension. A multi-link independent rear suspension creates a smooth ride. Our only complaint is a non-linear brake pedal that builds up more response mid-way through its travel.
Acura has a performance ace in the hole in the Type S model, which features engine and chassis upgrades. Its 3.0-liter turbo V-6 spins out 355 hp and 354 lb-ft and cuts a good second or more off the 0-60 mph time.
The Type S also uses adaptive dampers to firm up the responses for better handling while leaving room for a comfortable ride, even with its 21-inch wheels. A standard air suspension lowers the ride height by 0.6 inch in Sport or Sport+ modes to improve agility and can raise it 2.0 inches to clear off-road obstacles. It also gets Brembo front brake calipers that maintain a firm pedal feel.
Front-drive versions of the MDX can tow 3,000 pounds, while all-wheel-drive versions can lug 5,000 pounds.
Over at Kia, the Telluride’s 3.8-liter V-6 beats the MDX by 1 hp, and it’s about as quick as the MDX. However, its 8-speed automatic requires digging deep into the throttle to access the power for highway passing. It’s simply tuned more for smoothness than outright speed, and it doesn’t snarl as nicely as the Acura engine.
That smooth character extends to the ride quality, which is exemplary. It’s composed over broken pavement, and the sounds from bumps are well deadened. The steering has decent weight, but feels a little numb. Same goes for the brakes.
Properly equipped, the Telluride can tow up to 5,500 pounds.
Advantage: Acura MDX for quicker moves and the fun Type S.
2023 Kia Telluride
2023 Kia Telluride
2023 Acura MDX
2023 Acura MDX
MDX vs. Telluride off-road and 4×4 systems
The Telluride has an off-road oriented model
The MDX has performance-oriented all-wheel drive
Neither has a 2-speed transfer case
Front-wheel drive comes standard on the base MDX, and all-wheel drive costs $2,200. It can send up to 70% of the power to the rear axle where it can be split more heavily to the outside wheel to help the MDX rotate through corners.
All-wheel drive is optional on the Telluride, but standard on models with the X-Line and X-Pro packages. Kia’s system can be locked into a 50/50 front-split at speeds up to 40 mph.
X-trim variants also have a roughly one-inch higher ground clearance, modified fascias for better approach and departure angles, plus knobbier tires. That gives those Tellurides the advantage off-road, but the MDX has the advantage on-road.
Advantage: Draw.
2023 Kia Telluride
2023 Kia Telluride
2023 Acura MDX
2023 Acura MDX
MDX vs. Telluride size, space, and seating capacity, and bed space
How big is the Acura MDX?
The MDX is 198.4 inches long and rides a 113.8-inch wheelbase. It comes with three rows of seats to accommodate up to seven passengers.
Up front, occupants get heated 12-way power seats that are covered in leather in all but the base model. They have good room in all dimensions.
Acura gives the MDX three second-row seats, but they can be turned into two. The middle seatback can be folded down to act as an armrest with cupholders and a tray for small items. The middle seat can also be removed entirely to provide a center path to the second row. It’s a clever bit of engineering that provides most of the benefits of both a bench seat and captain’s chairs minus fold-down armrests for the outboard seats. The second row also has 38.5 inches of legroom, which will serve almost any adult, and they can be moved forward and back 5.9 inches to balance legroom among the three rows.
Those outboard seats have a pushbutton to make the seats tuck and slide forward for easy access to the third row. The third row seats two, but not comfortably. It has just 29.1 inches of legroom, which will be too little for most kids.
Cargo space is also useful, with a modest 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row that expands to far more accommodating 48.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 71.4 cubes behind the first row.
How big is the Kia Telluride?
The Telluride is slightly shorter than the MDX at 196.9 inches, but its 114.2-inch wheelbase is fractionally longer.
The Kia’s lower base price is reflected in standard front seats without power adjustments in the base model. However, the first row has comfortable seats with good space. Power adjustments are standard on all models above base and the Telluride offers heated and cooled first- and second-row seats, though the latter are only available at the top of the lineup.
In the second row, Kia offers a three-passenger bench or optional captain’s chairs. Either way, the second-row is easy to get into through large rear doors.
It’s also easy to get into the third row, which beats the MDX by about two inches in legroom and headroom. It’s still small, but it will work in a pinch for adults on a short trip.
The Telluride’s more upright design gives it better cargo space. It has 21.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 87.0 cubic feet behind the third row, making it easier to carry things in the Kia than the Acura.
Advantage: The Telluride by the numbers.
2023 Kia Telluride
2023 Kia Telluride
2023 Acura MDX
2023 Acura MDX
MDX vs. Telluride styling
MDX looks sportier
Telluride is blockier
High-quality interiors
The MDX sports a wide, low look fronted by a shield-shaped grille with a large Acura logo in the middle that looks like it’s making the jump to hyperspace. The grille flows into thin, horizontal LED headlights that wrap into the sides. Outboard air intakes—larger on the Type S—sit in the middle of the nose above another wide bottom intake.
The profile features a greenhouse that flows back from a long hood and resolves in rear pillars that angle forward. A prominent lower character line gives something of a Coke-bottle shape to the body. It comes standard with 19-inch wheels. and the Type S has a more planted stance with 21s.
Inside, the MDX has a lot going on thanks in part to some of the controls. The infotainment system requires a touchpad on the center console, the drive mode selector is a silver dial that sits low in the middle of the dash, and the gear shift is a series of buttons. The infotainment screen pokes out from the top of the dash, and doesn’t seem fully integrated. The materials are a fine mix of wood or aluminum trim, sturdy plastics, and rich leather.
The Telluride is just as good looking, perhaps better on the outside, and not quite as high-end on the inside.
The exterior has a classy, more upright look than the MDX. A chunky rectangular grille pinches in the center around a Kia logo and is flanked by upright rectangular headlights. A lower fascia wears a rectangular intake with its own rectangular surround.
The profile has rounded and blocky shapes with a roofline that isn’t as fast as the MDX’s. The sides are mostly smooth, but a chrome trim strip sits between the tires, while the wheel flares and lower body get subdued cladding. X-Line models sit about an inch higher off the ground, have blacked out trim, and use knobbier tires.
The cabin has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen under one piece of glass. Kia dresses up the interior with synthetic or real leather upholstery that can sport a diamond pattern. It also gets wood trim with metal accents. It’s a good-looking interior that rises to luxury level at the top of the lineup.
Advantage: Draw.
2023 Kia Telluride
MDX vs. Telluride safety
Both get five stars from the NHTSA
Both are IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winners
Telluride has better outward visibility
How safe is the Acura MDX?
The MDX gets the highest ratings from the IIHS and the NHTSA, earning Top Safety Pick+ and five-star ratings, respectively.
Acura also gives the MDX plenty of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, a driver-attention monitor, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a system that can handle the controls in traffic jams. Safety options include a surround-view camera system and front and rear parking sensors.
The rear headrests and thick rear pillars create blind spots out the back of the MDX.
How safe is the Kia Telluride?
The Telluride also gets top honors from both crash-test agencies, and has good outward visibility.
The Telluride comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, automatic high beams, a driver-attention monitor, active lane control, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts, rear occupant alerts, and a safe exit system. Also offered are front parking sensors, a blind-spot camera in the instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and a highway driving assist system that handles most of the controls but requires drivers to pay attention and periodically put their hands on the steering wheel.
Advantage: Draw.
2023 Acura MDX
Which is better: MDX or Telluride?
That’s a matter of perspective, as both vehicles earn a good TCC Rating of 7.4 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
The Telluride is clearly the better bargain. It’s roomy, good looking, safe, and the top of its lineup can challenge the MDX for luxury. It’s the choice for buyers looking to save some money. However, the MDX is sportier in its base model and offers a performance model Kia can’t match. It also makes no apologies in terms of looks, room, and safety. Which is right for you will be based on taste and budget.