Squares Square Off: 2020 Kia Telluride vs. 2019 Subaru Ascent Back-2-Back Test

[YEH]

2020 Kia Telluride vs. 2019 Subaru Ascent Back-2-Back Test - Motor Trend

When we first drove the new boxy-chic Kia Telluride’s, we declared its chief competitors to be the Pilot, the Highlander, and the new Explorer.

www.motortrend.com

Apparently, MT is working on a (3-row) mid-size CUV Big Test and hopefully, both the Telluride and Palisade will be included.

Just on looks, alone, would give the edge to the Telluride.

 

[Kia-Driver]

Nice review. Now they need to do a towing comparison.

 

[Tellmeride]

Yes, the Tell destroys the competition. If you want to find a worthy opponent, you will be looking at spending 2-3 times more. The Koreans are on a roll.

 

[SorentoSXL]

MT picked the Ascent. The Ascent is a solid vehicle but it's much too frumpy looking in my opinion. Subarus are popular but I don't think anyone buys one for style. I'm sure the Subbie will steal some orders due to the supply crunch with the Telly and potentially the Palisade.

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[13_FST]

I'm not sure why they picked the Subaru when the Telluride is quicker, has shorter braking distance, has more features, has more interior room, has better warranty, is cheaper, has traditional 8-speed automatic, and has a V6 as opposed to a stressed out 4-cylinder turbo.

Only thing the Subaru has better is its AWD system and slightly better off-road quality.

I'd take the Telluride/Palisade over any of its competitors any day.

 

[regaphysics]

Interesting they like the Subaru seats better. Wonder if the Palisade seats are any better.

 

[eonblue]

Interesting they like the Subaru seats better. Wonder if the Palisade seats are any better.

Ive seen a couple complaints about seats on long trips.

 

[mrmac]

We tried to love the Ascent. Looked good enough outside, but the interior just didn’t get it. Then on our 78 mile test drive, I found the passenger seat to be miserably uncomfortable. We waited nearly a full year for the Telluride after that.

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[westcoastTelly]

subbie = fugly .......................IMHO !

 

[Tellmeride]

Now some guy’s gonna tell you that’s YOUR opinion. I learned the lesson today. LOL

 

[westcoastTelly]

Now some guy’s gonna tell you that’s YOUR opinion. I learned the lesson today. LOL

that's why I said IMHO...............( in my humble opinion ) , screw him anyway bawaaaaaaa , it's one UGLY friggin SUV

 

[mrmac]

that's why I said IMHO...............( in my humble opinion ) , screw him anyway bawaaaaaaa , it's one UGLY friggin SUV

Well, I don't know about ugly, but the Ascent sure doesn't have the masculine appearance of the Telluride.

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[westcoastTelly]

Well, I don't know about ugly, but the Ascent sure doesn't have the masculine appearance of the Telluride.

OK , you are appointed VP of Diplomacy ................. hahahahahahah

 

[ReLoaDeD BuLLiTT]

the Atlas is way stiffer competition than the ascent. much better looking too. i just bought my wife a brand new atlas SE w/tech r-line edition last sunday. it's one really nice SUV. i don't like it more than my telluride, but she does, and that's all that matters to her.

 

[SorentoSXL]

I showed my wife the Ascent, and she'd rather wait on the Telly. The Atlas looks good and so does that GMC Acadia (we rented one for a week on vacation 2 months ago). The Atlas is too big for wait we need, basically the same size as the Traverse. Also, I think the Telly has a much nicer looking cockpit than the VW. Since our Sorento lease was up in January, I bought an '11 CR-V as a place holder. May end up keeping it as a second car when we hopefully by the Kia over the winter if the market finally stabilizes by then. What a difference 3 years makes. We got the Sorento SXL for $1k under invoice before $5k in lease cash without even trying back in January '16! The MSRP was just over $45k at that time.

 

[SorentoSXL]

the Atlas is way stiffer competition than the ascent. much better looking too. i just bought my wife a brand new atlas SE w/tech r-line edition last sunday. it's one really nice SUV. i don't like it more than my telluride, but she does, and that's all that matters to her.

View attachment 2350

That's a nice looking ride. Can't fault the looks of this bad boy.

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[emj123]

Telluride looks better, but I think, if the money had been closer, (I wanted the Touring) I would have gone with the Ascent.

 

[YEH]

Keep in mind, it's just one review; C/D and Edmunds have the Telluride ranked higher than the Ascent, Atlas, etc.

The Straight Pipe guys have the Telluride as their fave CUV for the segment (and even would choose it over some lux options).

They esp. loved the Advanced Smart Cruise Control.

 

[regaphysics]

I found the ascent to be loads better than the atlas. Atlas reliability is atrocious, expensive to fix when it does break, you need to go to top trim for leather (which makes it the most $$), underpowered engine with a poor tranny, stiff over larger bumps, and the seating position was by far the worst. The ascent I found to be much nicer - especially if you plan on actually going off road or towing. The CVT is a major downside, though, as was the passenger seat comfort.

 

[ReLoaDeD BuLLiTT]

I found the ascent to be loads better than the atlas. Atlas reliability is atrocious, expensive to fix when it does break, you need to go to top trim for leather (which makes it the most $$), underpowered engine with a poor tranny, stiff over larger bumps, and the seating position was by far the worst. The ascent I found to be much nicer - especially if you plan on actually going off road or towing. The CVT is a major downside, though, as was the passenger seat comfort.

you need to go all the way up to the EX just to get real leather. my wife's middle of the road SE w/tech and r-line package, which we got for only 33k had leatherette and a ton of options. it rides just as smooth as my telluride and is peppy AF. i don't agree with your opinions at all, but to each their own. her car is pretty much as nice as mine, for almost 7 grand less.