Video: 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Vs. 2023 Kia Telluride: Auto Show Faceoff

But we think what has the target on its back in the class, is the Kia Telluride. And I have some personal interest in this because my family truckster is a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. So I wanted to take a look at the new Atlas and see how it compares to the Tellurides. So let's check it out. These SUVs can be expensive. Top trim levels reach into the $50,000 range, so you wanna feel like it's worth the money. And as far as interior quality, the Telluride always delivered. In our comparison test where the last Atlas and the Telluride compete against each other, it was very, very clear the Telluride was near luxury, whereas the Atlas was just pretty pedestrian. Those highlights inside the Telluride on this top trim level are just the simulated wood materials. There's stitching, there's nice padding. Everything is just covered in really nice materials from top to bottom. The dials and the switches have nice textures on the steering wheel and the climate controls. It really does feel like a luxury car inside. But the 2024 Atlas definitely has something for the Telluride. Over at Atlas, they took a big swing for 2024. There are new materials, new design. It does not feel like the same car at this level, at kind of eye level. Up and below, you can kind of see the same elements. It is not quite as opulent as a Telluride, but it is much, much closer. That gap is very narrow now, and especially on higher trim levels like this where you're getting more stitch material, more nicely upholstered materials, and it just looks really good. And functionally, I like what they've changed too. You have this new gear selector that isn't as tall, so it's not hard to get stuff out of the cubby anymore. It's a slightly different cubby. You've got USB-C ports here. and what I really like though is this opened up storage below the console. So in addition to this new styling that looks and feels better, there are functional changes here too that really sticks with the Atlas theme of we're gonna make it as big, and usable, and as family friendly as possible. And that definitely has not changed. The Tellurides multimedia and control system is no nonsense, easy to use. There are physical buttons instead of touch sensitive ones. And for 2023, the Telluride got a significantly larger 12.3 inch touchscreen and an available digital instrument panel that ups the user friendliness and techie feel. When I first learned there was a 2024 Atlas coming, I kept saying to myself, "Please don't give it the ID.4 controls. Please don't give it the ID.4 controls." Ah well, they gave it the ID.4 controls. So that is touch sensitive controls here. The physical climate controls are now gone, and the steering wheel has the haptic controls that we've seen on the Golf-R and the ID.4. And there are a couple reasons why this has not been one of my favorite systems. And that is, you know, false activation by accidentally swiping, but also without having the physical controls, you lose that point of like physical quality, you know. In the Telluride, you have these really interesting textures on the steering wheel and the climate controls. And you know, you may like this clean design, it's a personal preference. But that's where I would give the Telluride the edge. The Atlas second row remains cavernous. It's huge. There's just so much room back here. It's been one of the greatest advantages of the car. And one of the standout features that families will love is the tilt forward second row, that is unchanged. And with a certain style car seat and attachment, you can move the car seat forward in the seat and have third row access. And that's huge. The Atlas's third row also has the advantage, and that starts with access because that tilt forward second row slides forward to give you a lot more room than the Telluride to get in the back. And then once you're back here, it's just a lot more comfortable. My knees don't sit as high off the ground. I have plenty of head room. And the one difference is the Telluride technically has seating for three in the back, in the third row. But not realistically, you're not gonna fit three people back there. Yeah, this is not a seat. Even though there's a seat belt here, there is not a seat. Yep, that doesn't work. This has just much more comfortable seating for two. If you haven't picked up on the theme yet, the Atlas is big and that continues in the cargo area. We've measured a lot more cargo area behind the third row of the Atlas than the Telluride in previous versions. Where the Telluride does have an advantage, though, is it has those second row releases in the way back here. You're gonna have to do the second row releases manually. Up until now, the Atlas has been the practical choice. It's been big, roomy, but not necessarily the highest quality interior. And the 2024 Atlas steps that up in a big way. What we don't know is the other piece of the puzzle, which is pricing. Pricing will be announced closer to summertime 2023. And when we know more information on pricing, you'll be able to find that on cars.com.