Page 31 - Motor Trend (May 2020)

COVER STORY

Kia Telluride Mazda CX-9 Subaru Ascent Toyota Highlander Volkswagen Atlas
2.5 sec 2.4 sec 2.9 sec 2.5 sec 2.7 sec
3.9 3.6 4.0 4.0 4.0
5.2 5.1 5.5 5.4 5.6
7.2 7.1 7.3 7.2 7.8
9.3 9.3 9.6 9.6 10.1
11.5 12.3 12.4 12.1 12.9
14.5 15.6 16.1 14.9 16.5
17.7 19.7 20.4 19.1 —
3.7 3.8 3.7 3.7 4.1
15.4 sec @ 92.9 mph 15.5 sec @ 89.7 mph 15.8 sec @ 89.2 mph 15.6 sec @ 91.5 mph 15.9 sec @ 88.3 mph
118 ft 121 ft 118 ft 116 ft 121 ft
0.80 g (avg) 0.85 g (avg) 0.80 g (avg) 0.82 g (avg) 0.84 g (avg)
27.3 sec @ 0.63 g (avg) 27.1 sec @ 0.64 g (avg) 27.4 sec @ 0.63 g (avg) 27.4 sec @ 0.63 g (avg) 27.1 sec @ 0.62 g (avg)
1,600 rpm 1,900 rpm 1,500 rpm 1,400 rpm 1,800 rpm

Completing the field is the Chevrolet
Traverse, the biggest three-row SUV in
the segment. With gobs of cargo room
and ample passenger space, the Traverse
has been a popular model for Chevy. Our
$47,990 Traverse Premier arrived with an
easy-to-use 8.0-inch infotainment screen
and a video rearview mirror, which can
project a camera view onto the mirror in
case passengers or cargo block your view.

Even more than driving dynamics,
buyers of big SUVs want convenience and
space. But they also don’t want a crude
box. Every day, you run errands, pick
the kids up from school, and commute
to work. That’s a lot of time inside your
vehicle. And when you’re spending nearly
$50,000 for an SUV, you want it to look
and feel plush, spacious, and comfortable.
EVEN MORE THAN DRIVING DYNAMICS, The Kia Telluride was the SUV with
BUYERS OF BIG SUVS WANT CONVENIENCE AND by far the most sumptuous interior.
SPACE. BUT THEY DON'T WANT A CRUDE BOX. The quilted leather, spacious second
row, and 10.25-inch touchscreen are all
traits of today’s luxury-brand SUVs, but
Ascent Touring we tested came with Pilot arrived with a price of $50,740, the this one comes at a mainstream price.
handy interior features and camel-colored highest in this test, but its design package The Telluride also shines by virtue of its
leather seats. For $47,017 as equipped, the makes it a strong value that has aged well. multiple smartly positioned USB ports in
Ascent carries strong value. The Volkswagen Atlas is the only the first, second, and third rows. “Getting
The Mazda CX-9 was launched back European player in the segment, and into the Telluride after the Highlander
in 2016, but its design continues to be it has a distinct personality. With was like being upgraded to business class
among the freshest in the segment. The 20-inch wheels, a second-row bench on a long flight,” features editor Christian
CX-9 has been known as the driver’s SUV; seat (captain’s chairs are optional), and Seabaugh said.
it has impressed us with its handling and heated front seats, the $49,390 Atlas SEL The price difference between the two
maneuverability. Our Signature-trim feels pricey when you compare it to the is more than $5,000, but the upgrades go
tester had nice materials and was decently Koreans. But it’s enormous inside. even beyond that. “All the buttons, knobs,
equipped, but its $47,715 price tag seemed Based on a new rear-drive unibody and switches in the Telluride have the
a bit too high for what you get. Its cabin platform, the Ford Explorer has been extra-premium feel you would expect
feels narrower than the others, and its re-engineered from the ground up for the from a higher-end brand,” editor-in-chief
technology is aging. 2020 year-model. The platform is a first Mark Rechtin said.
The Honda Pilot is the longest-tenured for the Explorer, and Ford updated the In contrast, the Highlander’s driver
SUV in this group. Our Black Edition new generation with an angular design position is so far inboard that the driver’s
was the only Pilot available (but at least and a more spacious cabin. Our XLT elbow won’t rest comfortably on the
Honda provided one; Nissan declined our tester arrived with a price of $47,715 and a door-mounted armrest. Although it’s
request for a final-year Pathfinder). Our surprisingly short list of amenities. the newest entrant in the segment, we

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