All New 2022 Mazda CX-9 Compared to the Kia Telluride

The rise in popularity of the midsize SUV over the past few decades has resulted in an abundance of models from various manufacturers that promise rugged and dependable performance with sleek designs and style. Two of the most popular midsize SUVs on the market are the Mazda CX-9 and the Kia Telluride. These vehicles have similarities in their features and capabilities, but they have some noteworthy differences in their style, space, performance, and price tags.

Our dedicated team members here at Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth have put together this article comparing and contrasting the Mazda CX-9 and Kia Telluride in terms of their trims, size, exterior and interior features, tech, safety, and, of course, cost.

Trim Levels and Pricing

Both the Mazda CX-9 and the Kia Telluride come in multiple trim levels to provide you with additional customization based on your wants and needs. The 2022 Mazda CX-9 is currently available in six trims: Sport, Touring, Touring Plus, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature. Conversely, the Kia Telluride has four trim levels: the LX, S, EX, and SX. In terms of options, the CX-9 offers you two more trims to explore based on your standards for elements like safety, space, technology, and convenience.

Here’s a breakdown of each CX-9 trim and their starting MSRPs:

• Sport: Starting MSRP of $35,630.
• Touring: Starting MSRP of $37,780.
• Touring Plus: Starting MSRP of $40,860.
• Carbon Edition: Starting MSRP of $43,930.
• Grand Touring: Starting MSRP of $44,790.
• Signature: Starting MSRP of $47,560.

Here’s a breakdown of each Telluride trim and their starting MSRPs:

• LX: Starting MSRP of $33,090.
• S: Starting MSRP of $35,590.
• EX: Starting MSRP of $38,090.
• SX: Starting MSRP of $42,990.

Performance

The 2022 Mazda CX-9 entry-level Sport trim runs on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission complete with the manual-shift and sport modes. This engine can produce up to 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque when paired with regular gasoline, and 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. The base trim Telluride LX has a slightly larger 3.8-liter V-6 engine paired with an electronically controlled eight-speed automatic transmission with four drive modes: comfort, eco, sport, and smart. This engine puts out 291 horsepower and up to 262 pound-feet of torque.

While the Kia Telluride has available all-wheel drive on all trim levels, the Mazda CX-9 has this as a standard feature. In terms of fuel efficiency, the CX-9 has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. This is the same as the front-wheel-drive Telluride’s EPA estimates, although the Telluride’s all-wheel-drive model has a fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city versus 24 mpg on the highway. When properly equipped, the CX-9 is able to tow up to 3,500 pounds of cargo, while the Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Exterior Features

Some of the standard exterior features on the Mazda CX-9 include a front grille with a bright finish, automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated side mirrors, and rear privacy glass. It also comes standard with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and all-season tires. The Mazda CX-9 is available in seven exterior colors, depending on the trim level: Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Machine Gray Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Sonic Silver Metallic, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, and Polymetal Gray Metallic.

Standard exterior features on the Kia Telluride LX include a front grille with a gloss black insert and chrome detailing, heated mirrors, solar control glass, privacy glass, automatic LED lights, and a sound-absorbing windshield. It also has 18-inch alloy wheels with a painted finish and a shark fin antenna. The Telluride LX is available in five exterior paint colors: Everlasting Silver, Ebony Black, Glacial White Pearl, Gravity Gray, and Sangria.

Interior Features and Size

The CX-9 Sport trim has standard seating for up to seven passengers. It also gives you 71.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all the rear seats folded. Storage space on the model includes overhead, front center, and second-row consoles, seatback pockets, and a cargo area with storage boxes and under-floor space. It also features an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, a 60/40 split-folding second row, and a 50/50 split-folding third row. It also includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, carpet floor mats, heated front seats, and black cloth interior surfaces. Higher trims have leather interior options available.

The Kia Telluride has standard eight-passenger seating with similar 60/40 split-folding second-row seats. It provides slightly more cargo space with 87 cubic feet when all the rear seats are folded. The storage space includes front, center, and rear consoles, as well as rear, leg, and shoulder room for added comfort. It also has reclining third-row seats with 60/40 split-folding and one-touch sliding and folding second-row seats. The Telluride’s other standard interior features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a dual-level cargo floor for added storage, and Black SynTex seating materials.

Tech and Safety

Both vehicles have standard features like a six-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth Wireless Technology. They also have steering-wheel-mounted audio and phone controls. The CX-9 has the Mazda Connect Infotainment System complete with a 10.25-inch full-color center display, voice command, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. The Telluride has standard tech features including Kia Connect with Navigation and a 10.25-inch touch-screen display. It also has the driver talk feature, which amplifies the driver’s voice to the back seats, and quiet mode, which enables the sound system to focus on the front row of the vehicle.

Some of the standard safety features on the 2022 CX-9 include a rearview monitor, roll stability control, hill launch assist, a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, lane departure warnings, and the Mazda Radar cruise control system with Stop & Go. The Telluride comes standard with the Kia Drive Wise, a driver assist technology complete with forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and rear traffic avoidance, navigation-based cruise control, a driver attention warning system, a rearview monitor, and parking assistance.

So, there you have it. That’s our breakdown of the similarities and differences between the Mazda CX-9 and Kia Telluride. Want to see how other Mazda models compare to their competitors? Interested in buying a new or used car and have questions about our latest financing or leasing specials? Contact us today at Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth and a member of our team will be more than happy to take down your suggestions or walk you through the car-buying process.