Compare the2023 Kia TellurideVS 2023 Buick Enclave

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia Telluride are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Buick Enclave doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

Both the Telluride and Enclave have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Telluride has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Enclave’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Kia Telluride has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Telluride and Enclave have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Telluride has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic.

The Telluride’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Enclave doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Telluride and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Buick Enclave:

	Telluride	Enclave
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.9 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Buick Enclave:

	Telluride	Enclave
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	41	69
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	93 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	449 lbs.	716 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Enclave:

	Telluride	Enclave
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	68	141
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	446 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.18 in	1.5 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	1026 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head Injury Criterion	70	189
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	-67 lbs.	201 lbs.
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	491 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Telluride its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Enclave has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Telluride comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Enclave’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Telluride 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Enclave. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Enclave ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Telluride has a standard 800-amp battery. The Enclave’s 730-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Telluride second among upper midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Enclave isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked second.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 2 places higher in reliability than Buick.

Engine

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Telluride is faster than the Buick Enclave:

	Telluride	Enclave
Zero to 30 MPH	2.7 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.2 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Telluride FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Enclave FWD (20 city/26 hwy vs. 18 city/26 hwy).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Telluride’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

	Telluride	Enclave
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.6 inches

The Telluride stops much shorter than the Enclave:

	Telluride	Enclave
70 to 0 MPH	162 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	134 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Telluride LX/X-Pro’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Enclave’s standard 65 series tires. The Telluride S/EX/SX’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Enclave’s optional 55 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Telluride has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Enclave doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Telluride’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.7% to 44.3%) than the Enclave’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Telluride more stable handling and braking.

The Telluride SX 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the Enclave Avenir pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Telluride SX 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Enclave Avenir (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Telluride has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Telluride to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Telluride X-Line/X-Pro’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the Enclave (8.4 vs. 7.5 inches).

Chassis

The Kia Telluride may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Buick Enclave.

The Telluride is 7.9 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the Telluride easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Telluride SX 4x4 is quieter than the Enclave Essence:

	Telluride	Enclave
At idle	36 dB	38 dB
Full-Throttle	74 dB	78 dB
70 MPH Cruising	63 dB	67 dB

Passenger Space

The Telluride has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Enclave can only carry 7.

The Telluride has .2 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more rear headroom, 4.1 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more third row headroom than the Enclave.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Telluride’s middle and third row seats recline. The Enclave’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Telluride. The Enclave doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Telluride’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (5000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Telluride uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Enclave doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Telluride’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Enclave’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The Telluride has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Enclave doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Telluride to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Enclave doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Telluride EX/SX has standard front air conditioned seats and the Telluride SX Prestige also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Enclave doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Telluride owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Telluride with a number “8” insurance rate while the Enclave is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

The Telluride will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Telluride will retain 54.84% to 55.57% of its original price after five years, while the Enclave only retains 43.19% to 43.97%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Telluride is less expensive to operate than the Enclave because typical repairs cost less on the Telluride than the Enclave, including $183 less for a water pump, $39 less for front brake pads, $32 less for fuel injection, $7 less for a fuel pump and $25 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Kia Telluride will be $10681 to $12090 less than for the Buick Enclave.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Kia Telluride as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its November 2019 issue and they ranked the Kia Telluride SX 4x4 first. They ranked the Buick Enclave Essence fifth.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Telluride second among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Enclave isn’t in the top three in its category.

Motor Trend selected the Telluride as their 2020 Sport Utility of the Year. The Enclave has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Telluride as the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Enclave has never been chosen.

The Kia Telluride outsold the Buick Enclave by over three to one during 2022.

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