Everyone knows the Kia Telluride is a popular SUV, which means it has been hard to find over the last years. Keep reading if you need a few reasons to buy the 2023 Mazda CX-9 over the 2023 Kia Telluride SUV.

The price is a good reason to buy the 2023 Mazda CX-9 Over the 2023 Kia Telluride

When Edmunds examined the newest 2023 Mazda CX-9 SUV, there wasn’t much to complain about. Mazda equipped the vehicle with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine which manages to get 227 hp with regular 87 octane unleaded fuel or 250 hp with 93 octane fuel. Depending on your chosen fuel, the torque works out to either 310 lb-ft or 320 lb-ft. This gets 20 mpg per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. All trim levels of the 2023 CX-9 are equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). Pricing for the CX-9 starts at $38,750 and goes up to $48,460 for the top trim level.

For the 2023 Kia Telluride, Edmunds says that not much has changed in the newest version. It still gets 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque from its 3.8L V6. Front-wheel drive is standard on all options, but AWD is available. While Kia hasn’t fully released pricing, the 2022 version starts at $33,390 and goes up to $43,290 for the top SX trim.

While these two seem evenly matched, you are unlikely to find a Kia Telluride for MSRP. It has been popular enough that dealerships mark the SUV up simply because demand remains high. This has the potential to change next year, but finding a 2023 CX-9 at MSRP will be easier.

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 offers a more refined interior over the 2023 Kia Telluride

Stepping inside the Mazda shows a sophisticated and clean interior. Mazda has been known to offer a pleasing cabin without too many fussy materials. That’s still the same in the 2023 Mazda CX-9 SUV. Mazda added a keyless entry and start system, plus a push-button start. The power rear liftgate is helpful for drivers and has a programmable height adjustment. A power sliding moonroof makes the inside seem roomier.

The driver’s seat is an eight-way power adjustable seat, while the passenger side adjusts six ways. Second-row captain’s chairs make access to the back even easier. Plus, the third row has 50/50 split fold-down seats to make more cargo room if needed.

The 2023 Kia Telluride doesn’t lack in any of these areas, but some drivers might not love the modern interior. If the Mazda is on the safe side of things, the Kia SUV sits squarely on the contemporary side. Older kids and families might appreciate the technology features in both SUVs, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Mazda SUV a better award for 2022

If you are considering buying the 2023 Mazda CX-9, it is an excellent time to buy. The writing is on the wall for larger three-row gasoline-powered SUVs such as this one, and Mazda has already announced a crossover version called the CX-90. Even with all of the options on the market, the 2023 CX-9 has a lot to offer buyers.

If buyers want the Kia Telluride to have a Telluride, nothing will change that. It is a popular SUV for a reason, and Kia has figured out the correct recipe with this one. For 2022, the Mazda had a slight edge for safety with an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick Plus. The Telluride only received the Top Safety Pick award.

While there are a few reasons to buy the 2023 Mazda CX-9 over the 2023 Kia Telluride, get whichever SUV you can find. Demand remains high, and supply is still low, which means fewer options to choose from. If you can find either of these SUVs at a reasonable price, that’s one of the best reasons to buy.