The 2022 Ford Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for seven or six, with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, and a 35/30/35 split-folding second-row bench seat gives easy access in and out of the back row. A 50/50 split folding third-row seat will give you access to cargo. Cargo space gives you 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 87.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. Cloth upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are standard; and leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, front sport seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats, and massaging front seats are available and added to higher trims. A power liftgate and LED headlights comes standard; and an available hands-free liftgate and a cargo management system that adds under-floor storage and a reversible cargo floor is an option. A new sporty styling ST-Line trim is added to Explorer’s line-up this model year. The Explorer is available in eight trims: base, XLT, Limited, ST-Line, Timberline, ST, King Ranch and Platinum. The base Explorer has a starting price of $36,345 and ranges to a starting price of $56,985 for the Platinum.

The 2022 Kia Telluride is Kia’s first big three-row crossover SUV, and ranks near the top of the midsize SUV class. For 2022, it features an updated grille and new Kia badging. It has an upscale, roomy interior for up to eight passengers. A seven-seat layout is available, swapping out the bench seat for a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row. It has 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, 36-cubic feet with the third-row seats folded down, and 87 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. It also offers quality and comfort, with standard synthetic leather upholstery and manually adjustable front seats. Power adjustable front seats and genuine leather are available. The first- and second-row seats are supportive and supple, but the third-row seats aren’t as soft or roomy as those up front. The Telluride comes in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX. The Telluride LX has a starting price of $36,015 and ranges to a starting price of $45,815 for the Telluride SX. All-wheel drive adds an additional $2,000 to its starting price.

The Ford Explorer has an impressive list of safety and tech features, including a highly rated SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen that quickly connects to your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six speakers, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and four USB ports are also standard. Available features include a 10.1-inch touch screen with a portrait layout, a 12.3-inch customizable driver display, a 14-speaker Bank & Olufsen sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless device charging. For added assistance, the Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 technology and driver-assist features to add ease and safety to your driving. Standard safety features include blind spot monitoring, rearview camera, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and auto high-beam headlamps.

All Telluride models come equipped with a 10.2-inch touch screen that includes navigation, plus automatic climate control. Its infotainment system responds well and features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, six speakers, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and satellite radio are standard. Standard advanced driver assists and safety features include a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear-seat alert, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Few available safety features include front parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, head-up display, and surround-view parking camera system.

Most Explorer's models come standard with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and 300 horsepower, delivering a smooth and sturdy ride with its 10-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive platform. There are two available powertrains – a hybrid V6 and a high-performance V6. The Limited and Platinum are available with the hybrid powertrain, and it produces a combined 318 horsepower. The ST trim will give you a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The ST also comes with sport suspension and paddle shifters. Four-wheel drive comes standard in the two highest trims, but you can add four-wheel drive to the other trims for added cost, and the ST trim is now available with rear-wheel drive. Estimated fuel economy is 21/28 mpg in the city and on the highway with its base engine and 18/26 mpg city/highway with the twin-turbo V6 engines. When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600.

The Kia Telluride is offered in one powertrain – a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This gets you around town and up to speed to provide enough passing power; and its refined transmission shifts quickly and smoothly. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available. It gets an estimated 20/26 mpg in the city and on the highway. When properly equipped, the Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds.