What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Kia Telluride? What does it compare to?
Kia’s Telluride is a well-equipped, value-oriented crossover SUV with three seating rows. Its cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, is its closest competitor, though other rivals include the Subaru Ascent, Ford Explorer, Volkswagen Atlas, and Nissan Pathfinder.
Is the 2025 Kia Telluride a good SUV?
Yes, if you’ve made your peace with the fuel economy compromises. It racks up a 7.2 TCC Rating on our 10-point scale, thanks to its muscular design, spacious interior, and smooth ride. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2025 Kia Telluride?
For 2025, Kia updates the Telluride with some minor styling tweaks and changes to its list of features. Outside, the X-Line and X-Pro models swap out trim, roof rails, and emblems in favor of gloss black versions, and inside, the X versions get embossed front seats and a new Terracotta color palette. All models now come with Kia’s Highway Driving Assist system, which enables short hands-free stints on certain roads, the X-Line and X-Pro get dual 12.3-inch touchscreens. and Kia’s Digital Key system is available across most of the range.
The Kia Telluride is one of the more attractive three-row crossovers on the market, with boxy, blocky lines that lend a look and feel more like a traditional body-on-frame SUV. Big wheels and a wide front grille add to the effect, and the X-Line model goes a step further, with an increased ride height and more robust-looking bumpers. It’s not as capable off-road as Jeep’s Grand Cherokee L, but otherwise it gets the job done.
Inside, the Telluride is just as sophisticated, with its low dashboard, topped with a sharp a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and upscale materials and finishes. In higher trims, some upholstery and trim would look right at home in a luxury vehicle.
The Telluride’s main drawback is its 3.8-liter V-6. Its 291 hp is plenty for smooth acceleration and a towing capacity up to 5,500 pounds, but it’s thirsty, guzzling gas to the tune of 20 mpg combined when equipped with all-wheel drive. Many competitors offer electrification options for better efficiency.
Other aspects of the Telluride’s performance shine, however, particularly its smooth, luxury-like ride, even on its biggest available wheels, and well-weighted steering.
The Telluride easily accommodates four adults across the first two rows, and the rearmost row has good room for teens. The choice of a three-seat bench or a pair of captain’s chairs is available for the middle row.
Crash tests for the 2024 Telluride yield reassuring results, and Kia supplies plenty of driver-assistance technology, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and newly standard highway assist. Consider spending extra for the surround-view camera system, which helps alleviate blind spots caused by the thick rear pillars.
How much does the 2025 Kia Telluride cost?
For 2025, the Kia Telluride starts at $37,585 for the base LX trim with front-wheel drive, which includes the $1,395 destination charge. This buys synthetic leather upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, manually adjustable front seats, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Telluride S, at $40,485, doesn’t add much more than 20-inch wheels, but the EX, for $43,185, adds genuine leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a power liftgate, among other amenities. The SX, at the top of the front-wheel-drive lineup, costs $47,285. All but the LX are available with all-wheel drive for another $2,000.
The Telluride’s EX trims are also available in X-Line and X-Pro packaging with all-wheel drive for $47,480 and $48,480, respectively. At the top, there’s the SX X-Line AWD for $50,880, the SX-Prestige AWD for $52,485, the SX-Prestige X-Line AWD for $53,780, and the SX-Prestige X-Pro AWD for $54,780. That’s arguably too many variations. The top versions are nice for sure, but it’s hard to see the value at that point.
Where is the 2025 Kia Telluride made?
Kia builds the Telluride in its West Point, Georgia, production facility.
