Latest News
2025 Subaru Impreza Review2025 Kia Telluride Review
Check out our comprehensive review of the 2025 Kia Telluride for details on the cabin, technology, amenities, and safety of this second-generation crossover.What’s New for the 2025 Kia Telluride
2025 Kia Telluride – kia.com | Shop 2025 Kia Telluride on Carsforsale.com
On sale since 2020, the Kia Telluride received a mid-cycle refresh in 2023, so changes versus last year’s model are scant, but still meaningful for 2025. All models now come with second-row side airbags and Highway Driving Assist 1.5, a semi-autonomous driving system.
There’s also a new Terracotta interior design on X models to go with embossed front seats. Going up against popular models like the Toyota Grand Highlander and Honda Pilot, the latest Telluride looks poised to continue its run as a compelling three-row crossover.
Carsforsale.com Score
9.25/10
Powertrain
Score
8.75/10
Interior
Score
9.5/10
Technology
Score
9.25/10
Value
Score
9/10
The Breakdown
Standard Highway Driving Assist
That styling
Kia’s warranty
Weak AWD fuel economy
Lack of a hybrid option
Wired smartphone mirrorin
Kia makes it easy to love the Telluride
2025 Telluride Specs
- 291 horsepower from base engine
- 262 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 10 available trims
- 21 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 87 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats folded
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2024
- Dual 12.3-inch displays
- Standard trailer sway control
- 10 years of powertrain coverage
2025 Kia Telluride Powertrain 8.75/10
Kia fits every 2025 Telluride with naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 rated for 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque that pairs with an 8-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) a $2,000 option on all but the Prestige and X models where it is included. This powertrain offers the benefit of smooth power delivery inherent to a big V6, but fuel economy is not so great as a result.
With FWD, the 2025 Telluride is rated for 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Those figures drop to 18, 23, and 20 respectively for AWD models. The Grand Highlander in FWD hybrid spec delivers 36 mpg combined for reference. However, that V6 does enable a 5,000-pound tow rating on base Tellurides or 5,500 pounds for X models. Other notable X-Line and X-Pro features include an extra 0.4 inches of ride height and, on X-Pros, all-terrain tires for a bit of extra rough road capability.
2025 Kia Telluride Interior 9.5/10
The Telluride is big inside with three rows of seating that offer 42 inches of second-row legroom and 31 inches for the way-way back. Synthetic leather comes standard with the real thing on EX models and above. Depending on the model, there is room for eight with a second-row bench or seven when captain’s chairs are fitted and heated front seats are included from the S trim on up.
Fold both rear rows down to open up 87 cubic feet of cargo space, but even with those seats upright, there are 21 cubes of room on hand. As for creature comforts, dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, heated front seats show up on the S model, ventilated front seats are standard on the EX trim and above with high-end features like Nappa leather and climatized second-row seats arriving on the SX Prestige trim.
2025 Kia Telluride Technology Features 9.25/10
Though wireless smartphone mirroring is strangely absent from the entire 2025 Telluride lineup, the wired version is standard as is a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, navigation, a 6-speaker stereo, and five USB ports. A matching digital gauge cluster joins the lineup on SX models, which also boast a 10-speaker audio system from Harman Kardon.
On the safety side, the Telluride earns a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHs – both the highest available scores. Nine airbags come standard as does forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, AND Highway Driving Assist.
2025 Kia Telluride Trims & Pricing
LX – $36,190
Base Telluride LX models come with 18” wheels, full LED exterior lighting, heated side mirrors, and remote engine start. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver-attention monitor, rear parking sensors, and safe exit assist are also included.
S – $39,090
The S trim line adds 20” wheels, a sunroof, and a hands-free liftgate. Interior upgrades consist of a power-adjustable driver’s seat, second-row captain’s thrones, and a wireless phone charging pad.
EX – $41,790
Power-folding side mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, and second-row window shades show up on the Telluride EX.
SX – $45,890
Stepping up the Telluride SX brings dual sunroofs, digital key technology, ambient cabin lighting, dual 12.3-inch displays, a blind-spot view monitor, and a surround-view monitor.
EX X-Line – $46,085
The EX X-Line kicks off the X variants by blending regular EX content with gloss black exterior accents and a heated steering wheel.
EX X-Pro – $47,085
X-Pro indicates the highest level of unpaved road capability for the Telluride. These models come with all-terrain tires, a slightly higher ground clearance, and special X-Pro 18” wheels. There is also a household-style power outlet on hand.
SX X-Line – $49,485
Like the EX X-Line, the Telluride SX X-Line is both fond of the letter X and more aggressively styled than the base SX trim line.
SX Prestige – $51,090
SX Prestige is the range-topping Telluride without the addition of more Xs to the moniker. It comes with rain-sensing wipers, a digital rearview mirror, Nappa leather, and a head-up display.
SX Prestige X-Line – $52,385
Along with blending the SX Prestige and X-Line vibe, these models have special 20” black-finished wheels.
SX Prestige X-Pro – $53,385
The most expensive 2025 Telluride is the SX Prestige X-Pro which adds some off-roading content to the fully-loaded SX Prestige variant.
2025 Kia Telluride Overall Value 9/10
Be aware, however, that the Volkswagen Atlas, one of our favorite three-row SUVs starts around the same price as the Telluride S but is better equipped with adaptive headlights, wireless smartphone mirroring, and climatized front seats. Of course, VW can’t compete with Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Although the SX model is very nicely equipped, I would recommend the 2025 Kia Telluride in S guise. It stays closer to the $40,000 mark, while still offering a lot to like – full LED lighting, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, loads of advanced driver aids, and the must-have heated front seats.
Carsforsale.com Overall Score 9.25/10
2025 Kia Telluride – kia.com | Shop 2025 Kia Telluride on Carsforsale.com
That V6 certainly boasts a kind of power delivery that’s hard to match in the more common boosted four-cylinder setup these days. However, the fuel economy is not great in comparison, so hopefully Kia is planning to offer a hybridized Telluride in the future to go along with the fully electric EV9.
The Kia Telluride has been heaped with praise since it blew up the three-row SUV scene in 2020 with broad-shouldered good looks, a powerful V6, and Kia’s signature value-packed style that leaned away from cheap and into premium. Accolades like “baby Range Rover” were even thrown around. The 2025 version continues to shine with few areas of issue. Aside from the powertrain.
FAQ’s About the 2025 Kia Telluride
What year was the Telluride released?
The first-generation Telluride arrived in 2020.
Does the Telluride have AWD?
Yes, FWD is standard on the 2025 Telluride with AWD available.
Does the Telluride have captain’s chairs?
Yes, depending on model, the Telluride comes with a second-row bench and room for 8 or second-row captain’s chairs and room for 7.
