2025 Kia Telluride Review: Specs And Owner Insights

2025 Kia Telluride at a Glance

The 2025 Kia Telluride has a spacious interior with seating for seven or eight, depending on the trim, and up to 87 cubic feet of cargo space.
A 3.8-liter V-6 engine powers the Telluride with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, enabling it to tow up to 5,500 pounds.¹
Keep your crew safe with 17 standard driver-assistance systems and connected via the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation.
Choose from 10 trim levels with distinct features and styling, as well as front- or all-wheel drive.

Kia Telluride Review: 3-Row Excellence

Welcome to our Kia Telluride review from Dutch Miller Kia of Charlotte. We'll walk you through key categories, including trim levels, performance, technology, comfort, and safety. After that, you can explore Reddit and Google reviews at the bottom of this page to see what other drivers like you have to say about this three-row SUV. Let's begin!

Kia Telluride Performance & Powertrain

We'll kick off this review with 2025 Kia Telluride specs. This three-row SUV is motivated by a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that churns out 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque and pairs with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, but all-wheel drive is available for even more confident handling. You'll have four standard drive modes: Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart – opting for AWD adds Snow mode.

The Kia Telluride towing capacity is nothing to scoff at, either. This capable sport-ute can pull up to 5,500 pounds¹ – that's enough strength to bring along a small camper, fishing boat, pair of ATVs or dirt bikes, or other outdoor toys on your adventures.

You'll also have respectable fuel efficiency for a model this size. FWD configurations earn up to an EPA-estimated 20/26/22 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).² AWD iterations get slightly lower ratings in exchange for their increased traction: up to an EPA-estimated 18/23/20 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).²

Kia Telluride Trim Levels

You can take command of the previously mentioned specs in one of the following 10 Kia Telluride trim levels for 2025:

LX
S
EX
SX
EX X-Line
EX X-Pro
SX X-Line
SX Prestige
SX Prestige X-Line
SX Prestige X-Pro

This lineup is well-equipped – beginning with the entry-level LX model, you'll have 17 standard driver-assistance features, a 12.3-inch display with built-in navigation, LED projector headlights, and SynTex seats, to name just a few appointments. Before you browse our new vehicles to find your preferred model, let us tell you a bit more about what you can expect.

Kia Telluride Technology & Infotainment

Inside, you can complement your standard touchscreen with an equally sized available 12.3-inch instrument display. This high-tech SUV also features an available 10-inch Head-Up Display that reflects key driving information on the windshield and 64-color interior mood lighting to set the vibe.

The available 10-speaker Harman Kardon® premium audio system provides concert-like quality, and available wireless device charging adds a layer of convenience while on the go. Other tech amenities on offer include the following:

Pre-cooling and heating through the Kia app
Remote start
Wi-Fi hotspot
Driver Talk microphone and speakers for talking to rear passengers
Quiet Mode that disables the sound system in the second and third row

2025 Kia Telluride Interior Comfort & Cargo Space

The new Telluride is ideal for growing families, providing seating for seven or eight passengers. The first and second rows are perfect for adults, with 41.4 inches and 42.4 inches of legroom, respectively. Meanwhile, your little ones can make use of 31.4 inches in the third row.

With a maximum Kia Telluride cargo space of up to 87 cubic feet, transporting groceries, shopping hauls, and gear is no problem. Plus, flexible folding rear seats let you configure your seating and storage options to various needs.

Are you looking for similar space in a used model? Shop our pre-owned vehicles online to browse various makes, models, and price points.

2025 Kia Telluride Safety & Driver-Assistance Systems

With over a dozen standard safety features and more available, it's no wonder the Kia Telluride safety ratings are high. This SUV is a winner of the 2025 Top Safety Pick+³ award from the IIHS and has a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.⁴ Here's a sample of its standard and available driver-support systems:

Rearview Monitor with Dynamic Parking Guidance
Blind-Spot Collision Warning
Blind-Spot View Monitor
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
Rear Park Distance Warning
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Following Assist

Peruse our Kia manufacturer incentives to see if you can save on this spacious, safe, and reliable SUV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kia Telluride reliable?

Kia Telluride reliability is top-notch. J.D. Power gives it a "Great" score of 86/100,⁵ thanks to its dependable performance and quality engineering. If you're looking for a three-row SUV that's built to last, opting for the 2025 Kia Telluride is a wise choice. See our selection online or visit Dutch Miller Kia of Charlotte for a test drive.

What's new in the 2025 Kia Telluride?

The 2025 Kia Telluride remains largely unchanged from the 2024 model year – and we think that's a good thing. With ample standard and available creature comforts, advanced tech, modern safety systems, and bold styling, Kia engineers rightly decided not to fix something that wasn't broken. Contact our team if you're curious about any minor tweaks to the 2025 Telluride.

Does the Kia Telluride come in a hybrid?

The 2025 Kia Telluride does not have a hybrid option. This SUV achieves up to 20/26/22 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)² with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive variants earn up to 18/23/20 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).² If you're interested in a hybrid model, browse our website for a Kia Carnival Hybrid, Kia Sorento Hybrid, and other hybrid-electric options.

When did the Kia Telluride come out?

The Kia Telluride SUV debuted in 2019 for the 2020 model year and was the largest Kia vehicle to date. It hit the market with seating for up to eight passengers, a powerful 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 that it still uses today, and a spacious cabin that feels reminiscent of a luxury vehicle. The Telluride continues to build upon this legacy.

Kia Telluride Owner Opinions - Reddit Reviews

thebrieze

"The reason I chose Telly over the competition - I liked the way the car accelerated from low speeds (important when merging onto highways). Had great trunk space even with the 3rd row up. Also, 3rd row seats are actually usable, and it had the complete package of tech/safety features I was looking for - primarily Blind Spot Monitors."

Mom_Wife_Me_2322

"I'm obsessed with my SX XPro. I've had it for about a month now and it's hands down the best car I've ever had. The TON of safety features, all the creature comforts, the luxury, the build, there's no question that it's the best bang for your buck. The only other option for us was the Hyundai Palisade, but I'm just not a fan of the exterior."

mtbszn

"We were Sorento owners before switching over to the Telly. And let me say here… the Telly will one-up that Sorento in every single area imaginable. There is tons of space, fuel efficiency is nice, the sound is better, the touch points are better, and the tech is by far better than that Sorento. The ride is smooth, like… crazy smooth, and our SX trim was worth every penny we paid. We haven’t had a single issue and have taken it on tons of road trips."

Craig Kormannshaus

12/10/2024

The Telluride is an amazing vehicle—spacious, stylish, and packed with features. My wife absolutely loves it, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. If you’re in the market for a new car, I highly recommend Dutch Miller Kia. Their commitment to customer service and quality made all the difference!

¹Towing requires additional equipment. See Owner’s Manual for towing capacity, additional instructions and warnings. Always use caution while towing.

²Based on EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle’s condition. See www.fueleconomy.gov.

³Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/kia/telluride-4-door-suv/2025

⁴Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2025/KIA/TELLURIDE/SUV/FWD

⁵Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2025/kia/telluride