Kia Telluride vs. the Competition: See How This SUV Stacks Up Against Rivals

If you’re looking for a three-row family SUV in Eugene, the Kia Telluride is a standout choice for good reason. You’ll get a spacious third row, premium features at affordable prices, and day-to-day reliability that makes life easier. We’ll break down how this SUV compares with its rivals in style, comfort, gadgets, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision about your next vehicle purchase.

What Makes the Kia Telluride Stand Out Among Other SUVs?

a car driving on a dirt road by Hyundai Motor Group is licensed with Unsplash License

The Kia Telluride’s wide stance and bold grille turn heads, with its LED lights and up to 20-inch alloy wheels creating a premium look without the luxury price tag. Inside, you’ll find soft surfaces, dual sunroofs, and USB ports for everyone. With eight-passenger seating and flexible arrangements, your family can easily fit without cramped knees. Standard technology includes a 12.3-inch screen, wireless phone connection, and six- to 10-speaker sound systems. Plus, safety features such as blind-spot collision warning, smart cruise control, and lane-keeping with Highway Driving Assist come standard.

A 3.8-liter V-6 cranking out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque powers this SUV, while an eight-speed automatic transmission provides smooth gear shifts. This engine achieves fuel economy ratings of around 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for front-wheel-drive models. If you like to haul boats and camping gear while traveling around Oregon, X-Pro configurations can tow up to 5,500 pounds.

Comparing the Kia Telluride to Its Competitors

Comfortably seating up to eight people, while offering fair pricing, cutting-edge safety technology, and decent acceleration and towing capacity, three-row SUVs are perfect for families. Though serving similar needs, each brings distinct qualities for different buyers. We’ll compare major rivals against the Telluride in design, space, performance, features, and value to help you find your perfect match.

Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai PALISADE

While the PALISADE comes with the same 3.8-liter V-6 and eight-speed transmission as the Kia, the Telluride features a tougher, muscular vibe compared to the PALISADE’s more elegant one. Cargo space favors the Telluride with 21 vs. 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 vs. 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 vs. 86.4 cubic feet total. The Telluride also offers up to 5,500 pounds of towing capacity, beating the PALISADE’s 5,000 pounds across all models. Starting at an MSRP $36,390 compared to $37,200 for the PALISADE, the Telluride has a slight edge in pricing.

Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot

Honda’s Pilot offers legendary reliability but takes a more straightforward approach to design and features than the Telluride. Its smaller 7- to 9-inch screen and technology work fine, but can’t match the Telluride’s user-friendly 12.3-inch setup and standard features.

While the Pilot’s 3.5-liter V-6, which outputs 285 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, and 10-speed automatic transmission are slightly more powerful on paper, you likely won’t feel much of a difference while driving.

When comparing similar trims, the Pilot Elite costs $53,080 while the Telluride SX Prestige X-Line runs $52,785. For similar pricing, Honda’s proven durability brings confidence, but Kia delivers better styling, materials, and technology.

Kia Telluride vs. Toyota Grand Highlander

Released in 2024, Toyota’s Grand Highlander starts at $40,860. Base models are equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder delivering 265 horsepower, while hybrid variants produce up to 362 total horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max hits 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, more than a second faster than the Telluride’s 6.8 seconds. At 4.5 inches longer and 0.8 inches taller, the Toyota also offers more cargo space than the Telluride, with 97.5 cubic feet behind the front seats, 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up.

These models differ completely in style. The Telluride goes bold and rugged while the Grand Highlander plays it safe with more subdued looks. Pricewise, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum costs $58,775 vs. $53,685 for the Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro, making the Toyota more expensive for a similarly equipped model. The Telluride also offers excellent reliability with a J.D. Power rating of 86, or Great.

Kia Telluride vs. Mazda CX-90

Mazda’s CX-90 swaps the Telluride’s brawny look for flowing lines. Starting at $38,045, it offers three engine options. These include a 3.3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder with either 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque or 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, plus a plug-in hybrid offering 323 horsepower. This variety contrasts with the Telluride’s single V-6 option. Fuel economy favors the CX-90, with 24 mpg city/28 mpg highway for its standard engine vs. the Telluride’s 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway.

The CX-90’s tight handling feels more like a luxury car than a big SUV, while the Telluride prioritizes comfort. Inside, the CX-90 offers front passengers more legroom, but the Telluride provides roomier second and third rows. With just 75.2 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, the CX-90 loses to the Telluride’s 87 cubic feet. Prices range from $38,045 to $57,950 for the CX-90 vs. $36,390 to $53,685 for the Telluride, making the Kia more affordable.

Why the Kia Telluride Remains the Top Choice

After comparing the competition, Telluride stands as the most complete package. While rivals have strengths, such as the Grand Highlander’s cargo room, CX-90’s sporty feel, or Pilot’s reliability, the Telluride delivers across all categories that matter. It just won the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. ALG Residual Value Award for the fourth consecutive year in the three-row midsize SUV category.

Safety adds another win with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick status and a 9.4/10 safety score from U.S. News. The Telluride delivers luxury-like features at an affordable price, so you don’t have to break the budget for quality. Its combination of striking style, spacious cabin, capable V-6, loaded standard features, and top safety creates a value proposition competitors can’t match.

Discover the Telluride Advantage at Kiefer Kia

The Kia Telluride blends style, comfort, tech, and value better than any rival three-row SUV. Its advanced safety systems and smooth V-6 build are perfect for daily commutes and weekend trips across Oregon’s varied terrain.

To truly understand why it beats competitors, stop by Kiefer Kia in Eugene to test-drive one of our new Kias. Our team can help find your ideal Telluride and assist with financing options. Schedule a test-drive today and see firsthand how it meets the needs of busy families seeking maximum value for their money.