2025 Kia Telluride: A Luxurious SUV with Minor Updates
The Kia Telluride, a popular choice in the mid-size SUV segment, enters 2025 with subtle refinements rather than a complete overhaul. Building on its successful formula, the Telluride continues to offer a compelling blend of luxury, practicality, and value. With its spacious and comfortable interior, impressive list of standard features, and capable V6 engine, the Telluride remains a strong contender for families and individuals seeking a refined and versatile SUV.
While the 2025 Telluride retains its familiar design, Kia has introduced a new X-Line trim level for those seeking a more rugged appearance. The X-Line package adds distinctive exterior styling cues, such as a unique grille design, black roof rails, and exclusive 20-inch wheels. In addition to the X-Line, the Telluride continues to be offered in LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims.
Refined Design
The 2025 Telluride maintains the same sophisticated and modern design that has contributed to its popularity. The exterior is characterized by clean lines, a bold front grille, and distinctive LED lighting. The Telluride’s proportions are well-balanced, giving it a commanding presence on the road. Kia has subtly updated the front and rear fascias for a refreshed look, and new wheel designs are available across the trim levels.
The X-Line trim adds a more rugged and adventurous aesthetic to the Telluride. The unique grille design, with its dark chrome finish, gives the Telluride a bolder look. The black roof rails and body-colored door handles further enhance the X-Line’s rugged appeal.
Luxurious and Spacious Interior
The Telluride’s interior continues to impress with its spaciousness, comfort, and upscale amenities. The cabin is thoughtfully designed with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail. Soft-touch surfaces, premium upholstery options, and available wood trim create a refined atmosphere. The Telluride offers seating for up to eight passengers, with ample legroom and headroom in all three rows. The second-row captain’s chairs are particularly comfortable, offering a luxurious experience for passengers.
The Telluride’s cargo space is also generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. This makes the Telluride a practical choice for families and individuals who need to transport cargo regularly.
Technology and Features
The 2025 Telluride is well-equipped with technology and convenience features. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard across all trims, offering crisp graphics and intuitive menus. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are also standard, allowing for seamless smartphone connectivity. Higher trim levels offer a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display.
Kia has also enhanced the Telluride’s suite of driver-assistance features for 2025. Standard features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Higher trims add features like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, highway driving assist, and a surround-view camera system.
Powerful V6 Engine
The 2025 Telluride continues to be powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides ample power for all driving situations, whether it’s merging onto the highway, climbing hills, or towing a trailer. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth and responsive shifts. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on all trims.
The Telluride’s fuel economy is respectable for its size and class. The EPA estimates that the front-wheel-drive model achieves 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive model gets slightly lower fuel economy, with an estimated 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
Pricing and Competitors
The 2025 Kia Telluride has a starting price of around $35,000 for the base LX trim. The top-of-the-line SX Prestige trim with all-wheel drive can reach upwards of $50,000. The Telluride faces stiff competition in the mid-size SUV segment, with key rivals including the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, and Hyundai Palisade.
Carstoday25.com’s Verdict
The 2025 Kia Telluride remains a compelling choice in the mid-size SUV segment. Its combination of luxury, practicality, and value is hard to beat. With its refined design, spacious and comfortable interior, and long list of standard features, the Telluride is an excellent option for families and individuals seeking a versatile and capable SUV. The new X-Line trim adds a rugged and adventurous option for those who desire a more distinctive appearance. While the Telluride faces strong competition, it continues to stand out as a top contender in its class.
