Families looking for a spacious SUV need more than comfort and practicality, safety is often the top priority. This three-row SUV is designed with that in mind, offering outstanding protection and a full suite of advanced driver-assist features to give peace of mind on every drive.
Inside, the cabin is roomy and versatile, with seating for up to eight and plenty of space for both passengers and cargo. High-quality materials and user-friendly tech make family trips easier, while the smooth, composed ride ensures comfort for everyone on board.
From its strong safety ratings to its thoughtful design, this SUV is built to keep families securewithout compromising on valueor convenience. For parents seeking a dependable, well-equipped three-row SUV that prioritizes safety above all else, this model is one of the best options available today.
to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA.
The Telluride Features a Powerful V-6 and Comes Packed With Safety Technology
Something that some may see as a drawback to this three-row SUV is that it’s only offered as with a purely gasoline-powered engine. However, there is plenty to love about the six cylinder under the hood. Kia’s mid-size SUV is perky, powerful, and more capable than you would think.
Safety and Driver Assist Features
Kia really delivers when it comes to safety equipment in the Telluride, helping solidify it as one of the best family SUVs on the market. As well as a plethora of collision detection and avoidance systems which operate from just about every angle, Kia offers navigation based adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go as well as self-parking functionality.
The NHTSA has tested the Telluride thoroughly and grants the crossover five stars out of five for safety. The IIHS concur with the NHTSA’s findings, giving the Telluride their Top Safety Pick+ award for 2025, putting itamong some of the safest cars on the roadright now.
291 HP
262 LB-FT
FWD or AWD
0-60 MPH
135 MPH
Max Towing Capacity
5,500 LBS
Under the hood of every 2025 Telluride you’ll find the same gasoline-powered six-cylinder engine chugging away. It pairs with a pretty smooth eight-speed automatic transmission which shuffles through gears without any harshness. Front-wheel drive is standard on most models, with every trim above the SX coming standard with all-wheel drive instead.
Kia’s three-row SUV is pretty comfortable, though the ride is slightly on the harsher side, with heavy bumps in the road penetrating their way into the cabin. However, a more complex air-suspension is available on some trims and definitely helps make things smoother. It is firm and planted, though, and its 8.4 inches of ground clearance mean that it can confidently tackle some rougher terrain without worry.
20 MPG
26 MPG
22 MPG
18 MPG
23 MPG
Kia’s three-row SUV is not small and its V-6 is pretty powerful, both of which result in some pretty heavy fuel consumption. Compared to other gas-powered options in the segment, it still manages to sit around average, though. Going for the all-wheel drive model does result in some heavier fuel use, with the EPA estimating that you’ll lose around two miles per gallon compared to the front-wheel drive model.
The 2025 Kia Telluride is a Fantastically Well-Rounded Three-Row SUV
In terms of value, it’s hard to do better than the Koreans right now. Kia in particular is crushing it in just about every segment that they compete in. In fact, if you’re shopping for a three-row mid-size SUV, then it is really hard to do much better than the Telluride. It is a genuine jack of all trades andit is exceptionally affordable.
$36,390
$39,390
$42,090
$46,190
$46,485
$47,385
$49,885
$51,390
$52,785
SX Prestige X-Pro
$53,685
The Kia Telluride goes up against some heavy hitters, competing against the Toyota Grand Highlander, the Mazda CX-90, and the Honda Pilot. Even against such stacked rivals, it feels like the best value option in its segment. While all the other three-row mid-size SUVs feel like they make trade offs here and there, it is difficult to come up with any real negative criticisms for the Kia.
There are a ridiculous number of trims to choose from in the 2025 Telluride, with some becoming mouth fulls as you reach the top of the trim ladder. To simplify things, X-Line is a rugged appearance package and X-Pro adds real off-road equipment. Everything else refers to equipment levels, starting at EX and going up to the SX Prestige.
Best Value Trim Level
While it is a lot more expensive than the base model, we feel like it is hard not to recommend the SX trim. For the price you pay, you get a package that is pretty close to what is offered in some high-end luxury models. If you’re looking for some better all-weather performance, you can also tack on all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000.
The SX comes with a plethora of standard features that make it feel much more upscale than its price tag might suggest. This starts with a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, fantastic-looking 20-inch rims, a sunroof in the front and the back, second row captain’s chairs, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.
Warranties and Maintenance
When it comes to warranties, Kia is class-leading. Not only is their bumper-to-bumper coverage longer than what you’d get from many of its rivals, but its powertrain warranty is the best in the business, matched only by its corporate sibling, Hyundai. The Telluride doesn’t come with any complimentary maintenance, which is a bummer as its mechanically similar cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, gets three years of coverage.
There is Tons of Room in All Three Rows of the 2025 Kia Telluride
When buying a mid-size three-row SUV, interior space is expected. However, a lot of the time the third-row is only usable to children, and it eats into the cargo area pretty heavily. Kia has made space a priority in the Telluride, withone of the roomiest cabins in the segment.
Cargo Capacity (Behind Third Row)
21 Cubic Feet
The Telluride can hold up to eight passengers, with optional second row captain’s chairs on higher trims reducing capacity down to seven. Those in the first two rows are spoiled, able to stretch out and relax on long journeys. While the third row isn’t quite as spacious, your passengers shouldn’t have too much to complain about unless they’re well over six foot. Even with the third row in use, there is plenty of space in the trunk.
While the exterior might be a little bold, the Telluride’s cabin is undeniably slick. Kia has taken a very contemporary approach, though there is still plenty of switchgear which helps it feel grounded and approachable. High quality materials are used throughout the cabin, with Nappa leather upholstery even being available on top trims.
Infotainment and Technology
Technology plays a massive role in the cabin of the Telluride, with Kia leaning heavily into the screen revolution. The centerpiece is a single panel that houses two 12.3-inch screens. One screen acts as the digital gauge display while the other works as the infotainment system. It can be controlled via touch inputs or voice commands and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.
There is plenty of other technology that helps make the Telluride such a good family hauler. There are USB ports scattered throughout the cabin so that everyone can charge their devices, with a wireless smartphone charging pad up front. A ten-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is available on higher trims. The coolest feature is what Kia calls Driver Talk, which uses speakers in the back to amplify the driver’s voice, so you may tell your kids in the back row to stop fighting.
