Witness a battle of the haves versus the could-haves. The Acura MDX is a midsize luxury SUV while the Kia Telluride is not — though it can be optioned up to be comparable. The most significant difference is the nearly $15,000 gap between their base prices.
Both are 3-row crossover SUVs with room for at least seven people. They are motivated by V6 engines with plenty of power, and both have appealing modern aesthetics. For 2025, each receive a few important upgrades, helping them remain competitive in an ever more crowded segment.
As will always be the case, there are glaring differences between the mainstream Kia Telluride and the luxury Acura MDX, starting with the price tag. The highest-priced version of the Telluride is about $2,000 above the base model of the MDX. There are additional differences between these two, which we will sort through below.
2025 Acura MDX
For 2025, the MDX gets a revised grille and front bumper, plus several cabin enhancements. There’s a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and options such as 16-way massaging front seats and two Bang & Olufsen audio upgrades. AcuraWatch 360, Acura’s semi-autonomous advanced driver-assist technology, is offered on the top-line Type S trim.
The base model is powered by a 3.5-liter V6, producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. It’s connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission and features front-wheel drive (FWD) for the base model. But if you move up two trim packages to the A-Spec, all-wheel drive (AWD) becomes standard. Jump to the Type S, and you add a 355-hp V6, rev-matching downshifts, adaptive air suspension, 4-piston Brembo front brakes, additional safety tech, and 31 total speakers around the cabin.
The comfort and convenience tech on the base level model is impressive, including Google built-in, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, as well as wireless smartphone charging, Wi-Fi, and Amazon Alexa capability. Pricing starts at $52,550.
Acura MDX Highlights
Big tech: The interior tech making the cabin a nice place on every MDX is a massive selling point, but additional standard features like a powered tailgate help separate it from the mainstream class.
AcuraLink: Free for three years, AcuraLink offers features such as maintenance scheduling, automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location, and remote lock/unlock.
Safety first: This current generation of MDX has earned the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the MDX models for sale near you.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride has been a winner since its 2020 debut alongside its upscale cousin, the Hyundai Palisade. It’s got it all: looks, performance, and safety for a price that makes it hard to ignore. The 2025 version gets even better, with new standard equipment, including second-row side airbags and the latest version of Kia’s Highway Driving Assist.
Perhaps more impressive is that you can dress this SUV up, pushing it from handsome to dashing. There are 10 different trim combinations available, from the base LX to the peak SX Prestige X-Pro. The top of the range is competitive with the MDX.
A 3.8-liter V6 tied to an 8-speed automatic puts out 291 hp, placing it near the top of the class. It offers seating for eight passengers unless you opt for second-row captain’s chairs, then it drops to seven. The LX comes with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is a $2,000 option until you move into the EX X-Line variant, where it becomes standard equipment.
Naturally, plenty of convenience tech is available, including five USB-C ports throughout the SUV and a free one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate, which offers improved navigation with real-time and predicted traffic levels. The Telluride also beats the MDX when it comes to powertrain coverage, offering a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty as standard. Pricing starts at $37,805.
Kia Telluride Highlights
Considerable power: The Kia Telluride is powered by a 291-hp 3.8-liter V6 engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. That kind of power helps when tooling around town or in tow mode.
A good investment (sort of): The Telluride has taken home the KBB Best Resale Value award for its class in 2022 and remains near the top of its class in terms of resale value.
Safety first: This is essential because vehicles usually carry children from place to place, so it’s good to know the Telluride is safe. It features the 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and the Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Telluride models for sale near you.
Similarities
They’re midsize SUVs with attractive exterior styling, top safety ratings, and robust V6 engines — a fantastic combination.
Pricing
New 2025 Acura MDX Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$52,550 |
$48,030 |
|||
$54,750 |
$50,298 |
|||
$57,950 |
$53,371 |
|||
$60,150 |
$55,837 |
|||
$63,150 |
$58,533 |
|||
$67,650 |
$62,285 |
|||
$69,650 |
$64,182 |
|||
$76,600 |
$71,230 |
New 2025 Kia Telluride Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$37,805 |
$36,118 |
|||
$40,805 |
$39,115 |
|||
$43,505 |
$42,004 |
|||
$47,605 |
$45,796 |
|||
$47,900 |
$46,242 |
|||
$48,800 |
$46,433 |
|||
$51,300 |
$49,253 |
|||
$52,805 |
$50,655 |
|||
$54,200 |
$51,983 |
|||
$55,100 |
$52,934 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Acura MDX vehicles and New 2025 Kia Telluride vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Acura MDX | 2025 Kia Telluride | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter V6 | 3.8-liter 6-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 267 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg | 20 city/26 highway/22 combined |
| Also Available | 3.0-liter turbo V6, AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 5-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 inches | 114.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 198.4 inches | 196.9 inches |
| Width | 78.7 inches | 78.3 inches |
| Height | 67.9 inches | 68.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 40.5 feet | 38.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.5 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.1 inches | 40.2 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 36.2 inches | 38.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.6 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.5 inches | 42.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 29.1 inches | 31.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.9 inches | 61.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 60.3 inches | 61.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 55.2 inches | 55.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 18.1/48.4/95.0 cubic feet | 21.0/46.0/87.0 cubic feet |
Conclusion
The bottom line is that comparing a mainstream model to a similar offering in the premium or near-luxury segment is tough. On price and warranty, the Kia Telluride wins all day, every day. The most expensive version of the Telluride is just $4,000 more than the entry-level MDX. However, if you’re looking for simply more — on every level, the Acura MDX is your choice.
