The 2025 Kia Telluride is quite simply an outstanding 3-row midsize SUV. It has an upscale interior, a smooth V6 engine, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and excellent passenger space and cargo volume. Is it any wonder this versatile SUV has been a repeat Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner every year since the model debuted back in 2020?
But wait a minute. Chevrolet completely redesigned the Traverse for the 2024 model year. It sports more features and a turbocharged powertrain to take the fight to Kia. The Traverse has a more chiseled exterior and can be had with features like the Super Cruise hands-free driving system, a surround-view parking camera, and the all-terrain-themed Z71 trim. Is this enough to topple the Telluride from its lofty perch?
Let’s explore the highlights of the Kia Telluride and this third-gen version of the Chevrolet Traverse to find out.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride gets nearly no updates for 2025 but remains relatively fresh from a round of updates for 2023 that added a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, subtle exterior tweaks, as well as the adventurous X-Line and X-Pro models to the lineup.
Pricing starts at $37,585 (including destination charge), and the Telluride is available in an incredible ten trims. The majority can be had in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD configuration. Under the hood of every model sits a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Kia Telluride Highlights
Smooth V6: Okay, we wouldn’t mind a few more MPGs or the option of a fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain. Yet the Telluride’s V6 engine has earned our respect for its overall smoothness and power delivery. It does a fine job getting the Telluride down the road, minus any fuss or unwanted engine noise. The Telluride’s fuel economy is in line with its competitors at 22 mpg city/highway combined or 20 mpg combined with AWD, a tick better than the Traverse.
Classy cabin: Kia did a great job crafting an upscale and airy interior. The Kia Telluride has what’s known as stadium-style seating. This means each row is slightly higher than the one in front. The result is excellent outward visibility, no matter where you happen to be seated. And unlike many other 3-row midsize SUVs, the third row is usable by adults.
Go-anywhere X-Pro models: A trend among SUVs is to have at least one model with all-terrain capability that adventure-seeking car shoppers (or merely those who like to look the part) want in their chosen vehicle. With this in mind, we give you the Telluride EX X-Pro and SX Prestige X-Pro variants. They come with AWD and ride on chunky all-terrain tires.
Excellent warranty: Every conversation about the Kia Telluride usually circles back here. That’s because this Kia has an outstanding 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, along with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. You also get 24/7 roadside assistance for the duration of the basic coverage.
Read our Kia Telluride Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Telluride models for sale near you.
2025 Chevrolet Traverse
Chevrolet redesigned its Traverse midsize SUV completely for 2024. It’s still a new enough sight that the 2025 version on dealer lots now seems completely fresh. This third-generation Traverse is a far more well-rounded and competitive vehicle than the older model you might know better.
Under the hood is a new turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 328 hp and can be had in FWD or AWD format. Already known for being roomy, the cabin of the Traverse gets upgraded trim materials and a best-in-class 17.7-inch infotainment screen is standard on all models. Pricing starts at $40,995, including the destination charge.
Chevrolet Traverse Highlights
Turbo 4-cylinder: Goodbye previous V6 and hello turbocharged 4-cylinder. Every version of the Traverse is motivated by a 328-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Super Cruise: GM’s excellent Super Cruise system is available on the Traverse. It is a hand- and foot-free highway driving aid that first appeared on select Cadillac models. Super Cruise has impressed us with its smoothness and adaptability. Better still, it can be used with a trailer. The Kia Telluride doesn’t offer hands-free driving tech.
Tough Z71 model: Another first for Traverse 3.0 is the all-terrain-themed Z71 version. This adds a more rugged suspension, off-road tires, tow hooks, AWD, and underbody skid plate.
Expansive infotainment screen: Chevrolet has some pretty great infotainment systems in its vehicles, so the touchscreen found in the Traverse promises to be impressive. The massive 17.7-inch interface runs via Google-based software and sits flush with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster.
Read our Chevrolet Traverse Expert Review or see 2025 Chevrolet Traverse models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Kia Telluride and Traverse are great picks for anyone looking for space for up to eight people and a long lineup of tech and comfort features. While the Telluride has been the standard-bearer among midsize 3-row SUVs, this new Traverse gives it a serious run for its money – well, and for your SUV-buying-bucks, too.
Conclusion
We look forward to spending more time with these two midsize SUVs in back-to-back road testing. For now, the Kia Telluride remains the midsize SUV to beat; it’s attractive, relaxing to drive, roomy, and has many standard features. This provides an opportunity for the all-new Traverse to muscle its way back onto a lot of SUV shopping lists.
New 2025 Kia Telluride Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$37,805 |
$36,126 |
|||
$40,805 |
$39,123 |
|||
$43,505 |
$42,012 |
|||
$47,605 |
$45,805 |
|||
$47,900 |
$46,252 |
|||
$48,800 |
$46,442 |
|||
$51,300 |
$49,263 |
|||
$52,805 |
$50,666 |
|||
$54,200 |
$51,994 |
|||
$55,100 |
$52,945 |
New 2025 Chevrolet Traverse Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$42,095 |
$40,364 |
|||
$49,195 |
$47,256 |
|||
$55,195 |
$52,948 |
|||
$55,495 |
$53,968 |
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 Kia Telluride vehicles and New 2025 Chevrolet Traverse 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.
| 2025 Kia Telluride | 2025 Chevrolet Traverse | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.8-liter V6 | Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 315 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm | 317 lb-ft @ |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 20 city/26 highway/22 combined | 18 city/26 highway/21 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | NA |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 inches | 121.0 inches |
| Overall Length | 196.9 inches | 204.9 inches |
| Width | 78.3 inches | 79.0 inches |
| Height | 68.9 inches | 69.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.8 feet | N/A |
| Headroom, Front | 40.9 inches | 42.6 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.2 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 38.1 inches | 38.2 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 44.2 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 42.4 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 31.4 inches | 32.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.6 inches | 62.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.2 inches | 62.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 55.3 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 21/46/87 cubic feet | 22.9/56.6/97.6 cubic feet |
