Three-row SUVs may be America’s most versatile vehicles. The best of them can cruise on the highway as serenely as any sedan but offer space for nearly the whole soccer team.
Many keep their poise off-road. Even their gas mileage is often better than you might think. But Americans have a LOT of them to choose from. Two that might appear on your list are the Kia Telluride and the Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
Let’s see how they stack up before you commit your time to a test drive.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride won our Best Buy Award in the 3-row Midsize SUV class in 2020 when it was brand new. In 2021, we gave that award to the Kia Telluride. The Kia Telluride took home the prize in 2022. And in 2023 … and again in 2024. This is a well-balanced, all-around family ride. Prices start at $37,805, including the destination charge — a real value in its segment.
Kia Telluride Highlights
Lower price for no good reason: We can’t figure out why this is the cheaper SUV here. Its starting price is about 10% lower than that of the Grand Cherokee L, and there’s nothing missing from the option list. Even the base LX model gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, one-touch sliding and folding rear seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
10-year powertrain warranty: A car is a huge investment for most of us. Kia protects your finances with up to 10 years of covered repairs to major powertrain elements. Jeep offers five.
Wins on cargo space: You can pack more into a Telluride than a Grand Cherokee L. That’s true with the seats folded, but it’s even more true when someone is sitting in every row.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Telluride models for sale near you
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
You’ve probably known the Jeep Grand Cherokee name as long as you’ve been driving. It’s one of America’s 25 best-selling vehicles and has been most years since its 1992 debut. The Grand Cherokee L is the 3-row version of the icon, a near-luxury SUV with real off-road chops. Prices start at $40,8130, including destination charge.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Highlights
Are you entertained?: The brand’s Uconnect infotainment system is feature-rich and a breeze to use. Plus you get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard. You can’t drive in a luxurious off-road and not have a great sound system. The folks at Jeep give you options like Alpine and McIntosh.
Available 6,200-pound towing capacity: Combined with the available trailering package, that standard 6-cylinder lets you tow a 6,200 pounds. The Telluride tops out at 5,500. If a camper or a boat is part of your regular activities, the Grand Cherokee L will get it where it’s going more easily than nearly anything else in its class.
Off-road skills: Some people want a Jeep because of its heritage and its off-road prowess. They might not be satisfied with something else. Kia is improving its trail skills. The Telluride X-Line and X-Pro offer greater ground clearance than the standard Tellie and off-road modes for their suspensions. Those models are likely as capable as the Quadra-Trac I system on cheaper Grand Cherokee L models. But Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II 4-wheel-drive system, found on the Overland and Summit models, is one of the best offered anywhere, with an electronic limited-slip differential geared for getting you out of sticky trail situations. If you’re considering a Jeep because of its legendary off-road reputation, there aren’t many SUVs that can go where this one can.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Grand Cherokee L models for sale near you.
Similarities
These two 3-row SUVs read similarly on a spec sheet. Each has a standard V6, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and similar passenger space. Both look stylish and are available in off-road versions.
Pricing
New 2025 Kia Telluride Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (03060)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$37,805 |
$36,546 |
|||
$40,805 |
$39,576 |
|||
$43,505 |
$42,495 |
|||
$47,605 |
$46,333 |
|||
$47,900 |
$46,783 |
|||
$48,800 |
$46,984 |
|||
$51,300 |
$49,832 |
|||
$52,805 |
$51,252 |
|||
$54,200 |
$52,595 |
|||
$55,100 |
$53,557 |
New 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (03060)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$41,030 |
$39,996 |
|||
$41,530 |
$40,483 |
|||
$45,635 |
$44,484 |
|||
$46,135 |
$44,972 |
|||
$46,900 |
$45,718 |
|||
$60,990 |
$59,453 |
|||
$62,555 |
$60,665 |
|||
$67,035 |
$65,010 |
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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 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 Kia Telluride | 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.8-liter V6 | 3.6-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 293 @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined (FWD) 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined (AWD) | 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/21 mpg (RWD) 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway/21 mpg combined (4WD) |
| Also Available | AWD | 4WD |
| 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 | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 inches | 121.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 196.9 inches | 204.9 inches |
| Width | 78.3 inches | 77.5 inches |
| Height | 68.9 inches | 71.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.8 feet | 39.6 feet |
| Headroom, 1st row | 40.9 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd row | 40.2 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd row | 38.1 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Legroom, 1st row | 41.4 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd row | 42.4 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd row | 31.4 inches | 30.3 inches |
| Shoulder room, 1st row | 61.6 inches | 59.2 inches |
| Shoulder room, 2nd row | 61.2 inches | 58.0 inches |
| Shoulder room, 3rd row | 55.3 inches | 51.9 inches |
| Cargo volume | 21.0/46.0/87.0 cubic feet | 17.2/46.9/84.6 cubic feet |
Conclusion
Unsurprisingly, the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L does Jeep things. It offers outstanding off-road performance and near-luxury features. Unfortunately, it all comes at a price and doesn’t come with an impressive warranty.
The Kia Telluride keeps winning our Best Buy Award because it offers more space for less money with a longer warranty and can hang with the Grand Cherokee L in all the places most drivers are likely to take it. The Telluride can also seat up to eight passengers, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee L maxes out at seven.
If you’re looking at a Jeep because you’ll be driving it in the mountains in winter often or because you’ve always wanted a Jeep, the Jeep might be your best bet.
But the Telluride probably bests it for a lower price in other circumstances.
