2025 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro Review & Test Drive

The Kia Telluride remains in good standing among the growing segment of crossovers, and in its midsized three-row category, it continues to win over the hearts of growing families in America.

For the 2025 model year, the Telluride continues on the same trajectory as a force to reckon with for three-row midsized crossovers. With that, the well-to-do formula of offering up a plethora of features and even an off-roading trim in my Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro trimmed test vehicle offers up something for just about everyone.

Still powered by the 3.8-liter V6 engine, the Telluride’s 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque are predictable even though it doesn’t have the added grunt that you may find in some competitors and those that offer a hybrid option. Mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Telluride proves to be consistent in its performance, yet some may find it could use a bit more power. Still, you can easily get away with being well satisfied out on the road and even in the case of towing up to its 5,000-pound max.

The ride quality and driving character all remain decent, adding to the well-satisfied gamut of consumers that own the Telluride and enjoy its respective economics of burning regular unleaded fuel without issue. You’ll also expect to match the EPA fuel economy estimates of 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined in the real world. The 18.8-gallon fuel tank ensures that you have a decent cruising range, which comes to about 488 miles if you hit the highway EPA target. However, in the Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro, due to its slightly lifted suspension and all-terrain tires, fuel economy takes a hit, where you get the EPA estimates of 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. That greatly cuts into your highway cruising range down to about 432 miles.

Having the off-roading bits doesn’t do much to diminish the ride quality on the road. Though it is comforting to know that those who may take their Telluride off-road on those rare occasions have a little extra confidence with the all-terrain tires, lifted suspension, and, of course, make use of the center-locking differential for its active on-demand all-wheel-drive system.

Inside, the Kia Telluride continues its premium appeasement with a good amount of soft-touch surfaces as well as the proper trim accents throughout. The seats, heated and ventilated front and second row captain’s chairs, all feel comfy for long trips and have a good amount of easily accessed space. The third row continues to be adult-friendly in most situations, provided that the second row is adjusted accordingly for ample leg room for the three third-row occupants.

Cargo room bests competitors, and you have the benefit of a self-leveling rear suspension for those times when you may load up the 21 cubic feet of space behind the third row or open it up by folding the row flat for additional space.

Kia does well to serve up just what families want in a crossover that doesn’t compromise on much. The only drawback for me, apart from me wanting a bit more power from the engine, is the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – but I suppose the USB-connected integration will do, but it works against the grain of having the convenient smartphone wireless charging pad.

Kia keeps with tradition for having a vast safety net of active safety features, including all of the expected items such as blind spot monitors/warning, lane departure warning/lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning/emergency braking, rear cross-path detection/emergency braking, a trick digital rearview mirror, and the brand’s welcomed blind-spot view monitor that displays a live camera feed of what is in your blind spot upon signaling.

Kia keeps things competitive with the pricing as the Telluride starts at $36,390 for the base LX trim, which still gets the same powertrain, towing capability, and 8-passenger seating. Climbing all the way to the very top of the trim line with my Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro test vehicle you’ll pay quite a bit more for a much longer list of standard features coming to $54,825 and the as-tested price of $56,240 that includes a $1,450 inland fright and handling charge along with the attractive and optional midnight lake blue paint, terracotta interior color package, carpet floor mats, and cargo mat.

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