As you step into the world of large SUVs, the Kia Telluride’s imposing silhouette casts a long shadow, beckoning you to scrutinize similar vehicles that promise a perfect blend of comfort, and performance. You’ll find the Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot waiting in the wings, offering a silky smooth ride and ample space for passengers and cargo. But that’s just the beginning, as more options lurk, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses, waiting to be uncovered.
Quick Navigation
Key Takeaways
- The Hyundai Palisade and Toyota Highlander are similar to the Kia Telluride in terms of size and features.
- Luxury options like the Lincoln Aviator, and Land Rover Discovery offer advanced features and off-road capability.
- Mazda CX-90 and Audi Q7 offer a mix of luxury and performance with plug-in hybrid options.
- Top-rated options include the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, with the Honda Pilot being a close contender.
- Budget-friendly options like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Investigate offer similar features at a lower price point.
Related Hyundai Models
As you examine alternatives to the Kia Telluride, consider Hyundai’s offerings, which share a similar DNA.
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stands out as a close rival, boasting a more family-friendly interior and a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission guarantees a smooth ride.
With its upscale interior, comfortable cabin, and standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the Palisade is an attractive option.
Its practicality is further boosted by the 18 feet behind the third row and up to 86.4 cubic feet of cargo space when the second and third rows are folded.
Midsize SUVs
You’ll find a varied range of alternatives to the Kia Telluride within the midsize SUV segment.
The 2025 Toyota Highlander, for instance, comes in two three-row flavors, with the Grand Highlander measuring up to the Telluride in size.
The 2025 Honda Pilot combines a spacious cabin with relatively good driving dynamics, making it a strong contender.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a frugal hybrid option, netting 36 mpg combined, along with unique Lego-like looks.
Minivan and Larger SUVs
Beyond midsize options, minivan and larger SUVs offer distinct advantages for those seeking more space and versatility.
If you need more room than the Kia Telluride, consider the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, redesigned with a blockier, bulkier design inspired by the Chevy Silverado.
Alternatively, the 2025 Atlas provides optimized three-row space in a midsize crossover package, offering more roomier third-row and cargo space compared to the Kia Telluride.
If you prioritize power, the 2025 Ford Investigate, with its standard rear-wheel-drive platform, might appeal to you, despite its tighter third-row space.
Luxury and Performance-Oriented Options
Several luxury and performance-oriented options offer a more premium experience than the Kia Telluride.
If you’re looking for a more upscale three-row SUV, consider the following:
- The 2025 Lincoln Aviator is a luxury three-row SUV with a plug-in hybrid option, offering a spacious cabin, smooth ride, and a strong twin-turbocharged V6 engine.
- The 2025 Land Rover Discovery is a luxury SUV with a focus on off-road capability, featuring a spacious cabin, comfortable ride, and a range of engine options, including a plug-in hybrid.
- The 2025 Audi Q7 is a luxury three-row SUV with a spacious cabin, comfortable ride, and a range of engine options, including a plug-in hybrid, featuring advanced technology and safety features.
- The 2025 Mazda CX-90 aims upmarket with a sleek look and greater roominess than CX-9, featuring three engine options, including a plug-in hybrid, and retaining peerless driving dynamics with sharp steering responses.
Similar Vehicles
If luxury and performance-oriented options don’t align with your priorities, you may find more suitable alternatives among similar vehicles that share similarities with the Kia Telluride. These alternatives offer a mix of interior space, engine options, and driving dynamics that might appeal to you.
| Vehicle | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Palisade | 3.8-liter V6 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission |
| Toyota Highlander | Two three-row flavors, midsize crossover and Grand Highlander |
| Honda Pilot | Spacious cabin, relatively good driving dynamics |
| 2025 Mazda CX-90 | Sleek look, greater roominess, three engine options |
| 2025 Kia Sorento | Nonhybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains |
Ratings
You’re now comparing the ratings of cars similar to the Kia Telluride.
The top-rated options in this segment are the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, both with ratings of 7.0 and 7.2, respectively.
These segment standouts offer impressive features that set them apart from other rivals.
Kia Telluride Rivals
The Kia Telluride’s top rating is challenged by a few notable rivals, all of which bring their own strengths to the table.
You’ll find alternatives like:
- The 2025 Hyundai Palisade, offering less exterior styling and a supposedly luxurious cabin.
- The 2025 Ford Explorer, quiet, refined, and current on cabin tech, exceling at towing.
- The 2025 Honda Pilot, featuring a cleverly-organized cabin, bringing good power and a lovely, spacious cabin.
These three-row SUVs compete with the Kia Telluride, each with unique advantages and disadvantages.
Top Rated Options
Ratings are where these SUVs truly distinguish themselves from one another.
You’ll find the 2025 Kia Telluride excels at most family tasks with a rating of 7.2.
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is a top choice among family-hauling SUVs, tied with the 2025 Honda Pilot, which features a cleverly-organized cabin.
Both have a rating of 7.0.
The 2025 Ford Investigate and 2025 Subaru Ascent follow, with ratings of 6.4 and 6.5, respectively.
These ratings will help you narrow down your options for the perfect family SUV.
Segment Standouts
Segment Standouts deliver impressive scores, with the 2025 Kia Telluride leading the pack at 7.2.
You’ll also find competitive ratings from other top contenders in the three-row space.
- The 2025 Hyundai Palisade earns a 7.0, making it a top choice for families.
- The 2025 Honda Pilot scores 7.0, thanks to its cleverly organized cabin.
- The 2025 Ford Venture follows closely with a 6.4, boasting a quiet and refined ride.
- The 2025 Subaru Ascent rounds out the list with a 6.5, offering versatility in its three-row design.
Vehicle Size
When examining cars similar to the Kia Telluride, you’ll find that all options fall into the large size category, offering ample space for passengers and cargo.
You won’t find any mid-size crossover choices or small SUVs in this group, as all models, including the Ford Explorer and Hyundai Palisade, are three-row SUVs.
This large size classification is a key aspect to ponder for families and individuals who need to transport multiple passengers or large amounts of cargo.
Large SUV Options
Several large SUV options boast impressive dimensions, offering ample space for passengers and cargo alike.
If you’re looking for alternatives to the Kia Telluride, consider these large SUV options:
- Chevrolet Tahoe: Offers a maximum cargo capacity of 94.7 cubic feet and seating for up to eight passengers.
- Ford Expedition: Provides a maximum cargo capacity of 104.6 cubic feet and seating for up to eight passengers.
- Hyundai Palisade vs. Telluride: The Palisade offers 86.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and seating for up to eight passengers, similar to the Telluride’s 86 cubic feet and eight-passenger seating.
- Toyota Sequoia: Offers a maximum cargo capacity of 120.1 cubic feet and seating for up to eight passengers.
Mid-Size Crossover Choices
If you’re looking for a more modestly sized SUV that still packs a punch, mid-size crossover choices offer a sweet spot between compact and full-size options.
The 2025 Kia Sorento, a midsize crossover, lacks the Telluride‘s assertive style but still fits the bill as a tougher SUV with nonhybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The 2025 Toyota Highlander, another midsize crossover, comes in two three-row flavors, with the Grand Highlander measuring up to the Telluride in size.
Other options include the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Ford Investigator, each offering unique features and strengths.
Performance
You’ll find that the 2024 Kia Telluride’s performance is matched by the Hyundai Palisade, with both vehicles boasting a 3.8-liter engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
However, other mid-size crossovers offer varying levels of performance.
- The 2024 Ford Investigator has a 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 engine that produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, offering more power than the Telluride and Palisade.
- The 2024 Honda Pilot has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, slightly less than the Telluride and Palisade.
- The 2024 Subaru Ascent has a 2.4-liter turbocharged I-4 engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, offering less power than its competitors.
Price Range
You’ll find budget-friendly options that offer similar features at a lower cost, making them attractive alternatives to the Kia Telluride.
On the other hand, high-end alternatives offer luxury features and premium materials, but come with a heftier price tag.
Budget-Friendly Options
When shopping for a family SUV on a budget, several options emerge that won’t break the bank.
You can find budget-friendly alternatives that offer similar features without the hefty price tag.
- The 2024 Traverse starts at $34,395, offering a blockier, bulkier design inspired by the Chevy Silverado.
- The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas starts at $32,395, offering roomier third row and cargo space compared to the Kia Telluride.
- The 2025 Ford Investigate starts at $32,765, with third row space is tight, but has a 2.3-liter turbo-four or twin-turbocharged V6 engine.
- The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $32,725, offered as a frugal hybrid that nets 36 mpg combined, with Lego-like looks and a playful attention to detail.
High-End Alternatives
For those who want to splurge on a premium SUV without sacrificing space, high-end alternatives offer a luxurious driving experience and advanced features. If you’re looking for a luxury three-row SUV, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 is a great option.
| Model | Starting Price | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Mazda CX-90 | $45,000 | Premium interior, responsive handling |
| 2025 Hyundai Palisade | $39,400 | Luxurious interior, range of safety features |
| 2025 Buick Enclave | $40,000 | Comfortable ride, generous cargo area |
| 2024 Toyota Highlander | $35,000 | Range of trims, good cargo space |
| 2025 Subaru Ascent | $32,000 | Standard all-wheel drive, turbocharged engine |
The Competition
You’re likely wondering how the Kia Telluride stacks up against its competitors.
The Toyota Grand Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Volkswagen Atlas are all strong contenders in the midsize SUV segment, offering unique features and advantages that set them apart.
As you investigate these options, you’ll find that each one presents a compelling case for consideration.
The Kia Telluride’s Dominance
As the Kia Telluride stands tall with its impressive 8.4 out of 10 rating, it’s clear that its rugged design and luxurious interior have set a high bar for its competitors.
You’ll notice that other SUVs are stepping up their game to compete with the Telluride’s dominance.
Some notable mentions include:
- Toyota Grand Highlander, which fixes many issues with the standard Highlander
- Honda Pilot, which retains its recipe with improvements in technology and interior features
- Volkswagen Atlas, which recently underwent a big refresh with new technology and interior improvements
These contenders have their own strengths, but the Telluride’s overall rating is due to its many strengths across multiple categories.
Conclusion
As you weigh your options, bear in mind that the perfect car is waiting – but which one will you choose? Will you opt for the Hyundai Palisade, the rugged Land Rover Discovery, or the luxurious Lincoln Aviator? Perhaps the Mazda CX-90’s sleek design will catch your eye, or the Toyota Highlander’s reliability will win you over. Whatever your heart desires, rest assured that the perfect car is out there, waiting to take you on the ride of a lifetime.
