Kia Telluride Competitors Worthy Of Your Consideration

Midsize SUVs try to do it all for the lowest price, and the 2025 Kia Telluride is a prime choice for those who want to squeeze three rows into a stylish SUV. Midsize family vehicles are more versatile than their compact counterparts, yet still arguably more versatile than full-size SUVs, so it’s not surprising that every brand seems to have their own Kia Telluride competitors.

It might be a little daunting to try to make sense of all the midsize SUV options out there, so we’ve compiled a top ten list of our favorite alternatives to the Telluride – each with their own style and capabilities.

This article features some alternatives to the Make Model in terms of segment and specifications; some competitors may be very different in price or vary in size – we justify why. This list is not exhaustive and considers new cars only. Specs listed are for two comparable trims from each model, where necessary. Prices are correct at the time of writing, and exclude destination, options, and fees. Manufacturers reserve the right to change prices at any time without notice.We rank these Make Model competitors by MSRP, starting with the highest and finishing with the lowest.

Kia Telluride Overview: The One To Beat AT $36,390

Before we get into the competitors, though, it’s worth taking a closer look at the Kia Telluride. This three-row midsize SUV debuted in 2019 and the current refreshed face came in 2023 and updated it with new lights, interior and other small redesigns. Its current MSRP of $36,690 is very competitive against other brands, and lands it second on this list of cars in terms of price. It caters perfectly to families, of course, and the five-star NHTSA safety rating will give owners peace of mind should the worst happen, like many of our cars similar to the Kia Telluride.

“While it’s not the cheapest vehicle in the segment, the Telluride offers tremendous value, especially when compared with the luxury segment that almost feels overpriced in a feature-by-feature comparison. There aren’t many things we’d do to improve the Telluride at this point, except perhaps add a frugal hybrid model. We think it’s as close to a perfect family SUV as there can be.”

– Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz

The 3.8L V6 is a dependable motor with 291 horsepower and a 5,500 lb towing capacity, but there are no other options currently. Even with this strong engine and lower price, the Kia still comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty and lots of other standard technology, such as cruise control and blind-spot detection, as standard.

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Starting MSRP: $41,360

We’re starting off with a strong option, but also the most expensive. Toyota makes some of the best powertrains and hybrid systems around, and the 2025 Grand Highlander can be had with three different engine choices, two of them being hybrids. You do sacrifice some space in the first and second rows in the Toyota for this more frugal powertrain, but it’s a worthy trade-off if running costs are a concern. If you’re not too fussed about driving dynamics, the front-wheel-drive CVT hybrid is a good option with its 37 combined mpg score, which is a lot better than the Kia. The starting price may be higher than most Telluride competitors, but it may save you money in the long run.

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

Starting MSRP: $40,700

In a list of Kia Telluride alternatives, you might find that many of these cars play it safe with their looks. The Traverse breaks that mold by being a stylish all-round car that has lots of options and trim packages. The base trim is a bit heavy on the plastics to keep costs down, but that has the added bonus of being easy to wipe down if kids make a mess in the back – something that might happen if you take them off-road in the capable Z71 trim. There’s also hands-free SuperCruise driving and a huge 98 cubic feet of space behind the front row (the Telluride has 87 cu-ft).

“The Traverse truly shines in bad weather conditions. A winter storm with over a foot of snow, high winds, and ice provided an excellent real-world test of its capabilities. It maintained its composure on slick roads and even in high winds, which can be quite a challenge in a large SUV, the Traverse was easy to manage. The Traverse prioritizes comfort over sportiness, making it an excellent choice for long-distance cruising. The suspension is tuned to absorb road imperfections, delivering a composed and cushioned ride.”

– Nicole Wakelin, Road Tester, CarBuzz

2025 Honda Pilot

Starting MSRP: $40,200

The Honda Pilot is very similar to the Telluride with its 3.5L V6, but it caters more towards off-road adventures, especially in the TrailSport trim. The interior here isn’t flashy or over the top – it just works – and there are handy features that help you communicate with third-row passengers through mics at the front of the car. While it’s similar to other cars like the Kia Telluride, it doesn’t shout about its dependability – it just gets on with it in the traditional and reliable Honda way.

“From our limited time driving the Pilot on the highway, Honda’s efforts have been successful in creating a more serene driving experience. Ride comfort is equally pleasant. We were particularly impressed by the latest standard Honda Sensing driver safety suite, which now features improved cameras and radar. The adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist work incredibly well, with a display in the gauge cluster than can show the curvature of the road ahead.”

– Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz

2025 Ford Explorer

Starting MSRP: $40,050

If you’re only fussed about the powertrain, the Ford Explorer ST is your best bet. The 3.0L engine has a power output of 400 hp, and with RWD, that could make for some fun antics when slippery. Even with that extra-powerful engine ticked, it still retains fuel economy that’s similar to the Telluride’s V6, which is good going for a midsize SUV. In our list Kia Telluride-comparable vehicles, this is the one to go for if you’re all about straight-line power. Be warned, though, the Ford has a maximum passenger capacity of seven, while the Kia can go up to eight.

2025 Subaru Ascent

Starting MSRP: $39,995

While the Telluride has lots of features on board, it can’t quite match the Ascent for standard capability. The 2.4L boxer engine is paired with Subaru’s famous AWD system as standard to help you off the beaten path, but the main drawback in this car is the CVT. Some will find this annoying, especially when it’s paired with such a good powertrain. You get lots of dynamic vehicle controls to help you off-road, but you’ll also like how rugged the interior is. Subaru is famous for how hard-wearing the inside of its cars are, so the Ascent will feel like new even after a road trip with all eight seats filled. The Kia Telluride competition is mainly focused on efficiency and space, while the Subaru is right there with off-road features, too.

2026 Hyundai Palisade

Starting MSRP: $39,435

If you want to know what the next Telluride will be like, take a look at the new Hyundai Palisade, which has just opened its order books and is built on a similar platform. There’s currently only a gas-powered option available, but Hyundai mentions a capable hybrid variant with a 600-mile range coming later to compliment the already tech-rich gas Palisade. You get a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity and a host of safety features. Even though it has an updated design and characteristics, it still keeps under the $40k mark, which is impressive.

“The first-generation Hyundai Palisade was among the best and most affordable three-row midsize SUV options. The second-generation Palisade will stay right in that conversation. It delivers a compelling all-around package that makes everyday family driving feel less like a chore. If you avoid looking at the kid-created carnage in the backseat, it will transition seamlessly to the rare date night.”

– Ty Duffy, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

Starting MSRP: $39,310

The Volkswagen Atlas has a tech-rich cabin that includes wireless charging, heated/ventilated seats, and faux leather surfaces as standard for under $40k. The powertrain isn’t super impressive, and it doesn’t make up for the lack of options with amazing mpg for a four cylinder, either. The 2026 update will be a much more developed product, though, with a possible plug-in hybrid option. We’d wait for that one, although current model does still look more modern than the Telluride, in our opinion.

2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Starting MSRP: $39,035

All cars like the Telluride are trying to do different things, from focusing on space or efficiency, to high power or bold designs. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L tries to do it all. The starting price may be only $39k, but the top trims easily come in at near the $70k mark, with features such as air suspension and cameras inside the vehicle to check on third-row passengers. It also has the highest towing rating of any car on the list at 6,200 lbs, thanks to its famous Pentastar 3.6L V6. This is definitely the one to read the brochure for, as there are lots of trim levels and features to tick off when buying.

2025 Mazda CX-90

Starting MSRP: $38,800

With a minimalist design and standard sporty dynamics thanks to its 4WD system, it’s a surprise that the Mazda CX-90 comes in as our second-cheapest SUV similar to the Telluride. There’s less space in this car compared to the Telluride in the second and third row, as well as the cargo bay, when all the seats are up. Still, it has a strong mild-hybrid powertrain that helps keep fuel mileage up and running costs down. We liked this SUV when we spent a week with it, but we found the infotainment system a bit confusing. There’s a PHEV version if you’re willing to spend $60k, too.

“The interior of the CX-90 is where it really throws in with the luxury car crowd. Take off the badging, and you won’t know that you’re in a Mazda. Whether it’s a day’s adventure during the summer or a week-long excursion, the ride in the CX-90 is smooth and quiet. Rough pavement is largely muted both in terms of sound and vibration. If the kids doze off, they’re not going to be jostled awake the first time you’re in a construction zone.”

– Nicole Wakelin, Road Tester, CarBuzz

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

Starting MSRP: $36,400

Our only cheaper alternative to the Telluride is the Nissan Pathfinder, which undercuts the Kia by a few hundred dollars. It has a similar powertrain to the Telluride, although it does have a higher towing capacity and a much more capable off-road tuned trim. We said in our review that the Pathfinder “offers Infiniti luxury for less” thanks to its smooth ride and feature-rich cabin. It might not be the most well-equipped car in base form, but tick a few boxes, and you’ve got a great SUV that’ll fit nicely into family life. It might be the cheapest SUV similar to the Telluride, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s the worst.

“Even riding on the largest wheels available, the Pathfinder delivers a cushy ride. Imperfect roads do little to upset the suspension and the cabin remains quiet even up to highway speeds. The V6 engine pulls hard without ever feeling like it is overstressed. Nissan’s transmission tuning is on-point with well-timed downshifts and imperceptible upshifts during normal acceleration.”

– Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz

Sources: Toyota, Kia, Jeep, Ford, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, EPA