Cars

2025 Kia Telluride Review: Interior, Problems, & Reliability

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

2025 Kia Telluride Review: Interior, Problems, & Reliability

The 2025 Kia Telluride continues its reign as one of the most sought-after three-row SUVs in the American automotive market. Known for its bold styling, family-friendly features, and competitive pricing, the Telluride delivers premium comfort without the luxury price tag. As we dive into the 2025 model year, Kia has made thoughtful refinements to an already impressive lineup. This comprehensive review covers every aspect of the 2025 Kia Telluride—from its spacious and luxurious interior to its long-term reliability and any reported problems you should know about before buying.

2025 Kia Telluride interior with premium seating and tech features

Exterior Design and Styling

The 2025 Kia Telluride maintains its rugged, SUV-inspired design language with a few subtle updates. The front fascia features a wider tiger-nose grille, updated LED lighting signatures, and more aggressive bumper contours. The overall silhouette remains boxy and upright, providing a commanding road presence and maximizing interior space.

Available in eight exterior colors—including Glacier White, Gravity Gray, and Sangria Red—the Telluride appeals to a variety of tastes. Higher trims come with 20-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and dual exhaust tips, while the X-Pro trim introduces off-road-inspired elements like skid plates and all-terrain tires.

Despite its large footprint, the Telluride remains surprisingly agile on city streets and highways. Aerodynamic tweaks in 2025 have improved fuel efficiency slightly, while maintaining the SUV’s robust, truck-like appeal. Whether parked in a suburban driveway or navigating mountain roads, the 2025 Telluride makes a statement.

Interior Comfort and Space

One of the biggest reasons the Kia Telluride has earned such acclaim is its spacious, well-appointed interior. The 2025 model continues to offer best-in-class cabin room, especially in the second and third rows. With seating for up to eight passengers (or seven with captain’s chairs), the Telluride is ideal for large families or carpooling professionals.

Front Row: Driver-Centric Cockpit

The driver’s seat in the 2025 Telluride is both supportive and luxurious. Available Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and power-adjustable settings—including lumbar support—make long drives comfortable. The steering wheel is thick-rimmed with intuitive controls for audio, cruise, and driver assistance systems.

The digital instrument cluster has been upgraded to a 12.3-inch full-color display, providing crisp readouts for speed, navigation, and vehicle diagnostics. A head-up display is optional on higher trims, projecting key information onto the windshield for safer driving.

Second Row: Premium Passenger Experience

Second-row passengers enjoy generous legroom (42.6 inches) and access to climate controls, USB-C charging ports, and reclining seats. The SX-Prestige trim includes captain’s chairs with ottomans, offering first-class comfort for middle passengers. Even with the third row upright, there’s ample space for adults to sit comfortably on longer trips.

Third Row: Surprisingly Roomy

Unlike many three-row SUVs where the third row is cramped, the Telluride’s third row can accommodate adults up to 6 feet tall for short journeys. With 31.2 inches of legroom and easy one-touch folding for the second row, accessing the back seats is a breeze. Cargo space behind the third row remains practical at 21 cubic feet—enough for groceries or a couple of suitcases.

Materials and Build Quality

Kia has made significant strides in interior materials, and the 2025 Telluride reflects that progress. Soft-touch plastics, real metal accents, and available wood trim give the cabin a premium feel. Even base models feel well-built, with minimal squeaks or rattles over rough roads.

Noise insulation has been improved for 2025, reducing road and wind noise at highway speeds. Active noise cancellation is now standard on SX and SX-Prestige trims, further enhancing cabin serenity.

Infotainment and Technology Features

The 2025 Kia Telluride comes equipped with an upgraded 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, running Kia’s latest UVO Intelligence platform. The system features:

The interface is responsive, with crisp graphics and intuitive menu layouts. Physical shortcut buttons for climate and audio remain, reducing the need to dig through touch menus while driving.

The available 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system delivers rich, balanced sound, with excellent bass response and clarity. Rear passengers can enjoy dual 11.6-inch rear entertainment screens on top trims—perfect for long road trips with kids.

Additional tech highlights include:

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Safety is a top priority in the 2025 Kia Telluride, which comes standard with Kia’s DriveWise suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Key safety features include:

The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Its rigid body structure, multiple airbags, and advanced safety tech contribute to its excellent crash protection.

For 2025, Kia has enhanced the Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system, now offering improved lane-centering accuracy and smoother adaptive cruise control transitions. The system works best on divided highways and can reduce driver fatigue on long commutes.

Performance and Driving Experience

The 2025 Kia Telluride is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and is available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

While not the quickest SUV in its class, the Telluride delivers smooth, predictable power. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes about 7.5 seconds—adequate for merging and passing. The transmission shifts seamlessly, and paddle shifters are available on higher trims for more control.

Ride quality is one of the Telluride’s strongest attributes. Independent front and rear suspension systems provide a plush, car-like ride. The SUV handles corners better than expected for its size, with minimal body roll and responsive steering.

Fuel economy remains competitive at an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined with FWD. AWD models are slightly less efficient at 19/24/21 mpg. While hybrid or electric versions are not available yet, Kia is reportedly developing a hybrid Telluride for a 2026 release.

Towing and Off-Road Capability

The Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it suitable for small campers, jet skis, or trailers. The X-Pro trim, introduced in recent years, enhances off-road readiness with:

While not a hardcore off-roader like a Jeep Grand Cherokee, the X-Pro trim can handle gravel roads, light trails, and snowy conditions with confidence.

Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2025 Kia Telluride is available in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige. There’s also the off-road-oriented X-Pro trim, available on EX and SX models.

1. LX (Starting at $37,790)

The base LX trim offers excellent value with standard features like:

While cloth seats and fewer tech features mark it as the entry-level option, the LX is still well-equipped for a base model.

2. S (Starting at $39,990)

The S trim adds convenience and style with upgrades such as:

It’s a practical step up for buyers who want more features without jumping to higher-cost trims.

3. EX (Starting at $43,990)

The EX trim is one of the most popular choices, offering a balance of comfort and tech. Highlights include:

The EX X-Pro version adds rugged styling and off-road features, appealing to adventure-seeking buyers.

4. SX (Starting at $48,490)

The SX trim brings near-luxury comfort with:

It also includes additional safety features like Highway Driving Assist and remote smart parking assist.

5. SX-Prestige (Starting at $52,990)

The top-of-the-line SX-Prestige delivers the full Telluride experience with:

This trim is ideal for buyers who want maximum luxury and technology in a family SUV.

Common Problems with the 2025 Kia Telluride

While the 2025 Kia Telluride is generally reliable, early reports and owner feedback have identified a few minor issues. It's important to note that most are isolated or cosmetic, and Kia’s strong warranty helps mitigate long-term concerns.

1. Infotainment Glitches

Some owners have reported occasional lag or freezing of the UVO infotainment system, especially when using navigation or voice commands. Kia has addressed many of these through over-the-air updates, and newer production models appear to be more stable.

2. Wind Noise at Highway Speeds

Despite improvements, a small number of drivers notice increased wind noise around the A-pillars at speeds over 70 mph. This is more common in lower trims without acoustic glass. The issue is minor and doesn’t affect overall comfort significantly.

3. Third-Row Access Mechanism

The one-touch second-row seat sliding mechanism works well but can be stiff on older models. The 2025 version has smoother operation, though some users still find it slightly cumbersome when adjusting for child seats.

4. Fuel Economy Below Class Average

While the EPA ratings are decent, real-world fuel economy often falls short