DecodedCars2025 Kia Telluride
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 3.8L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 20 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 196.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,343 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 24% below the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 Kia Telluride is a small SUV offered with a 3.8L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 26 highway), 24% worse than the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2025
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2024 Telluride — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Telluride →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: West Point, Georgia
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Telluride configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 196.9 in | 78.3 in | 69.3 in | 114.2 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 4,343 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telluride FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | -24% | $3,050 | 398 |
| Telluride AWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | -22% | $3,350 | 442 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Telluride SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14.3% |
| 2025 Kia Telluride SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.5% |
Similar 2025 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Telluride (this car) | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2025 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 22 |
| 2025 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
Recalls (3)
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner · Feb 23, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V105000 · 85,515 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
- Risk
- A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC362. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 9, 2026.
Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire · Oct 30, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V745000 · 45 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Risk
- Anti-lock braking or traction control systems that do not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
Structure › Exterior Trim · Jul 28, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V494000 · 201,149 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC347.
Not every 2025 Kia Telluride is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Kia Telluride buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 48 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 21 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Visibility/Wiper — 18 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 7,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2025 Kia Telluride. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Telluride years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Telluride | 35 | – | Not rated | 3 | 44 |
| 2024 Telluride | 22 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 223 |
| 2023 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 210 |
| 2022 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 327 |
| 2021 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 373 |
| 2020 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 777 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →