Family Ride Index™
Our composite score weighs the eight things families actually feel — not just what fits on a window sticker. Here's how the Kia Telluride scores.
The verdict
If you want one vehicle that does almost everything a family needs without asking you to compromise, buy the Telluride. The cabin is genuinely upscale, the third row is usable by adults, and the value is unmatched at this price. Skip it only if you need a hybrid powertrain or true off-road hardware.
From the first mile, the Telluride feels engineered around the realities of family life rather than the brochure. The seating position is commanding without being trucky, sightlines are excellent for parking-lot maneuvers, and the materials hold up to the kind of daily abuse a real family delivers.
"This is the rare three-row that feels just as considered in the third row as it does up front."
— Marcus Bell, The Family Ride
Duffle Bag Score™
We load identical duffle bags until the hatch won't close. It's the cargo number that actually predicts whether the gear, the stroller, and the cooler all make the trip.
Behind 3rd row
Behind 2nd row
Maximum cargo
Parent Sanity Score™
The unglamorous stuff that decides whether you love your car at 7:45am on a Tuesday.
Quiet Cabin Test™
Measured decibels — because a calm cabin is the difference between a peaceful drive and a backseat meltdown. Lower is quieter.
Road Trip Score™
Distance, comfort, fueling, storage, and seat fatigue rolled into one long-haul rating.
Pros & cons
What we love
- Upscale, quiet cabin that punches above its price
- Third row adults can actually use
- Class-leading warranty and resale
- Intuitive tech without a learning curve
What to weigh
- No hybrid option yet
- X-Pro trims get pricey
- V6 fuel economy trails hybrid rivals
Specifications
Capacity
- Seating
- 8 passengers
- Towing
- 5,500 lb
Dimensions
- Length
- 197.0 in
- Cargo behind 3rd row
- 21.0 cu-ft
- Max cargo
- 87.0 cu-ft
Powertrain
- Engine
- 3.8L V6
- Horsepower
- 291 hp
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Fuel economy
- 19 / 24 mpg
Safety
- NHTSA overall
- 5 stars
- IIHS
- Top Safety Pick+
The Family Ride Final Buy
Buy
2025 Kia Telluride
If you want one vehicle that does almost everything a family needs without asking you to compromise, buy the Telluride. The cabin is genuinely upscale, the third row is usable by adults, and the value is unmatched at this price. Skip it only if you need a hybrid powertrain or true off-road hardware.