Kia now offers two distinct versions of a 3-row midsize SUV. Both provide tons of passenger space, a roomy cargo hold, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and impressively long rosters of standard comfort and safety features.
The all-electric EV9 was all-new for 2024 and comes into 2025 almost entirely unchanged. This is one of the few electric SUVs with three rows of seating. Its short list of direct competitors includes the Rivian R1S, Mercedes-Benz EQS, and Tesla Model X. With a maximum range of 304 miles, the 2025 Kia EV9 comes standard with a DC fast charger capable of adding nearly 150 miles of range in only 15 minutes.
After receiving a recent makeover that included updated exterior styling and an upgraded infotainment system, the Kia Telluride enters 2025 with no major updates. That’s fine. Ever since it first arrived for the 2020 model year, the Kia Telluride has earned a string of KBB Best Buy Awards. With its comfort, style, utility, and value, the Kia Telluride remains in high demand.
Let’s take a look at how the 2025 Kia EV9 and the 2025 Kia Telluride compare:
2025 Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 starts at $56,225, including a mandatory $1,395 destination charge. It is presently not eligible for federal tax credits. Kia says it plans to move production of the truck to the U.S. sometime in the next year, so it may qualify before the end of its production run.
As the entry-level offering, the Kia EV9 Light is a rear-wheel-drive model with a 76.1-kWh battery and a single electric motor producing 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Range is estimated at 230 miles. With an optional 99.8-kWh battery, the range of this EV9 is boosted to 304 miles. At its upper end, the EV9 GT-Line – with dual electric motors and AWD — delivers 379 horsepower and a competitive range of 270 miles.
Kia EV9 Highlights
Value and warranty: Any vehicle with a starting price north of $50,000 isn’t what we’d call cheap, but the EV9 costs thousands less than competing electric SUVs with three rows of seating. It also comes with excellent warranty coverage that adds peace of mind. Kia’s standard new-vehicle warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles, while the powertrain warranty—including the battery pack—is 10 years/100,000 miles.
Standard features: Positioned as a more upscale alternative to its own Telluride SUV, the Kia EV9 is fitted with a wide array of comfort, tech, and safety features. Every EV9 has a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel mounted flush alongside a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Smartphone connectivity, wireless device charging, six USB ports, tri-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate are all standard.
Performance and towing capacity: Equipped with the more powerful 379-horsepower dual-motor powertrain, the EV9 can hit 60 mph in roughly five seconds. That’s quick for a midsize SUV that can tote up to seven people. The all-wheel-drive EV9 also has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds – only 500 pounds less than the best Telluride.
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2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride stands out as a terrific choice among 3-row SUVs. It has plenty of room for adults in all three rows and a powerful 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Similar to its electric-powered sibling, the Telluride packs a lot of standard features and has great warranty coverage. Prices start at $37,585 for the front-wheel-drive Telluride LX, including a mandatory $1,395 destination fee.
Kia Telluride Highlights
Interior space: Adults won’t feel like they’re being penalized if forced to spend time in the third row. Headroom and legroom back there are much better than in many other 3-row midsize SUVs. Accessing the third row is easier when you order the second-row dual captain’s chairs.
All-terrain models: With its mid-cycle freshening, Kia added a little off-road prowess to the Telluride lineup. The X-Line and X-Line Pro variants include features like standard AWD, a raised suspension, all-terrain tires, roof rails, a self-leveling rear suspension, and added towing capacity.
Refined driving manners: From behind the wheel, the Telluride is a capable and refined driving partner. Acceleration is strong, the suspension takes the edge off potholes and rough stretches of pavement, and the steering feels light and nicely balanced.
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Similarities
In dimensions and aesthetics, the EV9 and Telluride are remarkably evenly matched. As such, they both have spacious 3-row cabins with more than 20 cubic feet of cargo room behind their third row. Also quite similar are their user-friendly infotainment systems, plus their impressive roster of standard driver aids and their superb powertrain warranties.
Conclusion
The biggest difference between the EV9 and Telluride comes down to refueling. You plug in the former and fill up the latter. What’s more, they each have similar passenger and cargo volume, not to mention a handsome, broad-shouldered design that stands out among other midsize SUVs. That stated, the Telluride can seat up to eight, whereas the max capacity of the EV9 is limited to seven.
In the EV9, performance and range depend highly on your chosen model and powertrain. Will the base EV9’s 230 miles of range be enough to satisfy most SUV buyers?
Also worth noting: The price gap between a base EV9 and a base Telluride is approximately $20,000. That’s substantial. On the plus side, however, the EV9 is a bargain when pitched against the limited number of other electric 3-row SUVs on the market.
New 2025 Kia EV9 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$56,395 |
$54,522 |
|||
$61,395 |
$59,387 |
|||
$65,395 |
$62,981 |
|||
$71,395 |
$68,853 |
|||
$75,395 |
$72,507 |
New 2025 Kia Telluride Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$37,805 |
$36,126 |
|||
$40,805 |
$39,123 |
|||
$43,505 |
$42,012 |
|||
$47,605 |
$45,805 |
|||
$47,900 |
$46,252 |
|||
$48,800 |
$46,442 |
|||
$51,300 |
$49,263 |
|||
$52,805 |
$50,666 |
|||
$54,200 |
$51,994 |
|||
$55,100 |
$52,945 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia EV9 vehicles and New 2025 Kia Telluride vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Kia EV9 | 2025 Kia Telluride | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Single electric motor | 3.8-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 215 hp @4,440-9,000 rpm | 291 hp @6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @0-4,200 rpm | 266 lb-ft @2,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 1-speed | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 99 MPGe city/77 MPGe highway/88 MPGe combined | 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined |
| Also Available | 99.8-kWh battery, AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | TBD | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 122.0 inches | 114.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 197.2 inches | 196.9 inches |
| Width | 77.9 inches | 78.3 inches |
| Height | 68.9 inches | 68.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 40.6 feet | 38.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.2inches | 40.9 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.8 inches | 40.2 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 39.5 inches | 38.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 42.8 inches | 42.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 30.8 inches | 31.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.6 inches | 61.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 60.0 inches | 61.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 55.0 inches | 55.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 20.2 cubic feet | 21.0 cubic feet |
