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2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride edges it, 90.5 to 85.4, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.

F

2025 Ford Explorer

The 2025 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 …

vs
C

2025 Kia Telluride

The 2025 Kia Telluride is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Telluride FWD, is EPA-rated at 22…

Verdict · default weights

2025 Kia Telluride

Slight edge

The Kia Telluride edges it, 90.5 to 85.4, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.

Safety2025 Kia Telluride leads by 15.4
Fuel & range2025 Ford Explorer leads by 8.6
Category · weight2025 Ford Exploreroverall 85.42025 Kia Tellurideoverall 90.5
Pricew 4no datano data
Fuel & rangew 310091.4
Safetyw 474.589.9
Space & cargow 2no datano data
Performancew 2no datano data
Tech & comfortw 3no datano data
Warrantyw 2no datano data
Overall85.490.5

Ford Explorer: model-level data · Kia Telluride: model-level data. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.

Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
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Specifications side by side

Trim-level specs appear here once the manufacturer's press kit is on file for both vehicles. EPA and NHTSA data are compared above.
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Safety record

NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAP

Ford Explorer

Safety Signal35 F
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls22 · 1 critical
Owner complaints97 · 7 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutElectrical System (21), Unspecified (17), Service Brakes (16)

Top recalls

  • criticalFuel System, Gasoline24V634000 · 24 vehicles
  • highSeats26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles
  • highEngine And Engine Cooling26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
  • highSeat Belts26V159000 · 561 vehicles
  • highEngine And Engine Cooling26V122000 · 47,804 vehicles
  • highVisibility25V730000 · 56,841 vehicles

Kia Telluride

Safety Signal76 C
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls3
Owner complaints106 · 3 crashes · 2 fires
Most complained aboutEngine (37), Unspecified (21), Electrical System (20)

Top recalls

  • highSeats26V105000 · 85,515 vehicles
  • highTires25V745000 · 45 vehicles
  • highStructure25V494000 · 201,149 vehicles

Ownership

EPA, manufacturer warranty
Ford ExplorerKia Telluride
Price
Price range across trims
PowertrainsGASGAS
EPA configuration comparedExplorer RWDTelluride FWD
Combined mpg / MPGe2422
EPA annual fuel cost$2,600$2,850
EV range
Basic warranty
Powertrain warranty
Roadside assistance

Common questions

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Which is better, the 2025 Ford Explorer or the 2025 Kia Telluride?

The Kia Telluride edges it, 90.5 to 85.4, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Kia Telluride scores 90.5 and the 2025 Ford Explorer 85.4. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.

Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Ford Explorer or the 2025 Kia Telluride?

2025 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 22 recalls. 2025 Kia Telluride: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 3 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.