Head-to-head
2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride wins clearly, 94.7 to 86.5, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range and performance.
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
C2025 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…
More Ford Explorer head-to-heads More Kia Telluride head-to-heads Every Explorer vs Telluride model year
Verdict · default weights
2025 Kia Telluride
Clear winThe Kia Telluride wins clearly, 94.7 to 86.5, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range and performance.
Tech & comfort 2025 Kia Telluride leads by 29.9
Safety 2025 Kia Telluride leads by 14
Fuel & range 2025 Ford Explorer leads by 8.2
| Category · weight | 2025 Ford Exploreroverall 86.5 | 2025 Kia Tellurideoverall 94.7 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 91.8 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 76.6 | 90.6 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 97.2 | 99.5 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 99.8 | 94.6 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 70.1 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 86.5 | 94.7 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Ford Explorer: base trim Active RWD · Kia Telluride: base trim LX FWD. 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.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Kia Telluride wins
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 79 against 43).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (48.5 points against 34 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 31.
Where the 2025 Ford Explorer answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (109 against 124 filed with NHTSA).
- It turns out 310 lb-ft of torque against 262.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 46 cu ft behind the second row.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
53 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $36,390 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | 2,261 cc | 3,778 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 | 3.8L V6 Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Lambda-II |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 300 hp | 291 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 20 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 22 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 26 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.58 | 3.510:1 |
| Transmission speeds | 10 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 7.6 in | 8 in |
| Overall height | 69.6 in | 68.9 in |
| Overall length | 199 in | 197 in |
| Overall width | 78.9 in | 78.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 119 in | 114 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 85.8 cu-ft | 87 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 46 cu-ft | 46 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 16.3 cu-ft | 21 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 153 cu-ft | 178 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 7 | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.7 in | 40.9 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.5 in | 40.2 in |
| Third-row headroom | 38.9 in | 38.1 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 43 in | 41.4 in |
| Second-row legroom | 39 in | 42.4 in |
| Third-row legroom | 32.2 in | 31.4 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 4,248 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,303 lbs | 4,134 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 5,776 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | independent | Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | independent | Independent, Multi-link, stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power-Assisted Steering | Column Mounted-Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 19.4 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 340 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | Vented disc |
| Parking brake type | electric | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 305 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | aluminum | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P255/65R18 | P245/60 R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.9 gal | 18.8 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | FordPass Connect | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 62.1 in | 61.6 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 61.9 in | 61.2 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 54.6 in | 55.3 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
175 features · differences first, then sharedSafety24 differ · 46 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance - Junction Turning (FCA-JT) | — | std |
| Forward Collision Avoidance - Evasive Steering Assist (FCA-ESA) | std | — |
| Highway Driving Assist (HDA 1.5) | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | — | std |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve - NSCC-C | — | std |
| Rear side (2nd row) airbags | — | std |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) | — | std |
| Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) | — | std |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage | std | — |
| Curve Control | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | std | — |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (standard ADAS suite including Intersection Assist, Post-Collision Braking, Dynamic Brake Support) | std | — |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | — | std |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | — | std |
| Perimeter Alarm | std | — |
| Post-Collision Braking | std | — |
| Rear Occupant Alert with Ultrasonic Sensors (2nd and 3rd Rows) | — | std |
| Side impact sensor | — | std |
| Side-Wind Stabilization | std | — |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | std | — |
| Torque Vectoring Corner Control (TVCC) | — | std |
| Traction Control System (TCS) | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | — | std |
| Forward Collision Avoidance with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (FCA) | std | std |
| Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with STOP & GO (S&G) | std | std |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | std | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision - Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | std |
| Dual front advanced airbags | std | std |
| Dual front seat-mounted side airbags | std | std |
| Full-length side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | std | std |
| Rear View Monitor (RVM) with Parking Guidance-Dynamic | std | std |
| Downhill Brake Control (DBC) | std | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | std | std |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) | std | std |
| Parking Distance Warning - Reverse (PDW-R) | std | std |
| Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Driver's knee airbag | std | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | std | std |
| High Beam Assist (HBA) | std | std |
| Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Rollover sensor | std | std |
| Immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) high-line | std | std |
Infotainment14 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Start System | opt | — |
| FordPass Connect™ – Remotely start, lock and unlock vehicle | std | — |
| Audio – Six (6) Speakers | std | — |
| FordPass Connect™ – Locate parked vehicle | std | — |
| Steering wheel-mounted Bluetooth Hands-free with Voice activation controls | — | std |
| 12.3-inch audio display unit with navigation, MAP OTA, Quiet Mode, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Radio, SIRIUS XM, Voice Recognition, Bluetooth (with Multi-Bluetooth function), Rear View Camera and TMU | — | std |
| 6 speakers including 2 tweeter speakers | — | std |
| 911 Assist® | std | — |
| Ford Digital Experience – 13.2" Color LCD Touchscreen in IP Center-Stack with Alexa Built-In, Google Assistant/Maps/Play, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Wireless Compatibility | std | — |
| Ford Power-Up Software Update Capability | std | — |
| SiriusXM® with 360L (3-month prepaid subscription) | std | — |
| Telematics Mobile Unit - Embedded Modem (TMU) | — | std |
| USB charging port X5 | — | std |
| USB Ports: First Row – One (1) "A" and One (1) "C" in Media Bin and Two (2) "C" in Center Floor Console; Second Row – Two (2) "C" and Third Row – Two (2) "C" | std | — |
| Wi-Fi Hotspot | std | std |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio controls | std | std |
Convenience8 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Engine Start button on Key Fob | — | std |
| Battery Saver | std | — |
| Power Liftgate | std | — |
| SecuriCode® Keyless Entry Keypad | opt | — |
| Universal Garage Door Opener (UGDO) | opt | — |
| Manual liftgate | — | std |
| Driver and Passenger's central door lock | — | std |
| Power windows with auto up/down and safety | — | std |
| Push-button start with Smart Key and burglar alarm | std | std |
| Power outlets (x3) | std | std |
Climate7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | std | — |
| Rear ducts - Ceiling Mounted with Diffuse Vents (2nd and 3rd row) | — | std |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | std | — |
| Dual zone automatic temperature control | — | std |
| Rear automatic temperature control | — | std |
| Second Row HVAC Controls | opt | — |
| Auto Window Defogger | — | std |
Seating12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd-row 60/40 split-folding bench seats | — | std |
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat | std | — |
| Heated front seats with 3 settings | std | — |
| SynTex (Synthetic Leather) seating trim | — | std |
| 1-touch slide and fold for 3rd row Ingress/Egress | — | std |
| 2nd-row one-touch slide and fold | — | std |
| 2nd-row remote folding buttons (in cargo area) | — | std |
| 8-Way Power Passenger Seat | opt | — |
| Second Row Captain's Chairs with E-Z Entry and Armrests | std | — |
| Third Row 50/50 Split-Fold-Flat (Manual) | std | — |
| Unique Cloth Seating | std | — |
| 2nd-row center armrest with cup holders | — | std |
Interior30 differ · 33 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated steering wheel | opt | — |
| 4.2-inch color TFT-LCD full segment meter cluster | — | std |
| 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen in Instrument Panel Cluster | std | — |
| 2nd row lamp | — | std |
| Cargo lamp | — | std |
| Chrome interior door handles | — | std |
| Compass | std | — |
| Front seatback hooks | — | std |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | std | — |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | — | std |
| Metal paint crashpad trim | — | std |
| Overhead console lamp | — | std |
| Plastic pillar trim | — | std |
| PVC transmission gear shift knob | — | std |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | std | — |
| Standard door scuff plates | — | std |
| Floor console with center armrest, cup holders, side handles and storage box | — | std |
| LED illuminated Sun Visors/Vanity Mirrors | std | — |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | std | — |
| Synthetic leather wrapped door armrest | — | std |
| Carpet Floor Mats | std | opt |
| Cloth headliner trim | — | std |
| Dual sunvisors, sliding with vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Front seatback pockets | — | std |
| Carpet flooring | — | std |
| Cloth sunvisor | — | std |
| Front and rear side door pockets | — | std |
| Rheostat | — | std |
| Standard door scuff plates | — | std |
| Standard Pedals | — | std |
| Day/night interior rear-view mirror | std | std |
| Overhead console with sunglass holder | std | std |
| Trip computer | std | std |
Exterior31 differ · 36 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power tilt-slide sunroof | opt | — |
| 18-inch alloy wheels with silver finish | — | std |
| Acoustic Front Windshield | — | std |
| Active Grille Shutters | std | — |
| Black front bumper side air duct garnish | — | std |
| Black insert with satin chrome surround trim (a-type design) radiator grille | — | std |
| Black wheel arch and side sill lower molding | — | std |
| Body-color outside door handles | — | std |
| Body-color with silver accent trim and non-painted lower and side plastic trim bumpers | — | std |
| Conventional wiper blades | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | std | — |
| Hidden single exhaust tip | — | std |
| LED Fog Lamps with Skid Plate Elements, Front – Silver-Painted | opt | — |
| LED positioning lights | — | std |
| LED rear combination lamps | std | — |
| LED Signature Lighting (Front Fascia) | opt | — |
| Matte black outside mirror lower trim | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Power and Heated Glass | std | — |
| Power adjustable outside mirrors, heated with integrated LED turn signals | — | std |
| Rear combination lamps (Bulb type) | — | std |
| Roof-Rack Side Rails | std | — |
| Satin chrome DLO surround molding | — | std |
| Satin chrome lower door garnish (front and rear) | — | std |
| Single muffler, Regular type | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | std | — |
| Auto light control (ALC) | — | std |
| Solar Front Door Windows and Windshield | — | std |
| LED High Mounted Stop Lamp, integrated into rear spoiler | — | std |
| Mud guards | — | opt |
| Temporary spare wheel tire | — | std |
| Low washer fluid warning system | — | std |
| LED Projector-style headlights with high and low beams | std | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | std |
| Privacy Rear Windows, 3rd row/Cargo Side Glass and Liftgate Glass | std | std |
| Rear windshield defroster | std | std |
| Body-color rear spoiler | std | std |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| All Wheel Drive (AWD) | opt | — |
| Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | — | std |
| Terrain Management System™ | std | — |
| Auto Start-Stop Technology | std | — |
| AWD Modes: AWD Lock and Snow modes | — | opt |
| Drive Mode Select (DMS): Comfort / Eco / Sport and Smart modes | — | std |
Chassis6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Column Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | — | std |
| Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | std | — |
| Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars | std | — |
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | std | — |
| McPherson struts and stabilizer bar front suspension | — | std |
| Multi-link independent and stabilizer bar rear suspension | — | std |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Towing Hitch | — | opt |
| 2-way luggage board | — | std |
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPFord Explorer
Safety Signal 43 F
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 22 · 1 critical · 2 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 109 · 8 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (23), Service Brakes (20), Unspecified (19)
Top recalls
- critical Power Train 25V164000 · 269 vehicles
- high Seats 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
- high Seat Belts 26V159000 · 561 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V122000 · 47,804 vehicles
- high Trailer Hitches 25V687000 · 1,412 vehicles
Kia Telluride
Safety Signal 79 C
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 3
Owner complaints 124 · 3 crashes · 2 fires
Most complained about Engine (50), Visibility/Wiper (22), Unspecified (22)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V105000 · 85,515 vehicles
- high Tires 25V745000 · 45 vehicles
- high Structure 25V494000 · 201,149 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Ford ExplorerActive RWD | Kia TellurideLX FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $36,390 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 8 trims | $36,390 – $53,685 13 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Explorer RWD | Telluride FWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 24 | 22 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,800 | $3,050 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Ford Explorer or the 2025 Kia Telluride?
The Kia Telluride wins clearly, 94.7 to 86.5, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range and performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Kia Telluride scores 94.7 and the 2025 Ford Explorer 86.5. 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 (2 filed with no repair available). 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.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2025 Kia Telluride?
Where the 2025 Kia Telluride wins: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 79 against 43), lists more comfort and tech equipment (48.5 points against 34 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 31. Where the 2025 Ford Explorer answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (109 against 124 filed with NHTSA) and turns out 310 lb-ft of torque against 262. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 46 cu ft behind the second row.