When you’re shopping for a three-row SUV that balances interior comfort with Colorado-style capabilities, the 2025 Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride are top contenders. Which of these family-friendly midsize SUVs is on your level? Our comparison guide helps you make the right choice.
Key Takeaways
- The Explorer’s cushy cabin keeps you comfy for hours on end.
- With all-new infotainment gear and exclusive safety features, Ford’s SUV takes the lead when it comes to technology.
- Choose the Explorer for mountain-friendly performance, including sharper handling and enhanced towing stability.
- Looking for the best deal? The Telluride starts at the lowest price!
Are you asking yourself, “How do I know if I should buy an Explorer or Telluride?” Since your family will be spending a lot of time in your three-row SUV, interior comfort is a great place to start. And with its all-new interior, the 2025 Explorer treats you and your loved ones to the best road trip. Inside this new model, you’ll find more soft-touch surfaces and updated color schemes. And, as always, the Explorer’s three rows of seating are plushly padded for hours of on-road support.
Even though it hasn’t had a major update since its 2020 debut, the Telluride is a cozy competitor. Like the Explorer, Kia’s family-friendly SUV delivers three rows of handsomely padded seating. You’ll love the Telluride’s surprisingly quiet ride, which quashes wind and road noise in favor of conversation. The Telluride just needs a few updates to make it feel as modern and refined as the Explorer!
Premium Technology: 2025 Ford Explorer
This category was almost too close to call, but the newly updated Explorer ekes ahead. While both SUVs come standard with an incredible list of tech features, the Explorer treats you to a few items you won’t find on Telluride.
For instance, the Explorer not only delivers the longest list of standard safety aids, but it also includes exclusive systems: evasive steering assistance and intersection collision mitigation. And the all-new Ford Digital Experience takes infotainment to the next level, featuring a 13.2-inch touchscreen interface, Google-based navigation and voice commands, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
By comparison, even the Telluride’s impressive tech lineup seems a little dated. While the standard infotainment system includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, its lack of Google-based software makes it feel a little slow. And while the Telluride includes many of the Explorer’s safety aids (like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning), its standard list is notably shorter.
Adventure-Ready Performance: 2025 Ford Explorer
If you’re shopping the three-row SUV segment for athleticism, make the Explorer your first choice! It’s the best-in-class pick for an engaging performance, with sharper steering and sportier handling than the rest. A unique rear-wheel-drive platform is a big part of what gives the Explorer its fun-loving ride. This setup also enhances towing stability! Better yet, the Explorer’s high-performance ST trim model delivers an over-the-top performance with its exclusive, 400-horsepower turbo V6!
2025 Ford Explorer Powertrain Options
- 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (300 hp, 311 lb-ft)
- Optional 3.0L turbo V6 (400 hp, 415 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
While the Telluride isn’t quite as much fun, we can’t fault its powerful acceleration and smooth, confident ride. This Kia SUV isn’t as fast as the Explorer ST (which goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds), but it keeps up with traffic and then some (going from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 7.5 seconds). Compared to Ford’s three-row SUV, however, the Telluride is more stable than sporty.
2025 Kia Telluride Powertrain Options
- 3.8L V6 (291 hp, 262 lb-ft)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
Best MSRP: 2025 Kia Telluride
In true Kia fashion, the 2025 Telluride (starting at $36,390*) comes at the lowest price. However, the new Explorer (from $39,785*) isn’t much more expensive. And while the final cost of your SUV will depend on many factors — like trim model, equipment, and local fees — the entry-level Telluride can potentially save you some money on your new, family-friendly SUV.
*Price as of 5/14/25.
With its unique blend of sporty capabilities and modern comfort, the 2025 Ford Explorer is the perfect SUV for your family’s Colorado adventures. Whether you’re shopping for modern technology or high-powered cruising, the Explorer is the segment leader. Of course, the best way to choose your new SUV is to drive it — so make sure you visit us at Brighton Ford to experience the newly updated Explorer in person!