2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Kia Telluride was available in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. Buyers could enhance all but the LX and S trims with the rugged X-Line treatment, while the X-Pro package was exclusive to the top two trims. The X-Line package equipped the Telluride with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), a center locking differential, increased ground clearance to 8.4 inches, improved approach and departure angles, unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package added 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the maximum towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. Prices ranged from $35,990 for the LX to $53,185 for the SX Prestige with the X-Pro package, excluding the destination charge. The SX Prestige with the X-Line package, featuring Wolf Gray paint and floor mats, had an MSRP of $54,270, including the $1,365 destination charge.

The Telluride's design attracted buyers with its appealing forms and proportions, despite mixed reactions to last year's styling updates. The Wolf Gray paint complemented the blacked-out X-Line styling, enhancing the SUV's visual appeal. Inside, the test car featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other color options like Mahogany brown, Terracotta brown, light gray over black or dark blue, and Sage Green were available, each complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim. The interior's shiny plastic lower portions were a downside, especially in the SX Prestige, which otherwise nearly met luxury SUV standards with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, classy metallic accents, and thoughtful details.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged and customizable design, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in its appearance. Base prices ranged from $58,525 for a 90 without options to $120,525 for a 130 V8, including the $1,625 destination charge. The new Defender OCTA, available only as a 110, was priced at $153,625, including destination. The test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, arrived with a price of $102,525, featuring the Extended Black Exterior Pack, upgraded interior materials, and comprehensive off-roading technology. The test vehicle swapped the standard 22-inch wheels for 20s with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires, and additional options brought the MSRP to $106,092 with destination.

The test model, dressed in Gondwana Stone paint, lacked the new-for-2025 matte paint protection film. The murky brown color clashed with the Defender X's orange brake calipers and delicate-looking twin-spoke, machined-finish 20-inch wheels. Preferred color options included Pangea Green, Santorini Black, or Carpathian Gray, with 22-inch wheels recommended. Inside, the Defender X featured premium Windsor hides with Kvadrat fabric for the sides of the bottom cushions, available in Ebony or Caraway, or Ultrafabric upholstery in Light Cloud. The X trim also included illuminated door-sill treadplates and metal pedal covers. The interior maintained an industrial theme with quality materials, offering a purposeful look rather than a traditional luxury SUV feel.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with the latter including a locking center differential for even power distribution at low speeds. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, but the X-Pro package increased it to 5,500 pounds with heavy-duty engine cooling. The SUV featured a Snow driving mode alongside Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes, with ground clearance ranging from 8.0 inches in standard spec to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages. The Telluride's ride was firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, providing a smooth experience on winding roads. It averaged 19 mpg in combined driving, though a hybrid drivetrain was suggested for improved fuel economy. The Telluride's driving experience was quick and refined, with responsive steering and brakes, and it handled curves and corners with agility.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender test vehicle featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive with a low-range setting for off-roading. The Defender 130 X had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds and accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes, including Comfort, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Rock Crawl, enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Defender 130 provided 11.4 inches of ground clearance, with approach, breakover, and departure angles of 37.5, 27.9, and 28.8 degrees, respectively. The SUV's ride was smooth on its adaptive air suspension, but the 20-inch wheels and Pirellis limited its enthusiasm for twisty roads. The Defender 130 averaged 16.2 mpg in combined driving, below the expected 19 mpg.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable interior, especially in higher trims. The SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar massage, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and a third-row seat suitable for adults. A dual sunroof panel added light to the interior. The Telluride's controls were oriented horizontally, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and physical controls. The SUV provided generous storage space, including a covered cubby, smartphone tray, and door panel bins. A hands-free power liftgate with automatic closing was available, offering convenience and safety. The Telluride provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 required effort to enter and exit unless the air suspension was programmed to lower. It offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The Defender 130 provided excellent forward visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row added natural light. Storage space was plentiful in the front, but less accommodating for passengers' belongings in the rear. The Defender 130's third-row seat was heated, roomy, and supportive. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, with a high load floor. The Defender 130 offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 89 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The system offered a capable voice recognition system with an active Kia Connect subscription. Kia Connect plans included features like 911 Connect, remote engine starting, and over-the-air updates. The test vehicle featured satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Thoughtful features included a blue-light filter, Quiet Mode, and a digital key function. A camera-based rearview mirror and a 10-inch head-up display were available, along with a 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system's response to voice commands was slower than preferred, but accuracy was outstanding. The user experience was more intuitive, with easy programming of favorite radio stations. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system was impressive. Additional tech included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The test vehicle also had the optional Towing Pack with a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2024 Kia Telluride featured the Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear occupant protection. Highway Driving Assist was standard, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. Safety feature upgrades included front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, lane-change assist, and automatic rear braking. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with driver aids such as automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. A Driver Assistance Mode menu allowed customization of assistance levels. The lane-keep assist decisively corrected potential lane departures. Crash-test ratings for the Defender were unavailable at press time.