2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged and customizable design, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance between the stubby 90 and the visually heavy 130. Despite its unconventional appearance, the Defender exuded an appealing toughness, offering a wide range of customization options. The base price varied significantly, starting at $58,525 for the 90 model and reaching $120,525 for the 130 V8, with the exclusive Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack and a host of off-roading technologies, bringing the MSRP to $106,092. The Gondwana Stone paint, paired with orange brake calipers and 20-inch wheels, was less visually appealing, suggesting that colors like Pangea Green or Santorini Black might be better choices. Inside, the Defender X boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, maintaining an industrial yet quality-focused interior theme.

The 2025 Kia Telluride, on the other hand, offered a more straightforward lineup with five core trim levels, ranging from $36,390 to $51,390, excluding the destination charge. The X-Line package added AWD and off-road enhancements, while the X-Pro trim further increased towing capacity and off-road capability. Our test vehicle, the SX Prestige X-Pro, featured Midnight Lake Blue paint and Terracotta Nappa leather, raising the MSRP to $56,240. The Telluride's design was attractive and distinctive, though the blacked-out X-Line and X-Pro treatments diminished some of its personality. Inside, the Telluride impressed with a luxurious black-over-Terracotta interior, featuring simulated wood trim, metallic accents, and chevron-pattern Nappa leather. The dual-screen display added a modern touch, though some markings were hard to discern in daylight.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, one of four options, provided robust acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, with an adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its prowess, the Defender's 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires limited its on-road agility, and its 5,685-pound curb weight was noticeable on twisty roads. The Defender's fuel economy was lower than expected, with an observed 16.2 mpg compared to the 19 mpg on the window sticker.

In contrast, the 2025 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride offered FWD as standard, with AWD available on higher trims. Driving modes included Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart, with the latter adjusting to driver behavior. The Telluride's V6 provided smooth and ample power, achieving 20.2 mpg over a 1,200-mile trip, aligning with its EPA rating. The X-Pro package's all-terrain tires excelled off-road but sacrificed some on-pavement grip. The Telluride's 8.4-inch ground clearance and AWD system made it capable off-road, though the brake pedal behavior in traffic was occasionally problematic.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered spacious seating across three rows, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats providing heating and ventilation. The Defender's tall seating position and panoramic sunroof contributed to an open and airy feel, though the square side mirrors required careful positioning. The second-row captain's chairs added comfort, while the third-row seat was roomy and supportive. However, the side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, and the cargo space behind the third row was limited to 15.3 cubic feet, expanding to 89 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro impressed with thoughtful interior features, including heated and ventilated second-row seats and a lumbar massage function for the driver. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and storage solutions, while the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, with a hidden compartment under the load floor. Folding the third-row seats expanded the cargo space to 46 cubic feet, and with the second-row seats flattened, the maximum volume reached 87 cubic feet.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services. Previously criticized for its slow response, Pivi Pro performed well during testing, with accurate voice command recognition and an intuitive user experience. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and ease of parking. The optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige offered a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 10-inch head-up display. The Telluride's technology included a Blind Spot View Monitor and a blue light filter for the touchscreen. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the voice recognition system was basic. Despite these limitations, the Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality, and the SiriusXM satellite radio provided entertainment in areas with limited cell service.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a suite of driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The technology operated smoothly, though the lane-keep assist occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Defender at the time of testing.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured the Drive Wise suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system offered semi-autonomous highway driving, though the lane-centering assist was problematic on curvy roads. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.