2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2024 Kia Telluride was offered in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The rugged X-Line treatment was available for all trims except the LX and S, while the X-Pro package was reserved for the top two trims. The X-Line package enhanced 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 some mixed reactions to last year's styling updates. The Wolf Gray paint complemented the blacked-out X-Line styling, including the grille surround and bumper details. 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 lower portions were covered in shiny plastic, which was a downside, especially in the SX Prestige trim. However, the soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, metallic accents, and thoughtful details nearly met luxury SUV standards.

The 2025 Audi Q5 embraced SUV toughness with its third-generation model. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, giving the front end an imposing look. Well-defined lines along the body sides added musculature, though the styling changes appeared more evolutionary than revolutionary. Trim levels included Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with LED Headlights Plus available on all but the base Premium model. Premium Plus and Prestige models also had programmable OLED taillights with a three-dimensional look. The Q5 was available in standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Q5 Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom.

The SQ5 performance grade remained available with both body styles, featuring increased power, sport suspension, matte chrome trim, larger front air intakes, a more prominent rear diffuser, and quad exhaust tips. It came standard with 20-inch wheels on all-season run-flat tires, while 18-inch wheels and 19-inch wheels were standard on the Q5 and Q5 Sportback, respectively. The interior design took a "more is better" approach, with a mix of silver and black trim pieces contrasting with lighter upholstery colors. Leather seating surfaces were standard, and a red interior with Alcantara trim was available on the SQ5. However, the piano-black plastic surrounding the cupholders and shifter was prone to getting dirty quickly. The SQ5 seats lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving.

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 both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. Most Tellurides could tow up to 5,000 pounds, but the X-Pro package increased this capacity to 5,500 pounds with heavy-duty engine cooling. The AWD version included a locking center differential for even power distribution at low speeds and offered driving modes like Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The Telluride had a ground clearance of 8.0 inches, which increased to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, and featured a self-leveling rear suspension.

The Telluride provided ample power for freeway acceleration and passing, though it wasn't very fuel-efficient. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving for AWD versions, but real-world testing averaged 19 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop and 17.5 mpg during city driving. A hybrid drivetrain was considered overdue for better fuel economy. The Telluride's driving experience was praised for its quickness and refinement, with standard brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control enhancing its athleticism in curves. The steering was responsive, and the brakes resisted rumble and fade. The ride felt firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, absorbing pavement undulations effectively. Off-roading capabilities were better than expected, though not on par with a Jeep.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base model had a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 had a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Q5's standard output was competitive, with slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5's performance was comparable to a Mercedes-AMG GLC43, with a manufacturer-estimated 0 to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds for the SQ5 and 5.8 seconds for the standard Q5.

However, the Q5 and SQ5 didn't feel as quick as their specs suggested. The dual-clutch transmission struggled with quick shifts off the line, and turbo lag was noticeable with both engines. Midrange acceleration was punchier, but the transmission occasionally exhibited rough shifts. The standard steel-spring suspension with passive frequency selective damping provided capable handling, while the available air suspension with adaptive damping offered a balance between damping and body control. The Q5 and SQ5 handled bumps well but didn't encourage aggressive cornering. Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes were available, but the Q5 was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable interior, especially in higher trim levels. 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 standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use. However, metallic finish buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel were hard to read in bright sunlight.

The Telluride included thoughtful details like a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with scenic landscape views that changed with the time of day. Storage space was generous, with a covered cubby forward of the shifter and a tray for smartphones. A hands-free power liftgate with automatic closing was available, though it could be undesirable in certain situations. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the seat folded down and a maximum of 87 cubic feet. Roof rails on the X-Line and X-Pro trims provided additional cargo-carrying options.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model. Headroom and legroom were nearly identical, providing adequate space compared to rivals. A sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was standard, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The 2025 Q5 offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first row, providing more space than a Lexus NX or Mercedes-Benz GLC but less than an Acura RDX or BMW X3.

Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof available on Premium Plus models. Prestige models added heated rear seats and ventilated front seats. Interior storage space was unremarkable for a vehicle of this size. The Q5 offered up to 4,400 pounds of towing capacity, surpassing the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic and Lexus NX.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection, as wireless functionality was not available. An active Kia Connect subscription was needed for conversational voice recognition. The test vehicle's Kia Connect subscription was inactive, but previous experiences with the system were positive. Kia Connect offered four plans, with the Ultimate plan providing the most features for $199 annually.

The Telluride included satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Thoughtful features included a blue-light filter for the infotainment display, Quiet Mode for playing music only through the front speakers, and a function that delivered the driver’s voice to rear-seat occupants. A digital key function allowed a smartphone or card key to unlock and start the SUV. A camera-based rearview mirror and a 10-inch head-up display were available, along with a 360-degree camera system. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system notified drivers when traffic ahead was moving.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. Premium Plus models added four USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was easy to use, with a curved display positioned for driver visibility.

A built-in voice assistant handled some vehicle functions, while an available head-up display showed speed, driver-assistance warnings, navigation directions, and phone calls. The Q5 also featured Audi’s Dynamic Interaction Light, a light bar providing additional cues to the driver. Other tech features included digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard 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, offering a semi-autonomous driving system with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. Safety feature upgrades varied by trim level and 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 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous-generation Q5's five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.