2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 BMW X3

The 2024 Kia Telluride was available in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The X-Line treatment could be added to all but the LX and S trims, while the X-Pro package was reserved for 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 further enhanced the vehicle with 18-inch matte-black wheels, 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 SX Prestige nearly met luxury SUV standards with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, metallic accents, and thoughtful details, though the shiny plastic covering the interior's lower portions was a downside.

The redesigned 2025 BMW X3 presented a seductive appearance for a two-box SUV. Its long and tall hood, captivating dashboard-to-axle ratio, subtle reflective wave in the bodywork, and tapering greenhouse and roofline gave it an athletic look. The test vehicle’s expressive 21-inch wheels emphasized its taut, crouched appearance. The Arctic Race Blue paint, with chilly silver undertones, paired perfectly with the machined surface wheel finish, gloss black M Sport details, and Calm Beige upholstery. The Veganza artificial leather, with its perforated and quilted surfaces, looked and felt like the real thing.

Inside, the X3’s cabin was simple yet functional, with plastic trim elements that glowed with the selected ambient lighting color. While BMW provided quality materials where expected, some interior areas revealed the X3’s price point, particularly the plastic used lower in the cabin. The base prices ranged from $51,125 for the X3 30 xDrive to $65,875 for the X3 M50 xDrive, including the $1,175 destination charge. The X3 was priced under its primary rivals, the 2025 Audi Q5 and AWD versions of the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The well-equipped X3 30 xDrive test vehicle’s price barely crested the $60,000 barrier, featuring extra-cost paint and wheels, ventilated front seats, and four option packages: M Sport, Premium, Parking Assistance, and Driving Assistance Professional, with an MSRP of $60,875, including destination.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, transferred through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front or all four wheels. Most Tellurides could tow 5,000 pounds, but the X-Pro package increased this 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 a Snow driving mode alongside Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. The Telluride had a standard ground clearance of 8.0 inches, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, and featured a self-leveling rear suspension.

The Telluride accelerated easily to freeway speeds and offered good passing power, 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 overdue, as the Telluride was often compared to luxury SUVs. The driving experience was quick and refined, with standard brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control and responsive steering. The ride felt firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, absorbing pavement undulations effectively. Off-road, the Telluride was more capable than expected, handling various terrains with ease.

The 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite its 4,176-pound weight, the X3 was not sluggish, achieving a zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds. The eight-speed automatic transmission, standard xDrive AWD system, and the engine’s power curve contributed to its performance. The X3 30 xDrive also had a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, improving off-the-line responsiveness and making the engine’s automatic start-stop system nearly imperceptible.

For more power, the M50 xDrive offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The X3 30 xDrive’s turbo-four engine was a gem, though mid-range passing power was sometimes lacking. The M Sport package with a sport-tuned suspension and optional 21-inch wheels provided a proper BMW driving experience, though the ride quality was firm on imperfect pavement. The X3 excelled on twisty roads, offering a delightful driving experience for a compact crossover SUV. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine also delivered impressive fuel economy, though real-world testing fell short of the EPA rating of 29 mpg in combined driving.

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 a range of adjustments, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and a third-row seat capable of accommodating adults. A dual sunroof panel added light to the otherwise dark interior. The controls were oriented horizontally, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use, though the metallic finish buttons were hard to read on sunny days.

The Telluride included thoughtful details, such as a digital instrumentation panel with a scenic landscape view that changed with the time of day. Storage space was generous, with a covered cubby forward of the shifter, a smartphone tray, and ample room in the door panel bins. 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 volume of 87 cubic feet. The X-Line and X-Pro trims also featured useful roof rails.

The 2025 BMW X3 provided an unexpected treat with its power-adjustable driver’s seat, offering a view of the hood framed by the sharply creased tops of the front fenders. The X3 felt wider and larger inside than most compact crossovers, with a simple dashboard featuring the BMW Curved Display, housing a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Angular trim elements illuminated at night, visually extending the cabin’s width.

The front seats offered power adjustment, heating, and Veganza artificial leather in a perforated and quilted pattern, with optional ventilation. The driver faced a flat-bottom steering wheel with a thick, round rim. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, with passengers positioned too low and longer-legged individuals complaining about the hard front seat-back panels. The cargo area measured 31.5 cubic feet, with a lightweight, easy-to-remove cargo cover, netted storage area, grocery bag hook, and illumination. A temporary spare tire and additional storage were found under the load floor, and the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat allowed for carrying longer items and passengers simultaneously.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. A Kia Connect subscription was necessary for a conversational voice recognition system. The test vehicle’s Kia Connect subscription was inactive, but Bluetooth pairing and streaming internet radio were easy. Four Kia Connect plans were available, with the Ultimate plan offering 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, 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, 10-inch head-up display, and 360-degree camera system were also available. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system notified drivers when vehicles ahead were moving again.

The 2025 BMW X3 featured the BMW Curved Display with Operating System 9 software, offering a Quick Select user experience. Owners could create profiles using the MyBMW smartphone app, though attempts to access BMW Digital Services were unsuccessful. The system occasionally froze and became unresponsive, and the default Guest profile did not provide access to BMW Digital Services.

Despite these issues, the navigation system with augmented video provided accurate directions and arrival estimates. Wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity worked intuitively and flawlessly, though the native infotainment features were frustrating. The problems may have been unique to the test vehicle or due to not creating a personal profile.

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 provided a hands-on semi-autonomous driving system 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 Blind-Spot View Monitor system was available, and Highway Driving Assist 2.0 added automatic lane changing. The Telluride earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 BMW X3’s driver assistance features were more rewarding than its infotainment system. The standard Active Driving Assistant suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and active blind-spot monitoring. The Premium Package added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Steering Assistant technology. The Parking Assistant Professional Package offered semi-automated parking tech, and the Driving Assistant Professional Package included hands-free Traffic Jam Assistant technology. The X3 earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in the frontal-impact crash test. The IIHS had not published safety ratings for the 2025 X3.