2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Cadillac Escalade

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 but the LX and S trims, while the X-Pro package was exclusive to the top two trims. The X-Line package added standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with 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 Telluride with 18-inch matte-black wheels, all-terrain tires, and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the 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 its 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, dark blue, and Sage Green were available, each complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim. Despite the luxurious feel, the shiny plastic covering the interior's lower portions was 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, and classy metallic accents.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, aside from the low-volume Celestiq EV, was Cadillac's largest and most expensive offering, embodying old-school luxury since its debut in 1999. The updated 2025 design further distinguished it from its Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL counterparts. The most significant exterior change was a new front end, aligning the gasoline Escalade stylistically closer to the Escalade IQ and other Cadillac EVs. The headlights became large vertical bars, with smaller horizontal daytime running lights below the hood shut line. The rear retained tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. For 2025, 24-inch wheels were available for the first time, complementing the vehicle's massive appearance.

Cadillac offered standard-wheelbase and long-wheelbase Escalade ESV body styles, with Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum trim levels, plus the Escalade-V performance model. The Sport models featured darkened exterior trim and mesh grilles, while Premium Luxury Platinum models added an illuminated Cadillac crest and grille surround. Inside, Cadillac worked to conceal the shared platform with other GM full-size SUVs, adopting a screen-centric interior design. The 2025 model replaced the 38-inch OLED curved display with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. Base models featured Interluxe synthetic leather upholstery, while higher trims offered real leather, with semi-aniline leather available. The Premium Luxury Platinum test car’s Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim were impressively finished, making it hard to believe it shared a platform with a Chevy.

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 a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which increased to 5,500 pounds with the X-Pro package. The AWD models included a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode, alongside Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. Standard ground clearance was 8.0 inches, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, and the SUV featured a self-leveling rear suspension.

The Telluride accelerated easily to freeway speeds and provided 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, with 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 enhancing its athletic feel 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-road, the Telluride proved more capable than expected, handling various terrains from Colorado trails to Texas ruts.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine, leaving only the naturally-aspirated gasoline 6.2-liter V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V continued with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, balancing low ratios for acceleration and high ratios for efficient cruising.

Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive optional on most models. The Escalade-V had a model-specific AWD system for performance driving. All but the base Luxury trim included an electronic rear limited-slip differential and a two-speed transfer case with 4WD. Magnetic Ride Control damping was standard on all but the base grade, but even with optional air suspension, the Escalade lacked the structural rigidity of a unibody platform, falling short of the polish seen in competitors like the Range Rover or Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.

The V8 provided quick acceleration and a pleasing sound, but the brakes lacked confidence. Cadillac offered a Performance Upgrade Package with Brembo six-piston front calipers, a performance air intake, and a cat-back exhaust system, which was a recommended option.

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. Controls were oriented horizontally, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was user-friendly, though metallic finish buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight.

Thoughtful details included a digital instrumentation panel with scenic landscape views, generous storage space, and a hands-free power liftgate. Cargo space was ample, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet. The X-Line and X-Pro offered useful roof rails for additional storage.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade was available in short and long-wheelbase configurations. The long-wheelbase ESV added 13.2 inches between the wheels, benefiting cargo space and third-row legroom. Seating for up to eight was available, or seven with second-row captain’s chairs. The Escalade offered ample space, with best-in-class first-row headroom and legroom. Cargo space in the standard model was 25.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 72.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet behind the front seats. ESV models offered even more space, with 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 94.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and 142.8 cubic feet behind the first row.

The Escalade had a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds for the standard model and 8,000 pounds for ESV models, comparable to competitors. However, it lacked some towing features offered by rivals like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. An active Kia Connect subscription was needed for voice recognition. The test vehicle’s Kia Connect subscription was inactive, but past experiences showed it worked well. Kia Connect offered various plans, with features like remote engine starting, climate pre-conditioning, and over-the-air updates.

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 display, Quiet Mode, and a function to project the driver’s voice to rear passengers. A digital key function and a camera-based rearview mirror were also available, along with a 10-inch head-up display and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade featured a new 55-inch door-to-door display, incorporating a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with easy-to-use icons and a traditional steering wheel.

The optional Executive Second Row Package included 12.6-inch screens, dual wireless device chargers, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers. The Escalade offered extensive creature comforts, making it a luxurious choice for passengers.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard Kia Drive Wise driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear occupant protection. Highway Driving Assist was standard, offering semi-autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. Safety feature upgrades included front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor system.

The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, ensuring optimum protection in case of a collision.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, and automatic emergency braking. GM-specific features included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat and Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system. Super Cruise had improved, though the handoff to manual control was abrupt in construction zones. Current crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication.