2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Chevrolet Equinox

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 exclusive to 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 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. The test car featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other cabin color options were available, such as Mahogany brown, Terracotta brown, light gray over black or dark blue, and Sage Green. These colors complemented the simulated open-pore wood trim and helped conceal the shiny plastic in the interior's lower portions. 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 plastic detracted from the overall experience.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, adopting a modern look that aligned with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The flat roof, upright grille, and “shark fin” C-pillar gave it a more robust appearance, fitting in with models like the Suburban and Silverado. Each trim had distinct exterior styling elements, with the base Equinox LT offering traditional chrome or an optional Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim featured black mirrors and badges, a larger grille opening, and red RS emblems, with 19-inch wheels standard and 20-inch wheels available. The new ACTIV trim stood out with dark chrome accents and simpler grille inserts, emphasizing its adventure orientation with 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires.

Higher trims featured a dark blue Chevy bowtie and two-tone paint combos, with a black roof for RS and a white roof for ACTIV at no extra charge. The LT buyers could choose either for $495 or stick with a body-colored roof. Interior styling distinguished the trims, with the RS trim offering a sporty effect with red highlights and contrast stitching, while the ACTIV trim featured a “Maple Sugar and Black” interior theme with two-tone seats and dash. The cabin design eliminated the substantial cowl and moved the shifter to the steering column, opening up the center console. The new infotainment screen was layered with the driver-information display, enhancing functionality and aesthetics.

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 and all-wheel drive options, with most models capable of towing 5,000 pounds. The X-Pro package increased towing capacity to 5,500 pounds with heavy-duty engine cooling. The AWD models included a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode, alongside Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. Ground clearance was 8.0 inches in standard spec, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, and the SUV featured a self-leveling rear suspension.

The Telluride provided ample power for freeway acceleration and passing, though it was not fuel-efficient. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving for AWD versions, but real-world testing averaged 19 mpg, with city driving returning 17.5 mpg. A hybrid drivetrain was suggested as a future improvement. The driving experience was refined, with brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control enhancing agility in curves. The steering was responsive, and the brakes resisted rumble and fade. The ride was firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, absorbing pavement undulations effectively. Off-road capabilities were better than expected, though not comparable to a Jeep.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox retained a single engine offering: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied with powertrain, with FWD models offering 184 lb-ft and AWD models 203 lb-ft. The FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD versions had an eight-speed automatic. The eight-speed was an improvement over the previous six-speed, offering quicker gear changes and reduced noise. The accelerator was responsive at low speeds, but highway merging highlighted the engine's limitations, with increased noise and sluggish acceleration.

The Equinox could tow up to 1,500 pounds with AWD, while FWD models were limited to 800 pounds. Selectable drive modes were introduced, with RS and ACTIV trims offering Normal, Snow, and Off-Road modes. The ride was generally quiet and comfortable, though the small engine struggled with the crossover's size during highway merges.

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

The Telluride included thoughtful details, such as a digital instrumentation panel with scenic landscape views that changed with the time of day. Storage space was generous, with a covered cubby, smartphone tray, and ample door panel bins. A hands-free power liftgate with automatic closing was available, though it could be undesirable in certain situations. Cargo space was ample, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet. Roof rails on the X-Line and X-Pro trims offered additional storage options.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard on RS and ACTIV trims. Front seat ventilation was available in a package that also included heated rear seats and driver’s seat memory. The Equinox RS and ACTIV had Evotex seats, which felt premium despite the absence of genuine leather. The flat roof provided consistent headroom, with 38.2 inches in the front seats with the moonroof and 37.8 inches in the back. The moonroof extended into the rear seats, adding light for passengers.

The cabin design included a well-placed “dead pedal” for driver comfort. Cargo space was slightly reduced, with 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded. A hidden storage compartment was available beneath the load floor, though overall cargo volume was small for the class.

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 necessary for conversational voice recognition. The test vehicle lacked an active subscription, but past experiences indicated good performance. 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 rear passengers, and a function to project the driver’s voice to the back seats. A digital key function allowed smartphone or card key access, and a camera-based rearview mirror offered clear visibility. A 10-inch head-up display and a 360-degree camera system were available, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox featured Google Built-In as standard, with wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration projected onto the driver information display, allowing simultaneous infotainment activity. Voice control was problematic in the test vehicle, with volume issues, though this was not a universal problem. The new infotainment system touchscreen was 11.3 inches, 30% larger than the previous model, and included wi-fi hotspot capability and a six-speaker audio system. Wireless charging was standard for RS and ACTIV trims, with no option for an upgraded sound system.

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 semi-autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. Safety feature upgrades varied by trim, with options like front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, and automatic rear braking. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided camera displays on the digital instrumentation.

Highway Driving Assist 2.0 added automatic lane changing, though it performed best in specific conditions. The lane-change assist system was accurate, but the lane-keeping system was intrusive without Highway Driving Assist. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package for $1,085, adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, traffic-sign recognition, and a camera rearview mirror. Most safety features were standard, including rear park assist, lane-change alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to program a key with speed and volume limitations, providing a report card of driving behavior.