2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Nissan Armada

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 further 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. 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, which otherwise nearly met luxury SUV standards with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, classy metallic accents, and thoughtful details.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a strikingly high beltline, similar to its luxury counterpart, the Infiniti QX80. The grille and front fascia appeared taller, aided by the SUV’s higher ground clearance and limited lower grille portion. The PRO-4X trim was the only 2025 Armada to feature a skid plate. The new front lighting signature updated the old DRLs with C-shaped LED lines opening inward. The large and imposing grille made a strong impression, setting it apart from its predecessor. From the side, the third-generation Armada appeared larger and more business-like, with a parallel beltline and a defined D-pillar with an ARMADA-emblazoned accent strip. The PRO-4X trim featured Lava Red accents, while other trims had chrome. The round wheel arches remained, adding black plastic cladding to the PRO-4X for a rugged character. The new C-shaped DRLs were echoed by standard LED taillights, with a fashionable red lightbar on the PRO-4X and Platinum Reserve trims.

The Armada came with 18-inch wheels on the SV trim, 22-inch rollers on the Platinum Reserve, and 20-inch wheels by default on other trims. The PRO-4X had unique wheels with all-terrain tires. Pro-4X, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve models offered a two-tone paint job option. The Platinum Reserve and PRO-4X trims were comfortably outfitted inside, with the PRO-4X feeling premium despite its task-oriented nature. The Platinum trims featured quilting, and the Chestnut with Rye theme in the Platinum Reserve test car was particularly appealing. The tan leather adorned the dash, door cards, and seats, creating a luxurious cabin atmosphere.

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 SUV accelerated easily to freeway speeds and offered good passing power, though it wasn't very fuel-efficient, averaging 19 mpg in combined driving and 17.5 mpg in city driving. The Telluride's 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 Nissan Armada introduced a new powertrain with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, inspired by the high-performance GT-R, producing 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The old seven-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a nine-speed automatic. All trims except the PRO-4X were available with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or Nissan’s Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive (4WD), while the PRO-4X was 4WD-only. The PRO-4X featured dedicated 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, an electronic locking rear differential, and metal underbody skid plates. It shared the adaptive electronic air suspension with the Armada Platinum Reserve, offering a 33-degree approach angle, 25.5-degree breakover angle, and 24.5-degree departure angle, with 9.6 inches of ground clearance. Every 4WD Armada included hill-descent control and an off-road information display. The Armada could tow up to 8,500 pounds, with trailer sway control, a trailer brake controller, and trailer blind-spot warning standard. The Armada's updated electric power steering provided a nice sense of engagement, and the adaptive air suspension added comfort on-road and off-road. The PRO-4X excelled in Mud/Rut mode, raising the SUV for better ground clearance.

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. The controls were oriented horizontally, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use. Physical controls were prevalent, though metallic finish buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight. The Telluride included thoughtful details like a digital instrumentation panel with changing scenic landscapes and generous storage space. A hands-free power liftgate was available, rising automatically when the key fob was nearby. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space 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 trims provided useful roof rails for additional cargo capacity.

The 2025 Nissan Armada replaced the old lever-style gear selector with a push-button transmission, freeing up center console space for a wireless charging pad in all but the base SV trim. The Armada Platinum Reserve featured “Zero Gravity” seats, which were comfortable but felt deep. The Armada offered standard eight-way driver's-side power adjustment, increasing with each trim to 12-way adjustment with four-way lumbar on both sides of the front row. Heated front seats were standard on the SL trim, with front-row seat cooling and second-row seat heating available on higher trims. The Armada had a three-row configuration, with a second-row bench seat standard except on Platinum trims, which had captain’s chairs by default. The third-row seats offered power one-touch folding on all but the base trim. Cargo volume increased across the board, with 20.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.3 behind the second row, and 97.1 in total. The Armada's headroom and legroom varied depending on the sunroof and trim, with improvements in third-row legroom.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The system supported Bluetooth streaming, but the test vehicle's Kia Connect subscription was inactive, preventing a voice recognition test. 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, and a function to deliver the driver’s voice to rear-seat occupants. A digital key function allowed smartphone or card key access, and a camera-based rearview mirror offered a clear view behind the SUV. A 10-inch head-up display and a 360-degree camera system were available, along with a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured two large screens, with 12.3-inch displays on the SV and SL trims and 14.3-inch screens on higher trims. The screens were housed side by side in a flat display unit, visible from the driver’s seat. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with six USB-C ports. The SL trim added a wireless charging pad and Google Built-In, allowing Google Maps to be viewed on the driver-information display. A head-up display was optional starting at the SL trim level. The base Armada SV had a six-speaker sound system, while a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System was standard on higher trims. The Klipsch system was demonstrated by product specialists, highlighting its merits for audiophiles.

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, with options like 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 Nissan Armada came with Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, with enhanced versions on higher trims. ProPILOT Assist 1.1 added proactive speed management based on navigation data, while ProPILOT Assist 2.1 offered hands-free highway-driving assist technology. The Armada also included Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. A surround-view camera was standard on the Armada SL, with higher trims offering Nissan’s 3D Around View Monitor and Invisible Hood View. The Intelligent Around-View camera allowed navigation without a physical line of sight, useful in situations like automated car washes.