2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

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 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 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, including extra cost 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 fundamentally attractive 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 formerly gray grille surround and bumper details. The test car featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other appealing cabin colors 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 hide the shiny plastic covering 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, classy metallic accents, and thoughtful details, though the plastic was a downside.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was tested just outside Mount Rainier National Park during a snowstorm that dropped over two feet of snow in two days. The Rock Creek trim, equipped with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 tires, standard AWD, and seven selectable driving modes, including a dedicated snow mode, handled the conditions well. The tires, mounted on 18-inch beadlock-style wheels, contributed significantly to the Rock Creek's adventurous look and off-road capability. Redesigned for the 2022 model year, the Pathfinder's fifth generation featured an assertive, upright front end, protective cladding, and a stylishly slanted C-pillar. The Rock Creek trim further enhanced its appearance with a V-Motion grille, mesh pattern, contrasting trim elements, stacked LED lighting, and a metal roof rack with a 220-pound capacity.

Despite its rugged appearance, the Pathfinder was a unibody crossover, lacking additional ground clearance and protective skid plates. It also did not include a full-size spare tire. Inside, the Pathfinder offered cloth seats on the S and SV trims, while the Rock Creek featured leatherette-and-cloth upholstery with bright orange "Rock Creek" logos. The SL trim had full leather seats, and the Platinum trim upgraded to quilted semi-aniline leather. Heated front seats were standard above the S trim, with the Platinum trim adding ventilation. The Rock Creek's interior was generally comfortable, with extremely comfortable seats and solid material quality, though it lacked cutting-edge technology.

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 version included a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode, along with Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. The Telluride had a 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 provided good passing power, though it was not 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 to prevent head-toss. Off-roading capabilities were better than expected, though not comparable to a Jeep.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in the S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, and 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque in the Rock Creek trim. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which replaced the previous CVT. The Platinum and Rock Creek trims included a transmission oil cooler, increasing the maximum towing capacity to 6,000 pounds. The Pathfinder's ride was soft, suitable for bumpy roads and light off-roading, but it felt floaty on twisty roads. The Rock Creek trim was best suited for light off-roading, with less composed on-road driving compared to competitors like the Honda Pilot TrailSport and Kia Telluride X-Pro.

The Pathfinder's fuel economy was slightly better than its competitors, with the Rock Creek trim achieving 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined. The Pathfinder featured seven drive modes, including Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut, and Tow, along with hill-descent control. The various modes adjusted power delivery, throttle response, and transmission shift points to maximize traction, with snow mode providing necessary traction in deep snow.

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 interior. The Telluride's controls were oriented horizontally, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use. However, the metallic finish buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel were hard to read in bright sunlight.

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 tray for a smartphone, and ample room in the door panel bins. A hands-free power liftgate with automatic closing was available, providing convenience and safety. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum volume of 87 cubic feet. The X-Line and X-Pro trims included useful roof rails for additional cargo capacity.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, while not offering as much cargo capacity as some competitors, provided ample interior space. During a three-day ski trip with four grown men, the Pathfinder accommodated skis, poles, boots, luggage, and groceries while still providing comfortable seating. The Pathfinder offered 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 45 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 80.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The SV and Rock Creek trims came standard with a power liftgate.

The Pathfinder's interior was comfortable, with three-zone climate control and seats in the first and second rows providing a blend of cushion and support. The Rock Creek trim featured 10-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, while the front-passenger seat had six-way manual adjustment. The Rock Creek also included captain's chairs and a removable center console for the second row. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed the middle seat to slide and tip forward while keeping a car seat in place, providing convenience for parents.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system supported Bluetooth pairing and internet radio 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 features like voice assist, remote engine starting, and over-the-air updates. The Telluride included satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Additional features included a blue-light filter for the infotainment display, Quiet Mode, a digital key function, a camera-based rearview mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's technology was less impressive, with an older interface compared to other Nissans. The software worked well, but the graphics were dated, and the screen size was smaller than competitors. The Pathfinder featured a 6-speaker stereo, with a 13-speaker Bose system available on the SL and standard on the Platinum trim. NissanConnect supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless projection available only for Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. The Pathfinder included voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Navigation was standard on the SL and Platinum trims, and a 12.3-inch TFT driver-information display was standard on the Platinum. A head-up display was available only on the Platinum trim.

The 2024 Kia Telluride featured the 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 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 Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder also received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It was equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were standard on all but the base S trim, and traffic sign recognition was standard on the SL and Platinum trims.