2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Kia Telluride was available in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige, with the option to add the rugged X-Line treatment to all but the LX and S trims. The X-Pro package was reserved for the top two trims, adding features like 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires and heavy-duty engine cooling, which increased the maximum towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. The Telluride's design updates from the previous year maintained its attractive proportions, and the Wolf Gray paint with the blacked-out X-Line styling was particularly striking. Inside, the SX Prestige model featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other color options like Mahogany brown and Sage Green were available, complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim. Despite some shiny plastic in the lower interior portions, the Telluride's cabin nearly met luxury SUV standards with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, and 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel.

The 2025 Subaru Outback stood out as one of the few remaining wagons in the U.S., adopting crossover trends with its chunky wheel-arch flares and rugged roof rack setup. The Crimson Red Pearl paint on the test car paired well with its black leather interior, though the Outback looked best in muted earthy shades. Subaru focused on buyers who might take their Outback off-road, a strategy that paid off with the popularity of the Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback models. The 2025 Outback saw no major changes, with base and Premium trims featuring cloth upholstery and 17-inch wheels, while higher trims like the Limited gained features such as a power moonroof and Subaru’s DriverFocus anti-distraction tech. The Touring XT trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and ventilated front seats. The Outback's exterior design provided a rugged shell over a well-executed interior, with minimal use of chrome and glossy black plastic. The dashboard featured easy-to-read gauges and a small digital display offering useful information.

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 the latter including a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, but the X-Pro package increased it to 5,500 pounds. The SUV had a ground clearance of 8.0 inches, which increased to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages. Despite its power, the Telluride was not very fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg in combined driving for AWD versions, though real-world testing showed lower figures. The Telluride's driving experience was quick and refined, with responsive steering and brakes, and a firm ride at lower speeds that softened at higher velocities. It was capable off-road, though not as much as a Jeep.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a horizontally opposed "Boxer" engine available in two forms: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided better acceleration, making the XT model a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance, with the Wilderness model increasing it to 9.5 inches and adding a front skid plate. The Outback's ride was smooth and comfortable, with light steering, smooth throttle, and powerful brakes. However, the stop/start technology was intrusive, and the CVT was slow to respond during transitions between gentle and stern throttle applications.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable interior, especially in higher trims like the SX Prestige X-Line, which featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a third-row seat capable of accommodating adults. The dual sunroof panel added light to the interior, and the controls were oriented horizontally for ease of use. The Telluride provided generous storage space, including a covered cubby and a tray for smartphones. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient, though it could be turned off when not needed. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum volume of 87 cubic feet. The X-Line and X-Pro trims also featured useful roof rails.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape offered practicality with easy entry and exit, a low center of gravity, and quick direction changes. It provided 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the bench folded. The Outback's total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet was larger than its crossover competition, offering more front headroom and legroom. Buyers were advised to test drive different trims, as the differences between models like the Limited and Wilderness were significant. The Outback's towing capacity was 2,700 pounds, increasing to 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged engine.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The Kia Connect subscription offered various features, including voice recognition, remote engine starting, and over-the-air updates. The test vehicle 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 digital key function. The Telluride also offered a camera-based rearview mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with wireless functionality except in the base model. The Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system worked well, though navigational commands limited audio to the rear speakers. The dashboard included a mix of buttons and knobs, and the Touring trim even included a CD player. A USB-A port was available alongside a USB-C port for older devices.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Highway Driving Assist provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, with upgrades available depending on the trim level. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight driver-assist technology, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The DriverFocus system monitored for driver distraction, though it occasionally issued false notifications. The 2024 Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, and the 2025 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.