2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2024 Kia Telluride was offered in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The 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 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 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 updates from the previous year were not universally appealing, but its attractive forms and proportions remained intact. 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 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. Despite the luxurious feel of the SX Prestige, the presence of shiny plastic in the interior's lower portions was a downside, especially given the SUV's near-luxury standards with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, and classy metallic accents.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, marking the start of its third generation. It adopted a sleek modernity inspired by VW's electric vehicles, most notably in the front with narrower headlights and a plastic trim element reminiscent of the ID.4 EV. The top SEL R-Line trim featured an illuminated VW badge and light bar for added impact. The grille appeared larger, occupying the lower half of the front fascia, with smaller actual grille openings and large air intakes flanking it. The side profile showcased a sportier tapering hatch, enhanced by a black contrasting roof and dark-tinted windows. The hood seemed longer, and the nose sat more upright and blunted, with shortened front and rear overhangs giving the Tiguan a sportier silhouette. The rear featured a single bar taillight spanning the liftgate, with an oversized plastic trim piece echoing the front grille.

Inside, the Tiguan received a modernization, replacing the integrated center touchscreen with a tablet-like display and a digital instrument panel standard on all trims. The dashboard adopted a minimalist design, with physical climate controls moved to the bottom of the central touchscreen, creating a broader, more horizontal look. The gear selector was relocated to the steering column, providing additional storage space. Materials quality was average for the compact SUV class, with soft-touch materials and padded sections in high-contact areas, while rear seats used plastic for durability. Covering the hard plastic center console and door handles would have improved the interior impression.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, delivered to the front or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. 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 Telluride accelerated easily to freeway speeds and provided good passing power, though it was not fuel-efficient. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving for AWD versions, but real-world testing averaged 19 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop and 17.5 mpg during city driving. A hybrid drivetrain was overdue, with suggestions for a system offering good power and fuel economy. Despite its fuel economy, 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.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It was front-wheel drive, with Volkswagen's 4Motion AWD available on all models and standard on the top SEL R-Line trim. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to be similar to its predecessor, reaching 60 mph in approximately 8.5 seconds. The drivetrain delivered power smoothly and linearly, with confident highway acceleration.

Braking was confident, with an appropriately weighted pedal for smooth stops. The Tiguan's suspension favored comfort, smoothing over road imperfections while maintaining composure on winding roads. The cabin was quiet, with well-silenced tire noise and undetectable wind noise at highway speeds. The Tiguan was not sporty but was appropriately tuned for a mix of performance and comfort. A more powerful Turbo version was anticipated for 2026, offering 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while a hybrid powertrain was also teased.

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 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 and physical controls. Metallic finish buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight, but the Telluride included thoughtful details like a digital instrumentation panel with scenic landscape views.

Storage space was generous, with a covered cubby, smartphone tray, and door panel bins. A hands-free power liftgate with automatic closing was available, though it could be undesirable in certain situations. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded and 87 cubic feet maximum. The X-Line and X-Pro trims provided useful roof rails for additional storage.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, increasing second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. Headroom remained sufficient for average-sized adults. The elimination of capacitive-touch buttons improved usability, with traditional controls on the steering wheel. Outward visibility was comparable to other small SUVs, with narrow front roof pillars and a sufficiently large rear window.

The center console offered more storage with the gear shifter relocated, featuring cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the new area appeared smaller than the previous generation's 37.6 cubic feet. The angled liftgate limited loading of bulkier items, but deep pockets behind the wheel humps provided secure storage for smaller items. Remote seatback releases and a power liftgate were standard on all but the base trim, with hands-free operation on the top SEL R-Line.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Wireless pairing via Bluetooth was easy, but the test vehicle's Kia Connect subscription was inactive, preventing a voice recognition test. Four Kia Connect plans were available, with the Ultimate plan offering the most features for $199 annually. 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 infotainment display, Quiet Mode, and a function to deliver 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 Telluride offered a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system to notify drivers when traffic ahead was moving.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a standard digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display available on the top trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired with a wireless phone charger in the center armrest bin. Capacitive-touch sliders were present but minimally used, with a new volume knob on the center console.

The Tiguan introduced Atmospheres, a system combining ambient lighting and audio settings to enhance mood. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available on the top trim. VW's Car-Net system offered remote monitoring and control, plus a Wi-Fi hotspot.

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, providing 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, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor system.

Highway Driving Assist 2.0 added automatic lane changing, though it performed best on wide-open freeways and rural roads. The lane-change assist system worked well, 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 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not yet available. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, lane-keep assist, and more. The Emergency Assist system slowed the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated, and post-collision braking reduced secondary impacts. The SE R-Line added a head-up display, while the top SEL R-Line included a surround-view camera system and a semi-automated parking system.

In testing, the Tiguan's safety features functioned as expected, with no false alarms or oversensitivity. The lane-keep assist provided a sensible amount of steering pull, alerting drivers to lane drift without being overly intrusive.