2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Kia Telluride was available in Canada in three core trim levels: EX, SX, and SX Limited, with additional rugged options in the X-Line and X-Pro trims. All trims came standard with all-wheel drive, offering a blend of style and functionality. The X-Line trim added a centimetre of ground clearance and improved approach and departure angles, while the X-Pro trim enhanced off-road capabilities with 18-inch matte-black wheels and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. Prices ranged from $53,433 for the base EX to $66,133 for the X-Pro trim. The Telluride's design, with its attractive proportions and optional Wolf Gray paint, appealed to many, although some found last year’s styling updates less appealing. Inside, the test car featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other colour options like Mahogany brown and Sage Green were available, complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S hardtop, encountered during a rental experience, was less about aesthetics and more about rugged functionality. The black-on-black colour scheme was less ideal for tropical climates, but the Wrangler's design, rooted in its military heritage, remained fundamentally appealing. In Canada, the Wrangler was offered in various trims, including Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, and Rubicon X, with prices ranging from $42,995 to $80,085. The Sport S model, with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, had a sticker price of $66,070. Despite its high price, the Wrangler's interior was basic, with a focus on durability and function over luxury. The design allowed for open-air driving, and while the ride was rough, the Wrangler's capability to traverse challenging terrains was undeniable.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, which increased to 2,495 kilograms in the X-Pro trim due to heavy-duty engine cooling. The Telluride featured a locking centre differential and multiple driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. With a ground clearance of 20.3 centimetres, rising to 21.3 centimetres in the X-Line and X-Pro trims, the Telluride provided a smooth and refined driving experience, though it was not particularly fuel-efficient, averaging 12.4 L/100 km during testing. Despite its firm ride at lower speeds, the Telluride excelled on highways, offering responsive steering and effective brakes.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering better fuel efficiency with a rating of 11.0 L/100 km in combined driving. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and narrow width made it adept at off-road adventures. However, its three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA was a concern. The Wrangler's ride was rough, with slow steering and handling traits that were less suited for fast driving. Despite these drawbacks, the Wrangler's off-road capabilities were impressive, allowing it to tackle challenging terrains with ease.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable and spacious interior, especially in higher trims with premium Nappa leather upholstery and heated and ventilated seats. The third-row seat could accommodate adults, and a dual sunroof added light to the interior. The Telluride featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with easy-to-use controls, though some buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight. Thoughtful details included a digital instrumentation panel with scenic landscape views and generous storage space. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient, offering 594 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,463 litres with seats folded.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The Sport S trim offered comfortable front seats with cloth upholstery and optional heated features. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of plastic hooks. Storage space was limited, with small bins and nets for stashing items. The Wrangler's cargo area was accessible through a tailgate and rear window, offering 897 litres of space, expandable to 2,050 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kia Connect trial subscription was included, offering various plans for remote functions and navigation. Standard features included satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Telluride also offered a digital key function, a camera-based rearview mirror, and a 10-inch head-up display with blind-spot warnings.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio preparation. The Sport S model included an eight-speaker stereo, with an optional Alpine premium sound system. Jeep Connect provided adventure guides and GPS trail logs for off-road navigation. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display and remote engine starting system, while the Safety Group option pack included rear parking sensors.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Highway Driving Assist provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, with additional safety features 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 Jeep Wrangler introduced side curtain airbags as standard equipment, with optional advanced driver assistance systems available on higher trims. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Wrangler a Good rating for side-impact protection, but a Marginal rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test due to tipping onto its side.