2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Kia Telluride

The 2025 Dodge Durango was a bold statement in the SUV market, offering a range of trims from the base GT with a V6 engine to the high-performance SRT Hellcat with a supercharged V8. The Silver Bullet special edition added a distinctive flair with its satin black hood and dark accents, enhancing the Hellcat's aggressive stance. Inside, the Durango SRT Hellcat featured dark red Nappa leather seats and a suede headliner, providing a luxurious yet understated cabin. However, some plastic surfaces detracted from the premium feel expected at this price point.

In contrast, the 2025 Kia Telluride presented a more refined and upscale appearance with its five trim levels, each offering standard AWD. The X-Pro trim, with its Midnight Lake Blue paint, added a rugged touch with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Telluride boasted a black-over-Terracotta interior with chevron-pattern Nappa leather and simulated wood trim, creating a luxurious atmosphere. Despite some lower-quality plastics, the Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with ample storage and user-friendly controls.

The 2025 Dodge Durango offered a range of powerful engines, with the SRT Hellcat standing out with its 710-horsepower supercharged 6.2-litre V8. This engine delivered 645 pound-feet of torque, allowing the SUV to accelerate to 96 km/h in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 290 km/h. Despite its impressive performance, the Durango SRT Hellcat suffered from poor fuel economy, with ratings of 20.5 L/100 km in the city and 13.8 on the highway. The SUV's full-time AWD system and adaptive damping suspension provided excellent handling and grip, making it feel track-ready despite its size.

The 2025 Kia Telluride, powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. While not as powerful as the Durango, the Telluride's engine was smooth and refined, offering respectable fuel economy of 11.6 L/100 km over long distances. The Telluride's driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, and Sport, allowed for a versatile driving experience. The X-Pro trim's all-terrain tires provided enhanced off-road capability, though they sacrificed some on-road grip. Overall, the Telluride delivered a comfortable and confident ride, with only minor issues in brake pedal behaviour during heavy traffic.

The 2025 Dodge Durango excelled in interior space and functionality, offering heated and ventilated front seats with Nappa leather and a spacious cabin. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort, though they sat a bit low. The third-row seat was accessible and comfortable for adults, with ample cargo space behind it. With the third-row seats folded, the Durango offered 1,226 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,409 litres with all rear seats down. Thoughtful features like rear climate controls and multiple USB ports added to the Durango's practicality.

The 2025 Kia Telluride impressed with its thoughtful interior design, featuring heated and ventilated second-row seats and ample storage solutions. The second-row captain's chairs offered comfort and convenience, with plenty of legroom and a panoramic glass roof enhancing the experience. The Telluride provided 601 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,304 litres with the seats folded. With all rear seats down, the maximum cargo volume reached 2,455 litres. Despite not being class-leading, the Telluride's cargo space was sufficient for most needs.

The 2025 Dodge Durango featured a Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a native navigation system. The SRT Hellcat came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, delivering excellent sound quality. The SRT Performance Pages allowed drivers to track performance metrics, adding a sporty touch to the family-friendly SUV. While the voice recognition system worked well, it required specific commands, and the navigation system sometimes provided overly broad search results.

The 2025 Kia Telluride offered a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, providing a clean and aesthetically pleasing interface. However, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback. The Telluride's head-up display and Blind Spot View Monitor enhanced safety and convenience, though the voice recognition system was basic. The 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality, and the SiriusXM satellite radio provided entertainment in areas with limited cell service.

The 2025 Dodge Durango's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. However, its safety ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and concerns in the IIHS's small overlap frontal-impact test. The adaptive cruise control system was functional but sometimes reduced speed excessively in curves.

The 2025 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, though the lane-centring assist system could be overly assertive. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety performance.