2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged and customizable aesthetic, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in design. Despite the Defender 90 appearing stubby and the 130 carrying excessive visual mass over its rear wheels, all models maintained an appealingly robust look. Canadian base prices ranged from $79,050 for a basic 90 model to $160,720 for a 130 V8, with the Defender OCTA priced at $198,460. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 X trim, featured black exterior elements, upgraded interior materials, and comprehensive off-roading technology, priced at just over $130,000 with additional options. The interior boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, maintaining an industrial theme with quality materials, though it wasn't a traditional luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2025 Kia Telluride offered a more conventional yet attractive SUV design, with five trim levels available in Canada, ranging from $53,840 to $66,540. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added off-roading capabilities and distinctive styling elements. Our test vehicle, the X-Pro trim, featured Midnight Lake Blue paint, bringing the MSRP to $66,916. The Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with a black-over-Terracotta theme, simulated wood trim, and chevron-pattern Nappa leather. The dual-screen display provided a modern touch, and the SUV retained physical buttons for ease of use. While the blacked-out trims diminished some of the Telluride's personality, it remained a standout in a crowded SUV market.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, provided robust acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 3,720 kilograms. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. Its adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced off-road capabilities. Despite its prowess, the Defender's 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires limited its on-road agility, and its 2,578-kilogram curb weight affected handling on twisty roads. Fuel economy was observed at 14.5 L/100 km, slightly above the expected 13.0 L/100 km.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode adapting to driver behaviour. The V6 provided smooth and ample power, though it occasionally struggled at higher elevations. Fuel economy was commendable at 11.6 L/100 km over nearly 2,000 kilometres, aligning with the 11.7 L/100 km rating. The X-Pro trim's all-terrain tires excelled off-road but compromised on-pavement grip. The Telluride's driving experience was generally pleasurable, though brake pedal behaviour in traffic was occasionally problematic.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered spacious seating across three rows, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring effective heating and ventilation. Visibility was excellent, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open feel, but storage space for passengers' belongings was limited. The Defender's third-row seat was accessible and comfortable, but the side-hinged cargo door was cumbersome. Cargo space was 433 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,237 litres with the third row folded, and 2,520 litres with all rear seats down.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with heated and ventilated second-row seats, USB-C charging ports, and smartphone storage sleeves. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and ample legroom, while the overhead glass roof enhanced the travel experience. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable and accessible. Cargo space was 601 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and 2,455 litres with all rear seats down. The hidden compartment under the load floor added versatility, though the carpeted cargo mat was inconvenient.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's response and accuracy had improved, offering a more intuitive user experience. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The Meridian premium sound system impressed, and the optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2025 Kia Telluride offered a 12.3-inch digital driver display and touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 10-inch head-up display. The head-up display provided blind-spot alerts, while the Blind Spot View Monitor showed live video feeds. However, the infotainment system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the USB-A data port was outdated. The SiriusXM satellite radio and Harman Kardon audio system delivered good sound quality, though the native voice recognition system was basic.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender included driver aids such as automatic high beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The system operated smoothly, though lane keep assist occasionally misjudged lane departures. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at press time.

The 2025 Kia Telluride came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving, though lane-centring assist was occasionally problematic. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.