2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was designed to project a sportier image within the Range Rover lineup. Its tall stance was complemented by a shorter wheelbase and a chopped top, giving it an athletic appearance. Large front air intakes and faux vents on the hood and fenders added to its sporty look, although from certain angles, it appeared a bit too tall and narrow. The SV Edition Two trim, the highest-performance model, featured unique elements like 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood. Inside, the minimalist aesthetic was highlighted by red leather upholstery and sport seats with illuminated inserts, though the high console and dash created a somewhat cramped feel.

The 2025 Kia Telluride, available in five trims in Canada, was praised for its attractive proportions and distinctive design. The X-Pro trim, with its blacked-out look and exclusive wheel designs, added off-roading capability and increased towing capacity. Inside, the Telluride offered a luxurious feel with features like simulated wood trim, metallic accents, and chevron-pattern Nappa leather. The dual-screen display provided a modern touch, and the inclusion of buttons and knobs made it user-friendly. However, the lower cabin plastics revealed cost-cutting measures. Overall, the Telluride managed to stand out in a crowded SUV market with its original design.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The base Dynamic SE model featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid variant increased output to 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim offered a more powerful plug-in hybrid with 543 hp and 590 lb-ft. A BMW-sourced twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, was available for the Dynamic SE and Autobiography models. The SV Edition Two pushed the V8's output to 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover ever. It could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and had a top speed of 290 km/h. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both on-road performance and off-road capability, thanks to its sport-tuned air suspension, four-wheel steering, and Terrain Response system.

The 2025 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 hp and 262 lb-ft 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. While some competitors switched to turbocharged four-cylinders, the Telluride's V6 provided smooth and ample power, achieving a fuel economy of 11.6 L/100 km over 2,000 km. The X-Pro trim's all-terrain tires enhanced off-road capability but sacrificed some on-road grip. The Telluride's suspension absorbed impacts well, providing a comfortable ride on various surfaces. However, the brake pedal occasionally felt sticky in traffic. Overall, the Telluride delivered a pleasurable driving experience with its capable V6 engine and versatile driving modes.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered a midsize two-row configuration. While it lacked a third row, it provided ample headroom and reclining rear seats. The cargo space measured 835 litres behind the second row and expanded to 1,860 litres with the seats folded. The Sport's towing capacity reached 3,500 kg for turbo-six and V8 models, with plug-in hybrids rated at 3,000 kg. Despite not having a split tailgate, the power-operated tailgate and air suspension's "access height" setting facilitated loading and unloading.

The 2025 Kia Telluride, a three-row SUV, featured thoughtful interior design with heated and ventilated second-row seats, USB-C ports, and smartphone storage sleeves. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and ample legroom, while the third row was accessible and comfortable for adults. Cargo space measured 601 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,304 litres with the third row folded and 2,455 litres with the second row down. The Telluride's interior offered practicality and versatility, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. While the screens looked great, the minimalist design limited physical controls, requiring screen widgets for functions like climate control. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, and the "Body and Soul Seats" added a unique touch with embedded transducers. However, the feature felt gimmicky, akin to an amusement park ride.

The 2025 Kia Telluride offered a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 10-inch head-up display on higher trims. The head-up display provided blind-spot alerts, and the Blind Spot View Monitor showed live video feeds. However, the Telluride lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the USB-A data port was outdated. Despite these shortcomings, the Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality, and the SiriusXM subscription provided entertainment during road trips.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though the parking sensors were overly sensitive. At the time of writing, safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2025 Kia Telluride came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Highway Driving Assist, a semi-autonomous system, was standard across all trims. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, providing peace of mind for safety-conscious buyers.