Kia Telluride vs Genesis GV80

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was a testament to sophisticated design, with its elegant exterior and luxurious interior. In Canada, it was available with two engine options and four trims, but the top Prestige trim with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged engine stood out. The redesign maintained the vehicle's handsome appeal, featuring a more aggressive front bumper and a grille with added depth. The micro lens array in the traditional two horizontal bar headlights and the subtle tweaks to the Genesis logo added to its allure. The muted exterior colours were complemented by the new Storr Green, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the GV80 offered quilted Nappa leather seats, a suede headliner, and unique interior accents like basalt or recycled newspaper trim. The centre console was thoughtfully designed with tactile dials for gear selection, drive modes, and infotainment control, although the redundant infotainment dial seemed unnecessary.

The 2025 Kia Telluride, available in five trims, was a good-looking SUV with distinctive design elements and upscale details. The X-Pro trim, with its increased ground clearance and off-roading capabilities, was particularly noteworthy. However, the blacked-out X-Line and X-Pro treatments diminished some of the SUV's personality, especially against the Midnight Lake Blue paint. Inside, the Telluride offered a luxurious experience with a black-over-Terracotta interior, simulated wood trim, metallic accents, and chevron-pattern Nappa leather. The dual-screen display on the dashboard added a technologically advanced feel, and the presence of buttons and knobs made it user-friendly. However, the quality of plastic in the lower cabin areas revealed cost-cutting measures. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Telluride managed to stand out in a crowded SUV market.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 retained its powertrain options, featuring a standard 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The top trim boasted a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada allowed for torque distribution to the rear wheels, enhancing fuel economy. The GV80 offered various driving modes, including Snow and Eco, catering to different driving conditions. Acceleration with the larger engine was satisfying, and the adaptive suspension in Sport mode provided a slightly sportier feel. The brakes were firm and linear, ensuring confident stops even on rough roads.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with power delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Telluride offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart, with the latter adjusting to driver behaviour. While some competitors switched to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the Telluride's V6 remained smooth and refined, providing ample acceleration. It achieved a fuel economy of 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres over a long road trip, aligning with the Natural Resources Canada rating. The X-Pro trim's all-terrain tires excelled on rough roads, but the brake pedal behaviour in traffic was occasionally sticky. Overall, the Telluride delivered a pleasurable driving experience, with its off-roading capabilities adding to its appeal.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 came well-equipped with features like power-adjustable heated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The top trim added four-zone climate control and ventilated front and second-row seats. However, the seats were uncomfortably rigid, making long trips less enjoyable. The power-adjustable second row offered ample legroom, but the third row, available in the Prestige trim, was best suited for children due to limited legroom. Cargo space was expected to be similar to the 2024 model's 990 litres, and the GV80 could tow up to 2,720 kilograms.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The second row featured reclining captain's chairs, ample legroom, and a rear climate control zone. The third-row seat, when folded flat, provided 601 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,304 litres with the third row down and 2,455 litres with the second row flattened. The Telluride's cargo space was not class-leading, but it offered sufficient room for most needs. The interior also featured numerous storage solutions, USB-C charging ports, and smartphone storage sleeves, enhancing its practicality.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 featured a 27-inch OLED screen housing a digital gauge cluster and infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, although they were late-availability features. The infotainment system's menus could be cumbersome, but a programmable favourite button offered a workaround. Standard technology included wireless charging and four USB-C ports, while the top trim added a 12-inch head-up display. The 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system provided sophisticated sound quality, surpassing previous setups.

The 2025 Kia Telluride, except for the base EX trim, featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on higher trims. The head-up display and Blind Spot View Monitor enhanced safety, but the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback. The data port was USB-A, limiting connectivity options. Despite these limitations, the Telluride's Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality, and the SiriusXM satellite radio subscription provided entertainment during road trips.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids, including lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring. Upper trims added features like remote smart parking and a 360-degree camera system. The Highway Drive Assist II system, with an attention monitor, worked well, although it struggled with certain sunglasses. The GV80 had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS for 2025, but the 2024 model received high safety ratings.

The 2025 Kia Telluride came standard with a range of safety features, including forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assist. Highway Driving Assist was standard across all trims, with higher trims adding lane-change assist. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. While the lane-centring assist system was occasionally problematic, the Telluride's safety features provided peace of mind.