The Kia lineup comprises a number of different models, including sedans and a wide range of SUVs. Two standout options are the Kia Sorento and the Telluride, particularly if you have a big family and you’re interested in a three-row SUV. Before you go looking for a Kia Sorento for sale, however, it’s probably a good idea to take a moment, look at these two models, and see what they each have to offer.
They’re both three-row SUVs, which means either one works well if you have more than five people you need to regularly bring along with you. That being said, there are some major differences between them, especially when it comes to the kinds of engines you can get and how much room they have inside. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these models has to offer, and it’ll be easier to decide which one is right for you.
Power and Fuel Efficiency
The kind of engines you can get in your SUV is one of the biggest distinctions between the 2025 Kia Sorento and Telluride, not only in terms of their performance but regarding what’s available. If you like to keep things simple, then the Telluride is the way to go, while the Sorento is a better pick if you prefer to have a lot of options available to you. Starting with the Telluride, there’s a single engine on offer: a 3.8L V6 that provides 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), so you have a bit of freedom, but overall, it’s a great standard engine that works well for a large SUV like this.
Things are very different with the Sorento, however, where Kia provides four different engine options to choose from. For starters, the standard engine is a 2.5L I-4 that provides 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic. You can see this isn’t as powerful as what the Telluride comes with, so it’s probably a good thing that there are more options available if you want a more invigorating ride. There’s a 2.5L turbocharged engine that delivers 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, which is a better option if you want something fun to drive and feels great on the road. Both of these engines have FWD and AWD available.
If you’re looking for excellent fuel efficiency, there’s a 1.6L hybrid I-4 setup available that provides 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The beauty of this powertrain is that it gets an estimated 36 MPG combined, whereas the Sorento’s standard engine gets an estimated 26 MPG combined, and the Telluride gets just 22 MPG combined. The Sorento’s fourth option is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that provides 261 hp and an estimated 30 miles of all-electric range. This is a terrific choice if you want to experience electric performance without going all-in on an EV. Ultimately, having all of these engines gives the Sorento an advantage if you like these sorts of options, while the simple strength of the Telluride is hard to argue with.
Passenger and Cargo Space
Although these are both three-row SUVs and comparable in overall size, that doesn’t mean they’re exactly the same inside. There are actually some notable differences between them when it comes to the kind of room you get within their respective cabins. The most important thing is to understand how much space you need inside your vehicle before you dig into these two SUVs—otherwise, this information won’t be too helpful. Note that while these are both three-row models, the Sorento has seating for either six or seven passengers, depending on your layout, while the Telluride gives you seats for seven or eight passengers. That might be enough to make one of these models better for you than the other.
Looking at the 2025 Kia Sorento, in terms of overall size, it’s about 67 inches tall, 75 inches wide, and 190 inches in length. Inside, you get about 40 inches of headroom up front, 40 inches in the second row, and almost 37 inches of headroom in the back. There’s about 41 inches of legroom in the front and second row, with closer to 30 inches of legroom in the third row—definitely better for kids in the back. You get a little over 12 cu.ft. of cargo space in the back, up to 45 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the second row, and more than 75 cu.ft. of total cargo space behind the front seats that you can play with when loading up stuff you need.
By comparison, the Kia Telluride measures closer to 70 inches in height, more than 78 inches in width, and nearly 197 inches in total length—notably larger than the Sorento. You get about 40 inches of headroom in the front and second row, with 38 inches of headroom in the third row. The Telluride gives you 41 inches of legroom up front, about 42 inches of legroom in the second row, and more than 31 inches in the third row—a bit more space for your passengers in the back but not a huge margin. For the stuff you’ll take along with you, the Telluride offers 21 cu.ft. of rear cargo space, 46 cu.ft. behind the second row, and 87 cu.ft. of total cargo room—again, significantly more than the Sorento across the board.
Comfort and Tech Features
When it comes to what you get inside your vehicle, Kia offers comparable features on these two SUVs. They both come with a Smart Key and Push-Button Start, with a Digital Key 2.0 system available on higher trims; air conditioning is standard, with dual-zone climate control provided on all but the starting trim of the Sorento, whereas every Telluride comes with dual-zone auto climate control. Both models have impressive comfort features available like 10-way power-adjustable front seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seating; your choice of trim level impacts most of these options. A 12.3-inch infotainment display and four-inch instrument screen are standard in both models, with a 12.3-inch instrument display available along with enhanced sound systems.
Driver Assistance Features
As you might expect, both of these Kia SUVs come with impressive standard safety tech and have even more options available. Both have Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, a Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist standard. You’ll also get a Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and a Driver Attention Warning. Advanced features like Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, a Surround View Monitor, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor are available on higher trims for the Sorento and Telluride but are not standard. Both of these vehicles have impressive standard safety tech and five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is what I look for in a family SUV like this.
Which Three-Row Kia SUV Is Right for You?
At this point, one thing should be pretty clear: the answer to this question depends entirely on what you need from your next vehicle. Key elements to consider are that you get more (and more diverse) engine options with the Sorento, though the Telluride has a better standard engine; both models have a wide range of comfort and tech features inside; and the Telluride gives you a larger interior and the potential for more passengers. If you need to have seven people along with you, then you should go with the Telluride; if you want a hybrid engine with excellent fuel efficiency, then the Sorento is the way to go. Ultimately, these are both lovely models with a lot to offer; the right one simply depends on what you require in your next three-row SUV.
