Why Drivers Are Choosing the 2025 Telluride Over the 2025 Ford Explorer

The Kia Telluride has been wildly successful since its introduction for the 2020 model year. While there’s certainly no shortage of competitors in the three-row midsize crossover SUV segment, the Telluride has earned accolades from drivers and experts alike year after year. Plenty of savvy shoppers have been searching for a Kia Telluride for sale thanks to the overall value it provides. With a design that ensures comfort for all three rows of passengers and a range of capabilities and features that appeal to a full range of drivers, the Kia Telluride is a confident, comfortable vehicle.

But what about the Ford Explorer? After a few nervous years of no changes, Ford announced that the 2025 Ford Explorer would receive a midcycle refresh, a slight makeover to hold it over until the next generation is released. Drivers are wondering now how the 2025 Kia Telluride stacks up next to the new Explorer, and while every driver has their own preferences, we can’t help but give the nod to the Kia. Take a look at why so many drivers are choosing the 2025 Kia Telluride over the 2025 Ford Explorer.

Passenger Comfort

If you’ve been shopping for a three-row SUV for a while, you’ve probably discovered that there are two basic types: the kind with a usable third row and the kind that has a cramped afterthought of a third row.

The 2025 Kia Telluride is an example of the first. Drivers have the choice between several eight-passenger or seven-passenger trims, depending on how many seats they need. The LX, EX, and SX trims are all available with seating for eight, while the remaining trims have seating for seven. The EX and SX trims also offer an optional seven-passenger configuration. The choice is yours.

The seating in the Telluride is "stadium-style," which means the rear seats sit a bit higher than the front seats for a comfortable ride, even for passengers in the rear 60/40 split bench. Then there’s the matter of the number of seats. None of the 2025 Explorer trims have seating for eight passengers. The ST-Line trim includes standard seating for seven with a second-row bench seat, but drivers who select the Active, ST, or Platinum trims can have standard six-passenger seating. Third-row seating in all 2025 Explorers is a two-passenger 50/50 split-fold bench seat.

Cargo and Versatility

But perhaps you’re less concerned with filing the seats with passengers than you are about having cargo space. If taking all of your equipment wherever you roam is important to you, the 2025 Kia Telluride is an excellent choice.

With all three rows of seats occupied, the Telluride provides 21 cu.ft. of cargo space. Comparatively speaking, the Kia K5 midsize sedan has 15.6 cu.ft. of cargo space, which helps put into perspective how roomy the Telluride is. To put that further into perspective, the 2025 Explorer has just 16.3 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the third row when all of its seats are occupied.

Impressively, both the Telluride and the Explorer offer 46 cu.ft. of cargo space once the second row of seating is stowed, but a fully empty Telluride is again more accommodating than the Explorer. The total cargo volume behind the first row of the Telluride is 87 cu.ft., while the Explorer stops at 85.8 cu.ft.

When it comes to towing, both the 2025 Telluride and the 2025 Explorer are capable of pulling loads up to 5,000 lbs in their standard configurations. However, the Telluride X-Pro trims can accommodate loads up to 5,500 lbs. Put quite simply, if you are interested in having a vehicle that can safely handle a significant amount of stuff, the Kia Telluride is an easy choice with its greater cargo space and a higher towing limit.

More Options for More Drivers

The Kia Telluride not only has the most spacious interior and more capability, but it also has the greatest number of trim options for drivers who need their vehicle to do a certain job.

The 2025 Telluride lineup includes 10 total trims: LX, S, EX, SX, EX X-Line, EX X-Pro, SX X-Line, SX Prestige, SX Prestige X-Line, SX Prestige X-Pro.  That may look like a lot of the letter "X" at first, but it’s actually pretty easy to tell the difference between the trims. The LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims are the standard lineup, and with the exception of the LX trim, are offered with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The Telluride LX is offered as a front-wheel drive model only.

The X-Line and X-Pro trims indicate the level of capability these vehicles have. The X-Line options are ready for action on or off the road with standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, self-leveling rear suspension, and increased ground clearance. The Telluride X-Pro lineup not only offers greater towing capacity but also builds on the added ground clearance of the X-Line with more rugged features like standard 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires.

Those who are interested in a 2025 Ford Explorer are limited to just four trims: Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST. In a somewhat ironic twist, Ford discontinued the off-road-capable Timberline trim from the Explorer lineup for 2025. Instead, Ford offers the performance-driven Explorer ST. Powered by a 3.0L EcoBoost engine, this rear-wheel drive vehicle commands an impressive 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. While this obviously results in a thrilling ride, it’s no replacement for a vehicle that can safely navigate you through mud, sand, and grit to a camping site or confidently tow a 5,500 lb load.  

Drivers who want an SUV that looks as though it is performance-oriented but isn’t can choose the ST-Line trim, while the Active and Platinum trims represent the most and least budget-friendly options in the lineup. Thankfully, Ford provides the Explorer with a variety of optional packages that help make the limited trim options more accommodating to a bigger crowd. But not too big—it’s only a seven-seater, after all.

The 2025 Kia Telluride: King of Comfort and Capability

The 2025 Ford Explorer is a fine vehicle. However, if you are looking for seating for eight passengers with an emphasis on third-row passenger comfort, greater overall cargo capability, higher towing capacity, and the option to explore the road less traveled, the 2025 Kia Telluride is far more accommodating.

For most drivers, a new SUV is a big investment. Whether you’re interested in flexible cargo space or want a road trip vehicle that’s comfortable for the entire family, the 2025 Telluride offers a cabin that can be configured the way you need it. Furthermore, while both models offer all-wheel drive options, only the Telluride offers the X-Line with its light off-road capability and the X-Pro with its adventurous spirit and higher towing capacity.

While the 2025 Explorer has plenty of impressive standard features, many drivers find it difficult to compromise when it comes to capability. If you need a vehicle that can do more than most in its class, consider the 2025 Kia Telluride. The team here at H+H Kia of Omaha will be happy to show you every trim and feature of this SUV in person when you visit us!