Compare the2023 Ford ExpeditionVS 2022 Kia Telluride

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The middle row seatbelts optional on the Expedition inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Telluride doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Expedition offers optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Telluride doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Expedition 4x4’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Telluride doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Expedition and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Ford Expedition weighs 928 to 1511 pounds more than the Kia Telluride. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Expedition is safer than the Kia Telluride:

	Expedition	Telluride
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	165	281
Leg Forces (l/r)	23/39 lbs.	164/998 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	326	378
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	36%
Neck Compression	74 lbs.	91 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	271/178 lbs.	351/369 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Expedition is safer than the Kia Telluride:

	Expedition	Telluride
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	23	41
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
Hip Force	180 lbs.	440 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	61	137
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	434 lbs.	449 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	134	450
Spine Acceleration	47 G’s	52 G’s
Hip Force	569 lbs.	640 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Expedition’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Telluride runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Expedition’s warranty.

Reliability

The Expedition has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Telluride doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

Engine

The Expedition’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 89 more horsepower (380 vs. 291) and 208 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The Expedition Limited/KR/Platinum’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 109 more horsepower (400 vs. 291) and 218 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The Expedition Timberline/Stealth Performance’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 149 more horsepower (440 vs. 291) and 248 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Expedition (base engine) is faster than the Kia Telluride:

	Expedition	Telluride
Zero to 30 MPH	2.2 sec	2.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.2 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	10.7 sec	11.5 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.3 sec	3.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.4 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Expedition’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Telluride doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Expedition has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride (23.2 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Expedition has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Telluride doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Expedition, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Telluride.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Expedition’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Telluride:

	Expedition	Telluride
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12 inches

The Expedition’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Telluride are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Expedition has larger standard tires than the Telluride (265/70R18 vs. 245/60R18). The Expedition’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (285/45R22 vs. 245/60R18).

The Expedition’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Telluride S/SX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Expedition offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Telluride’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Ford Expedition’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Telluride only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Expedition has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Telluride; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Expedition offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Telluride’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Expedition’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Telluride doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition’s wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer than on the Telluride (122.5 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Expedition XLT 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Telluride SX 4x4 (27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Expedition has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride (9.8 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Expedition to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 2.6 inches higher than on the Telluride (10.6 vs. 8 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Expedition uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Telluride doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Expedition Timberline/Limited/King Ranch/Platinum uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Telluride doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Expedition has 16.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Telluride (171.9 vs. 155).

The Expedition has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 4.6 inches more rear hip room, 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.7 inches more third row legroom, 7.7 inches more third row hip room and 8.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Telluride.

Cargo Capacity

The Expedition’s cargo area provides more volume than the Telluride.

	Expedition	Telluride
Third Seat Folded	57.5 cubic feet	46 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	104.6 cubic feet	87 cubic feet

The Expedition’s cargo area is larger than the Telluride’s in almost every dimension:

	Expedition	Telluride
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	18.8”/49.4”/85.8”	20.4”/49.8”/83.8”
Max Width	58.4”	54.4”
Min Width	51.2”	43.5”
Height	36.9”	34.5”

Both the Expedition and the Telluride offer second row automatic folding seats. The Expedition’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a button. The Telluride doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

The Expedition’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Telluride’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Towing

The Expedition’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Telluride’s (6000 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Telluride is only 5000 pounds. The Expedition offers up to a 9300 lbs. towing capacity.

The Expedition 4x4 with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Expedition can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Telluride can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Expedition is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Telluride. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Expedition’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Telluride does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the Expedition’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Telluride can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Expedition’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Telluride doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Expedition’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Telluride’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Expedition’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Telluride’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Expedition XLT/Limited/Timberline/King Ranch/Platinum’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Telluride offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Expedition Platinum has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Telluride.

The Expedition (except STX)’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Telluride doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Expedition is less expensive to operate than the Telluride because it costs $145 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Expedition than the Telluride, including $318 less for a water pump, $250 less for a muffler, $97 less for front brake pads, $200 less for a starter, $245 less for fuel injection, $218 less for a fuel pump, $89 less for front struts, $249 less for a timing belt/chain and $402 less for a power steering pump.