Compare the2025 Kia TellurideVS 2025 Infiniti QX60

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Telluride and QX60 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Telluride has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The QX60’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Telluride’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX60 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Telluride and QX60 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Telluride has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The QX60’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Telluride and the QX60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

	Telluride	QX60
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	31%
Neck Stress	275 lbs.	348 lbs.
Neck Compression	32 lbs.	53 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36%	45.1%
Neck Stress	131 lbs.	216 lbs.
Neck Compression	91 lbs.	93 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, results indicate that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

	Telluride	QX60
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	41	84
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	93 lbs.	138 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	449 lbs.	461 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Telluride is safer than the QX60:

	Telluride	QX60
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	68	125
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	22 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	.63 in
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1026 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Neck Compression	-67 lbs.	67 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	491 lbs.	580 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Kia Telluride has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The QX60 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024, though it hasn’t yet been rated in the updated moderate overlap frontal test, a requirement for the “Top Safety Pick Plus” award.

Warranty

The Telluride comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The QX60’s 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Telluride 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Infiniti covers the QX60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the QX60 ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

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

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Telluride’s reliability 24 points higher than the QX60.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Telluride third among upper midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The QX60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is ranked 14th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Infiniti is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 3 places higher in reliability than Infiniti.

Engine

The Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6 produces 23 more horsepower (291 vs. 268) than the QX60’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Telluride uses regular unleaded gasoline. The QX60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Telluride has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the QX60. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Telluride higher (6 out of 10) than the Infiniti QX60 (5). This means the Telluride produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the QX60 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Telluride stops much shorter than the QX60:

	Telluride	QX60
70 to 0 MPH	162 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	150 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The Telluride has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The QX60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Telluride SX 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the QX60 Sensory AWD (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Telluride has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the QX60 (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Telluride to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Telluride X-Line’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the QX60 (8.4 vs. 6.7 inches).

Chassis

The Kia Telluride may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Infiniti QX60.

Passenger Space

The Telluride has standard seating for 8 passengers; the QX60 can only carry 7.

The Telluride has 14.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX60 (155 vs. 140.6).

The Telluride has .1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear headroom, 4.7 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room, 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.4 inches more third row headroom and 3.4 inches more third row legroom than the QX60.

Cargo Capacity

The Telluride’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX60.

	Telluride	QX60
Behind Third Seat	21 cubic feet	14.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	46 cubic feet	41.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	87 cubic feet	75.4 cubic feet

Towing

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the Telluride, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the QX60.

Ergonomics

Consumer Reports rated the Telluride’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the QX60’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Telluride EX/SX has standard front air conditioned seats and the Telluride SX Prestige also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The QX60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Telluride owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Telluride will cost $1520 less than the QX60 over a five-year period.

The Telluride will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Telluride will retain 57.67% to 58.24% of its original price after five years, while the QX60 only retains 47.06% to 47.83%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Kia Telluride will be $13162 to $13930 less than for the Infiniti QX60.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Telluride and the Infiniti QX60, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Telluride second among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The QX60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Telluride was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 4 more times in the last 5 years. The QX60 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the Telluride as their 2020 Sport Utility of the Year. The QX60 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Telluride as the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The QX60 has never been chosen.

The Kia Telluride outsold the Infiniti QX60 by almost four to one during 2023.