Compare the2025 Kia TellurideVS 2025 Mazda CX-90

Both the Telluride and CX-90 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 CX-90’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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Telluride has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the Telluride and the CX-90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 CX-90’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Telluride 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-90 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 45 percent more Kia dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Telluride’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Telluride third among upper midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The CX-90 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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 69 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

The Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6 produces 11 more horsepower (291 vs. 280) than the CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Telluride uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-90 PHEV requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Telluride’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-90:

The Telluride stops much shorter than the CX-90:

The Telluride has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Telluride SX 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the CX-90 Premium Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Telluride X-Line has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S (8.4 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Telluride to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Kia Telluride may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 800 pounds less than the Mazda CX-90.

The Telluride is 3.9 inches shorter than the CX-90, making the Telluride easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Telluride SX 4x4 is quieter than the CX-90 Premium Plus:

The Telluride has 13.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-90 (155 vs. 141.6).

The Telluride has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear legroom, 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.2 inches more third row headroom, 1 inch more third row legroom and 2 inches more third row shoulder room than the CX-90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Telluride’s middle and third row seats recline. The CX-90’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Telluride’s cargo area provides more volume than the CX-90.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Telluride’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CX-90 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Telluride. The CX-90 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Telluride’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-90’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Telluride’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-90’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Telluride is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2023 issue and they ranked the Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line 4x4 three places higher than the Mazda CX-90 Premium Plus.

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 CX-90 isn’t in the top three.

The Telluride was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 4 more times in the last 5 years. The CX-90 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 CX-90 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 CX-90 has never been chosen.

The Kia Telluride outsold the Mazda CX-90 by almost four to one during 2023.