Compare the2025 Kia TellurideVS 2024 Cadillac XT6

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

Safety

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Both the Telluride and XT6 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 XT6’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.

With its standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, the Kia Telluride is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Cadillac XT6, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Telluride	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-23 MPH	-23 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-7 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
37 MPH Brights	-36 MPH	-13 MPH
37 MPH Low beams	-32 MPH	-10 MPH

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Telluride’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT6 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Telluride and XT6 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 XT6’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The Telluride’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Telluride and the XT6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Telluride is much safer than the XT6:

	Telluride	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	POOR

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 Kia Telluride is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

	Telluride	XT6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	41	98
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	93 lbs.	117 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	180
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	640 lbs.	666 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 much safer than the XT6:

	Telluride	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	357 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	.75 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	223 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	70	170
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	-67 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.61 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.46 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	491 lbs.	692 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 XT6 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

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 XT6’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Telluride 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Cadillac covers the XT6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the XT6 ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 38 percent more Kia dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Telluride’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Telluride has a standard 800-amp battery. The XT6’s 730-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

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 Cadillac 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, Cadillac is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 6 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

The Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6 produces 56 more horsepower (291 vs. 235) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Telluride FWD gets better fuel mileage than the XT6 3.6 DOHC V6 FWD (20 city/26 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Telluride uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT6 with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, 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 XT6. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Telluride’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT6:

	Telluride	XT6
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.6 inches

The Telluride stops much shorter than the XT6:

	Telluride	XT6
70 to 0 MPH	162 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Telluride has larger tires than the XT6 (245/60R18 vs. 235/55R20).

The Telluride LX/X-Pro’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT6’s standard 65 series tires.

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 XT6 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Telluride’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the XT6 (114.2 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Telluride is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the XT6.

For greater off-road capability the Telluride has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (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 XT6 (8.4 vs. 6.7 inches).

Chassis

The Kia Telluride may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Cadillac XT6.

Passenger Space

The Telluride has standard seating for 8 passengers; the XT6 can only carry 7.

The Telluride has 5.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT6 (155 vs. 149.9).

The Telluride has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 8.8 inches more front hip room, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room, 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room, .9 inches more third row headroom, 1.9 inches more third row legroom, 4.2 inches more third row hip room and 1.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Telluride’s middle and third row seats recline. The XT6’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Telluride’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT6.

	Telluride	XT6
Behind Third Seat	21 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	46 cubic feet	43.1 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	87 cubic feet	78.7 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Telluride easier. The Telluride’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the XT6’s liftover is 33 inches.

The Telluride’s cargo area is larger than the XT6’s in every dimension:

	Telluride	XT6
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.4”/49.8”/83.8”	15.5”/48”/80.2”
Max Width	54.4”	50”
Min Width	43.5”	43”
Height	34.5”	32.5”

Towing

The Telluride’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (5000 vs. 1000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Telluride’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT6’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

Consumer Reports rated the Telluride’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the XT6’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Telluride’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XT6’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Telluride to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT6 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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 XT6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Telluride SX Prestige has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Telluride owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Telluride will cost $325 to $3190 less than the XT6 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 XT6 only retains 49.6% to 50.95%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Telluride is less expensive to operate than the XT6 because it costs $10 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Telluride than the XT6, including $13 less for a water pump, $242 less for a muffler, $42 less for fuel injection and $88 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Kia Telluride will be $7500 to $14712 less than for the Cadillac XT6.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Telluride and the Cadillac XT6, 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 XT6 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 XT6 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 XT6 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 XT6 has never been chosen.

The Kia Telluride outsold the Cadillac XT6 by almost six to one during 2023.

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