Compare the2025 Chevrolet TahoeVS 2025 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
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The Tahoe (except LS with front bench seat) has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Telluride doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Tahoe 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 and available all wheel drive.

The Chevrolet Tahoe weighs 1054 to 1748 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 Chevrolet Tahoe is safer than the Kia Telluride:

	Tahoe	Telluride
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	146	281
Neck Injury Risk	23%	27%
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	164/998 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	233	378
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	91 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 Chevrolet Tahoe is safer than the Kia Telluride:

	Tahoe	Telluride
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	41
Hip Force	118 lbs.	440 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	137
Spine Acceleration	24 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	248 lbs.	449 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches
HIC	239	450
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	52 G’s

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 Chevrolet Tahoe is safer than the Telluride:

	Tahoe	Telluride
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	17	68
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.31 in	.55 in
Shoulder Force	89 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.43 in	1.18 in
Torso Deflection Rate	3 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	290 lbs.	1026 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	22 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	.91 in	1.46 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	134 lbs.	491 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The Tahoe’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Telluride’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

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

Reliability

The Tahoe 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tahoe first among large suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Telluride was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked fourth.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

Engine

The Tahoe’s standard 5.3 V8 produces 64 more horsepower (355 vs. 291) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The Tahoe’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 129 more horsepower (420 vs. 291) and 198 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

The Tahoe’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 14 more horsepower (305 vs. 291) and 233 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Tahoe V8’s fuel efficiency. The Telluride doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Tahoe’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 Tahoe has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride (24 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Tahoe 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 Chevrolet Tahoe, 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 Tahoe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Telluride:

	Tahoe	Tahoe	Telluride
Front Rotors	13.5 inches	16.1 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.6 inches	12 inches

The Tahoe’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 Tahoe has larger standard tires than the Telluride (265/65R18 vs. 245/60R18). The Tahoe RST/High Country’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (285/40R24 vs. 245/60R18).

The Tahoe RST/High Country’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Telluride S/EX/SX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tahoe RST/High Country offers optional 24-inch wheels. The Telluride’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Chevrolet Tahoe’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 Tahoe has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Telluride doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Tahoe 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 Tahoe 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tahoe’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Telluride (120.9 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tahoe is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than on the Telluride.

The Tahoe’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the Telluride’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Tahoe more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Tahoe’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Telluride’s (37.8 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Tahoe Z71 Air Ride has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride X-Line (10 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the Tahoe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Tahoe 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.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Tahoe Z71 4x4 is quieter than the Telluride SX 4x4 (66 vs. 67 dB).

Passenger Space

The Tahoe offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Telluride can only carry 8.

The Tahoe has 13.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Telluride (168.3 vs. 155).

The Tahoe has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear hip room, 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room, .1 inches more third row headroom, 3.5 inches more third row legroom, 5.7 inches more third row hip room and 7.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Telluride.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Tahoe	Telluride
Behind Third Seat	25.5 cubic feet	21 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	72.5 cubic feet	46 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	122.7 cubic feet	87 cubic feet

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

	Tahoe	Telluride
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	24”/54”/89.5”	20.4”/49.8”/83.8”
Max Width	49.5”	54.4”
Min Width	49.5”	43.5”
Height	36.5”	34.5”

Both the Tahoe and the Telluride offer second row automatic folding seats. The Tahoe’s (not available on LS) optional third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The Telluride doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

Payload and Towing

The Tahoe’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Telluride’s (7700 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Telluride is only 5000 pounds. The Tahoe offers up to a 8400 lbs. towing capacity.

The Tahoe 4WD 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 Tahoe can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Telluride can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Tahoe has a higher standard payload capacity than the Telluride (1746 vs. 1662 lbs.).

The Tahoe has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Telluride (1834 vs. 1664 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Tahoe 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 Tahoe’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 Tahoe’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 Tahoe’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Telluride doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Tahoe’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Telluride doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Tahoe’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Telluride’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Tahoe’s optional rear and 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 Tahoe’s Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Telluride doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Tahoe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Tahoe will cost $125 to $2305 less than the Telluride over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tahoe is less expensive to operate than the Telluride because typical repairs cost much less on the Tahoe than the Telluride, including $53 less for front brake pads, $94 less for a starter, $18 less for fuel injection, $75 less for front struts and $755 less for a power steering pump.