Compare the2026 Buick EnclaveVS 2027 Kia Telluride

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Buick Enclave achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Kia Telluride has not been tested.

Both the Enclave and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

The Buick Enclave achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2026 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, pedestrian crash prevention testing, and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention testing. The Telluride has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 2 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (328 vs. 274) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 311) than the Telluride’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Enclave gets better mileage than the Telluride:

The Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 19 gallons).

The Enclave 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.

The Enclave stops much shorter than the Telluride:

For better traction, the Enclave has larger standard tires than the Telluride (255/55R20 vs. 235/65R18). The Enclave’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (275/45R22 vs. 265/45R21).

The Enclave’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Telluride LX/EX Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Enclave has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Telluride X-Pro. The Enclave’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Telluride X-Line.

The Buick Enclave’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 Enclave offers an available 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 Enclave’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the Telluride (120.9 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

The Enclave Avenir AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Telluride SX Prestige pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Enclave 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.

The Enclave has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear shoulder room, .9 inches more third row headroom and 2.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Telluride.

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

While the Telluride Hybrid can only tow 4000, any Enclave can tow a minimum of 5000 pounds.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 38% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

The Enclave’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.

The Enclave’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 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 doors.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Enclave Avenir has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Telluride doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Enclave’s standard 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 Buick Enclave has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Telluride EX/SX/Prestige.

The Enclave has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Telluride.