2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

$36,390 · Crossover

$49,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical separation between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is the MSRP difference of $12,860, positioning the Telluride substantially lower at $36,390 compared to the GLC-Class at $49,250. Performance data shows the Telluride produces more power with 291 hp versus the GLC's 255 hp, though the Mercedes counters with superior torque at 295 lb-ft compared to the Kia's 262 lb-ft. Fuel economy heavily favors the GLC-Class, achieving 27 MPG combined, significantly better than the Telluride's 22 MPG combined rating. Dimensional analysis reveals the Telluride is longer at 196.9 inches, while cargo capacity is nearly identical, with the GLC offering a slight advantage at 21.9 cu ft versus the Telluride's 21.0 cu ft. These metrics establish a clear trade-off between accessible pricing and efficiency/luxury refinement.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class wins for commuters due to its superior 27 MPG combined fuel economy versus the Telluride's 22 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride offers a more accommodating physical footprint for families, being significantly longer at 196.9 inches.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Enthusiasts will likely prefer the GLC-Class for its higher torque output of 295 lb-ft, despite the Telluride having more peak horsepower (291 hp).

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride provides substantially better value, indicated by its $12,860 lower MSRP compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.

Choose the Kia Telluride if...

Budgetary constraints are paramount, given the $12,860 lower starting MSRP of $36,390.
Maximum brute horsepower is desired, as the Telluride produces 291 hp compared to the GLC's 255 hp.
The vehicle must run on regular unleaded fuel, unlike the GLC-Class which mandates premium fuel.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class if...

Fuel efficiency is a priority, demonstrated by the GLC-Class achieving 27 MPG combined versus 22 MPG for the Telluride.
Higher low-end pulling power is needed, evidenced by the GLC-Class's 295 lb-ft of torque versus 262 lb-ft in the Kia.
A marginally larger cargo area of 21.9 cu ft is preferable to the Telluride’s 21.0 cu ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Telluride	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Length	196.9"	185.7"
Width	78.3"	74.4"
Height	68.9"	64.6"
Wheelbase	114.2"	113.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	—
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	24/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	376.0/488.8 mi.	417.6/556.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 gal.	17.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	11.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	5
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	6 months
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	40.9 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	40.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.6 in.	57.3 in.
Front Hip Room	58.9 in.	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	10-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	10-way
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	56.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.0 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P245/60R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Mercedes-Benz
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	6 yr./ 62000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.

What is the primary cost difference between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

The 2025 Kia Telluride has a starting MSRP of $36,390, creating a significant $12,860 gap when compared to the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class's $49,250 entry price.

Which crossover is more efficient in terms of fuel consumption?

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is demonstrably more efficient, achieving 27 MPG combined (24 city/32 highway) compared to the Kia Telluride's 22 MPG combined rating (20 city/26 highway).

How do the engine outputs compare between the two vehicles?

The Kia Telluride generates 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class produces less peak horsepower at 255 hp but offers higher torque at 295 lb-ft.

Does the fuel type requirement affect the long-term running costs?

Yes, the GLC-Class requires premium unleaded fuel, which is typically more expensive than the regular unleaded accepted by the Kia Telluride, potentially offsetting some of its MPG advantage.

Are the physical dimensions very different between these two crossovers?

The Kia Telluride is considerably longer at 196.9 inches compared to the GLC-Class at 185.7 inches, although both share nearly identical cargo capacities around 21 cubic feet.

What drivetrain differences should a buyer consider?

The base specification for the Telluride is front-wheel drive, whereas the base GLC-Class features a rear-wheel drive configuration, which impacts handling characteristics.