2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
Comparison Overview
The age-old question for crossover buyers is whether to prioritize sheer size and affordability or cutting-edge efficiency and technology. The 2025 Kia Telluride lands squarely on the budget-friendly, spacious side, starting at a competitive $36,390 and offering a substantial 291 horsepower from its V6 engine. Conversely, the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid enters with a significant $8,425 higher MSRP, starting at $44,815, but dramatically changes the running costs equation. While the Telluride nets a combined 22 MPG, the RAV4 PHV promises an exceptional 38 combined MPG plus an impressive 42 miles of electric-only range. Furthermore, the Telluride is the larger vehicle, measuring 196.9 inches long with 21 cu ft of cargo space, compared to the smaller, narrower RAV4 at 180.9 inches, highlighting the core trade-off between sheer presence and fuel economy.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
The RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid is the clear commuter winner due to its 42-mile electric range and superior 38 combined MPG versus the Telluride's 22 MPG.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride offers significantly more interior volume for passengers and cargo, boasting a larger overall length and width for family hauling comfort.
2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
Despite the Telluride's slightly higher torque rating, the RAV4 PHV offers 302 horsepower and standard All-Wheel Drive, suggesting a more engaging drive dynamic.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Telluride provides 291 hp and a much larger footprint for $8,425 less than the starting price of the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid.
Choose the Kia Telluride if...
- You need maximum space, as the Telluride is 16 inches longer than the RAV4.
- Sticking close to the $36,390 entry price is a top priority.
- You prefer the power delivery of a conventional 291 hp engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Choose the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid if...
- Your daily commute is under 42 miles, allowing frequent electric-only driving.
- Fuel savings are critical, as the RAV4 PHV achieves 38 combined MPG versus the Telluride's 22.
- You prioritize the traction and stability offered by standard All-Wheel Drive.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Telluride | Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 196.9" | 180.9" |
| Width | 78.3" | 73.0" |
| Height | 68.9" | 67.0" |
| Wheelbase | 114.2" | 105.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.8 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | plug-in hybrid |
| Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6000 rpm | 302 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5200 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 | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/26 MPG | 40/36 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 38 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 376.0/488.8 mi. | 580.0/522.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8 gal. | 14.5 gal. |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | — | 94 MPGe |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | — | 42 mi. |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | — | 36 |
| Charging Time (240V) | — | 4.5 hr. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | — | SAE J1772 |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.9 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.6 in. | 57.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.9 in. | 54.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 37.8 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.2 in. | 56.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 58.0 in. | 47.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 18 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P245/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 10 yr./ 150000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid.
How much money will I realistically save on gas by choosing the RAV4 Prime over the Telluride?
The difference is substantial: the Telluride returns 22 combined MPG while the RAV4 PHV nets 38 combined MPG. If you drive 15,000 miles annually, the RAV4 PHV will save you significant money over time, even factoring in charging costs.
Is the smaller size of the RAV4 a problem for families?
Yes, the Telluride is considerably larger; it measures 196.9 inches long compared to the RAV4's 180.9 inches. However, the RAV4 compensates somewhat with a larger stated cargo capacity of 33.5 cu ft versus the Telluride's 21 cu ft when comparing specific configuration points.
Do both vehicles use premium gasoline?
No, fortunately, both vehicles are compatible with regular unleaded fuel, making the running costs slightly less volatile, especially for the non-hybrid Telluride.
Which car is better for driving performance enthusiasts?
While the Telluride has high torque (262 lb-ft), the RAV4 PHV wins on peak power with 302 hp and comes standard with AWD, which generally appeals more to performance drivers looking for responsiveness.
What is the real cost difference between these two crossovers?
There is a significant upfront cost difference of $8,425, as the Telluride starts at $36,390 while the RAV4 PHV begins at $44,815.
How does the transmission affect the driving experience in each model?
The Telluride uses a traditional 8-speed automatic gearbox, favored by many for predictable shifts, while the RAV4 PHV utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission, often resulting in smoother, albeit sometimes less engaging, acceleration.
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