2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a tough call, as they both nail the large crossover segment. Buyers often struggle deciding between Kia's straightforward power and VW's cargo hauling prowess. The Telluride brings 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque to the table, making it slightly punchier than the Atlas Cross Sport's 269 hp, although the VW edges it out in torque delivery with 273 lb-ft. Fuel economy is nearly identical, with both achieving a combined 22-23 MPG; the Atlas Cross Sport manages 23 MPG combined versus the Telluride's 22 MPG. Priced at $36,390, the Telluride is slightly more affordable than the $37,190 Atlas Cross Sport. However, the most significant practical difference is cargo space: the Atlas Cross Sport offers a massive 40.3 cu ft compared to the Telluride’s 21 cu ft behind the rear seats, offering more utility for gear.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The slightly better combined fuel economy rating of 23 MPG edges out the Telluride's 22 MPG for daily fuel savings.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Atlas Cross Sport provides significantly more usable space with 40.3 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Telluride's 21 cu ft.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride offers higher peak horsepower at 291 hp, making it the more powerful choice overall.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride offers slightly more horsepower for a lower starting MSRP of $36,390.
Choose the Kia Telluride if...
- You prioritize raw power, as the Kia Telluride delivers 291 horsepower.
- You want the most affordable starting point at an MSRP of $36,390.
- You prefer a slightly taller ride height at 68.9 inches.
Choose the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport if...
- You frequently haul large items, benefiting from the 40.3 cu ft cargo capacity.
- You want marginally better efficiency, achieving 23 combined MPG.
- You prefer the slightly higher torque figure of 273 lb-ft for easier hauling.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Telluride | Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 196.9" | 195.6" |
| Width | 78.3" | 78.3" |
| Height | 68.9" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 114.2" | 117.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Cornering Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.8 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6000 rpm | 269 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm | 273 lb-ft @ 1600 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 | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/26 MPG | 20/26 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 376.0/488.8 mi. | 372.0/483.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8 gal. | 18.6 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.0 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 | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.9 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.6 in. | 61.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.9 in. | 58.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 37.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 40.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.2 in. | 60.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 58.0 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P245/60R18 | 245/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
Is there a big performance difference between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the Atlas Cross Sport?
The difference is subtle but measurable; the Telluride offers 291 horsepower, while the Atlas Cross Sport provides 269 horsepower. However, the VW counters this slightly with more torque, delivering 273 lb-ft versus the Kia's 262 lb-ft.
Which crossover is better for maximizing cargo space?
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is the clear winner for cargo hauling enthusiasts. It boasts an impressive 40.3 cu ft, more than double the Telluride's 21 cu ft available cargo space.
How do their fuel costs compare since they use regular unleaded gas?
Their efficiency is very close, with both delivering 20 MPG in the city. The Atlas Cross Sport has a slight edge overall, achieving 23 combined MPG compared to the Telluride's 22 combined MPG.
Are the physical sizes of these two SUVs very different?
They are nearly identical in footprint, with both sharing an 78.3-inch width. The Telluride is marginally longer at 196.9 inches versus the VW's 195.6 inches, but the height difference is more noticeable, with the Kia being 0.8 inches taller.
Does the lower MSRP of the Telluride represent better value?
Since the Kia Telluride starts at $36,390 and the VW Atlas Cross Sport starts at $37,190, the Kia is initially $800 cheaper while offering 22 more horsepower, suggesting strong value for power seekers.
What transmission differences should I look for between the two FWD models?
Both utilize an 8-speed automatic, but the Atlas Cross Sport specifically lists its unit as a shiftable automatic, offering the driver slightly more manual control over gear selection if desired.
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