2025 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Ford Escape
Comparison Overview
The primary numerical divergence between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2026 Ford Escape lies in fuel economy, where the Escape achieves a 30 combined MPG compared to the Telluride's 22 combined MPG, representing an 8 MPG advantage. This efficiency comes alongside a significant MSRP gap, with the Escape priced at $30,350 versus the Telluride's $36,390—a $6,040 saving. However, the Telluride counters with superior performance, delivering 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, substantially outclassing the Escape's 180 hp and 199 lb-ft. Dimensionally, the Telluride is notably larger at 196.9 inches long compared to the Escape's 180.1 inches. While the Telluride offers a more potent powertrain and passenger volume, the Escape maximizes utility with 37.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the Telluride's 21 cu ft, positioning these two crossovers toward different buyer priorities.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Ford Escape
The 2026 Ford Escape wins for commuters due to its superior 30 combined MPG rating versus the Telluride's 22 MPG.
2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride provides a larger footprint with 196.9 inches in length, suggesting better overall cabin accommodations for families.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Telluride offers a compelling performance edge with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, significantly exceeding the Escape’s power figures.
2026 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape provides a notable value proposition by saving the buyer $6,040 upfront while delivering better fuel economy.
Choose the Kia Telluride if...
- You require maximum engine output, evidenced by its 291 hp rating.
- You prioritize interior space derived from its larger 196.9-inch length and 78.3-inch width.
- You prefer the higher torque figure of 262 lb-ft for towing or hauling capabilities.
Choose the Ford Escape if...
- Fuel economy is paramount, given its 30 combined MPG versus 22 MPG for the Telluride.
- Budget constraints dictate a lower initial cost, with an MSRP of $30,350.
- Maximum available cargo volume is needed, as the Escape offers 37.5 cu ft compared to 21 cu ft.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Telluride | Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 196.9" | 180.1" |
| Width | 78.3" | 74.1" |
| Height | 68.9" | 66.0" |
| Wheelbase | 114.2" | 106.7" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.8 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6000 rpm | 180 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm | 199 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 12 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/26 MPG | 27/34 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 30 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 376.0/488.8 mi. | 399.6/503.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8 gal. | 14.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.9 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.6 in. | 57.6 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.9 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.2 in. | 56.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 58.0 in. | 53.3 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P245/60R18 | 225/65R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2026 Ford Escape.
What is the primary difference in powertrain performance between the 2025 Telluride and 2026 Escape?
The 2025 Kia Telluride is significantly more powerful, producing 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The 2026 Ford Escape offers substantially less output with 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, prioritizing efficiency over brute force.
How much more does the Telluride cost than the Escape, and is the price justified by its specs?
The Telluride has an MSRP of $36,390, which is $6,040 more than the Escape's $30,350. Buyers pay this premium for higher horsepower and a larger exterior body size, though the Escape is more fuel-efficient.
Which crossover offers superior efficiency for daily driving?
The 2026 Ford Escape is the clear winner for efficiency, achieving 30 combined MPG (27 city/34 highway). The 2025 Kia Telluride lags behind at only 22 combined MPG (20 city/26 highway).
Does the size difference between these crossovers affect cargo hauling capability?
Yes, despite being physically smaller overall, the 2026 Ford Escape manages to offer significantly more maximum cargo volume at 37.5 cu ft, compared to the Telluride's 21 cu ft in the rear.
Are there differences in the type of gasoline required for these FWD vehicles?
Both vehicles are compatible with regular unleaded fuel, meaning neither requires a premium fuel commitment from the owner.
How do the transmissions and primary drive types compare?
Both vehicles utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission and come standard in front-wheel drive configurations.
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