2025 Kia Telluride vs 2026 GMC Acadia

$36,390 · Crossover

$43,700 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the brand-new 2026 GMC Acadia? It often comes down to budget versus slightly more capability. The Telluride offers fantastic value, starting at an MSRP of just $36,390 compared to the Acadia's higher entry point of $43,700. While both use regular unleaded fuel, the Telluride provides 291 hp, falling short of the Acadia's robust 328 hp, which translates to better potential highway passing power for the GMC. Fuel economy is neck-and-neck, with both achieving 20 MPG in the city, though the Acadia edges out slightly with 23 combined MPG versus the Telluride's 22. Furthermore, the Acadia boasts a larger footprint (204.0 inches long) and offers 23 cu ft of cargo space, slightly more than the Telluride's 21 cu ft, making size a key consideration.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Telluride

The lower starting MSRP of $36,390 for the Telluride makes it the more financially sensible choice for the daily commuter.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 GMC Acadia

The 2026 Acadia offers a larger physical presence, being 204.0 inches long and providing 23 cu ft of cargo capacity for extra gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 GMC Acadia

The Acadia provides significantly more output with 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque compared to the Telluride's 291 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Telluride

The Telluride saves buyers $7,310 upfront while still delivering competitive specifications across the board.

Choose the Kia Telluride if...

Your budget is firm, as the Telluride undercuts the Acadia's MSRP by $7,310.
You prioritize standard engine reliability over higher output, as the 291 hp engine is proven.
You don't need the absolute maximum cargo area, being content with 21 cu ft.

Choose the GMC Acadia if...

You frequently haul larger items and need the 23 cu ft of cargo space the Acadia offers.
You want the extra muscle provided by 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer a larger vehicle, evidenced by the Acadia's 71.0-inch height and 204.0-inch length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Telluride	GMC Acadia
Length	196.9"	204.0"
Width	78.3"	79.6"
Height	68.9"	71.0"
Wheelbase	114.2"	120.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	GMC
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	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	GMC
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	328 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm	326 lb-ft @ 3500 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	GMC
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Kia	GMC
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	376.0/488.8 mi.	0/0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 gal.	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	GMC
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	✓	✓
Front View Camera	—	✓
Side View Camera	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Sun Sensor	—	✓
Digital Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	GMC
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	15.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	12
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Bose
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	GMC
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	GMC
Front Head Room	40.9 in.	42.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.6 in.	62.0 in.
Front Hip Room	58.9 in.	59.2 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	GMC
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	41.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	62.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.0 in.	58.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	GMC
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P245/60R18	255/65R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	GMC
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.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2026 GMC Acadia.

Is the higher price of the 2026 GMC Acadia worth the extra horsepower?

That depends on your driving habits; the Acadia offers an extra 37 hp, reaching 328 hp, which is noticeable for spirited driving. However, if you stick to city driving, both models achieve 20 MPG, meaning you are paying $7,310 more primarily for power and slightly more space.

How much more space does the 2026 Acadia actually have compared to the Telluride?

The Acadia is physically larger overall, being about 7.1 inches longer. For cargo, it offers 23 cu ft behind the third row compared to the Telluride's 21 cu ft, a modest but helpful increase.

Which crossover is more economical to run daily?

They are extremely close since both require regular unleaded fuel and achieve 20 MPG city driving. The Acadia is technically slightly better on the highway (27 MPG vs. 26 MPG) and combined (23 MPG vs. 22 MPG).

Are there significant differences in how they drive regarding the transmission?

Both utilize an 8-speed automatic, but the Acadia specifies an 8-speed shiftable automatic, suggesting slightly more driver control options over gear selection compared to the Telluride's standard setup.

If I need the absolute lowest entry price, which vehicle wins?

The 2025 Kia Telluride wins easily in the entry price department with an MSRP of $36,390, significantly undercutting the 2026 GMC Acadia's $43,700 price tag.

Do either of these crossovers offer better capability if equipped with AWD?

Based on the provided specs, both vehicles are listed with standard Front Wheel Drive (FWD), so to assess AWD differences, you would need to check options packages not detailed here.