2025 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Kia Telluride bursts onto the scene with a commanding 291 horsepower, offering a more traditional, muscular presence in the three-row segment, despite netting only 22 combined MPG. Conversely, the radically redesigned 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe leans into efficiency and torque, delivering a surprising 311 lb-ft from its engine while achieving a slightly better 24 combined MPG. The Telluride boasts superior passenger and hauling capability with its 196.9-inch length and 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, whereas the Santa Fe is notably more compact at 190.2 inches in length. While the Telluride starts at a higher $36,390 MSRP, the Santa Fe undercuts it significantly at $34,800. Both use regular unleaded fuel, but the Kia emphasizes raw power while the Hyundai prioritizes maximizing pulling capability and fuel economy figures.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe wins for commuters due to its slightly better 24 combined MPG rating compared to the Telluride's 22 MPG.
2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride is superior for families because its larger 196.9-inch frame provides significantly more usable space, including 21 cu ft of cargo capacity.
2025 Kia Telluride
Enthusiasts will favor the 2025 Kia Telluride for its higher peak output of 291 horsepower versus the Santa Fe's 277 hp.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers better inherent value by starting $1,590 lower on MSRP while providing higher torque (311 lb-ft vs 262 lb-ft).
Choose the Kia Telluride if...
- You need the maximum possible power, evidenced by its 291 horsepower engine.
- Your family requires the most cargo volume, as the Telluride offers 21 cu ft.
- You prefer the larger physical footprint, measuring 196.9 inches in length.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Maximizing fuel economy is critical, boasting 24 combined MPG.
- You prioritize low-end pulling strength with 311 lb-ft of torque.
- You are seeking a lower entry price, starting at $34,800 MSRP.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Telluride | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 196.9" | 190.2" |
| Width | 78.3" | 74.8" |
| Height | 68.9" | 67.7" |
| Wheelbase | 114.2" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 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 | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/26 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 376.0/488.8 mi. | 354.0/513.3 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 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 | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.9 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 44.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.6 in. | 59.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.9 in. | 56.5 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 | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.2 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 58.0 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Which vehicle offers better straight-line acceleration potential?
Based purely on peak output, the 2025 Kia Telluride holds the advantage with 291 horsepower compared to the 2026 Santa Fe's 277 horsepower. However, the Santa Fe’s superior 311 lb-ft of torque might give it a punchier feel off the line.
How significant is the difference in fuel economy between the two models?
The difference is modest but noticeable over time; the 2026 Santa Fe achieves 24 combined MPG, which is 2 MPG better than the Telluride's 22 combined MPG. This translates to better range on regular unleaded fuel.
Is the Telluride significantly larger than the new Santa Fe?
Yes, the Telluride is the physically larger vehicle in nearly every dimension listed. It is 6.7 inches longer (196.9 inches vs 190.2 inches) and slightly wider and taller, which directly impacts interior volume.
Which crossover provides a lower initial ownership cost?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is the more budget-friendly option, listing a base MSRP of $34,800. This is $1,590 less than the Kia Telluride's starting price of $36,390.
Does the choice between these two impact hauling torque?
Absolutely, the 2026 Santa Fe dominates in low-end grunt with 311 lb-ft of torque, a substantial increase over the Telluride's 262 lb-ft, suggesting better towing performance despite both being FWD base models.
What kind of transmissions do these models use?
Both vehicles utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission; however, the 2026 Santa Fe specifies a 'shiftable automatic,' potentially offering the driver more direct control than the standard 8-speed unit in the Telluride.
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