2025 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Subaru Ascent

$36,390 · Crossover

$40,795 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant initial divergence between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2026 Subaru Ascent is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), where the Telluride starts at $36,390, presenting a $4,405 saving over the Ascent's $40,795 entry price. Performance metrics show the Telluride generates a dominant 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, substantially eclipsing the Ascent's 260 hp output, although the Ascent compensates with marginally higher torque at 277 lb-ft. Both vehicles achieve an identical 22 MPG combined rating on regular unleaded fuel. Dimensional analysis reveals the Telluride is 2.3 inches taller than the Ascent's 76.0-inch width but offers superior utility with 21 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Ascent's 17.8 cubic feet. The mechanical difference lies in the drivetrain: Telluride offers FWD standard, while the Ascent includes standard All-Wheel Drive.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Telluride

The Telluride offers a $4,405 lower entry price for similar 22 MPG combined efficiency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Telluride

The Telluride provides 3.2 cubic feet more standard cargo capacity (21 cu ft vs 17.8 cu ft) crucial for hauling family gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Telluride

The Telluride delivers substantially more power with 291 hp compared to the Ascent's 260 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Telluride

The Telluride offers 31 more horsepower and greater cargo volume while undercutting the Ascent's MSRP by over $4,400.

Choose the Kia Telluride if...

You prioritize maximum engine output, as the Telluride boasts 291 hp versus the Ascent's 260 hp.
Budget is a key factor, given the Telluride's MSRP is $4,405 less expensive than the Ascent.
You require maximum rear storage space, as the Telluride offers 21.0 cu ft versus 17.8 cu ft.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

Standard All-Wheel Drive capability is non-negotiable, as the Ascent includes this feature over the Telluride's standard FWD.
You prefer a slightly more torquey experience at 277 lb-ft, exceeding the Telluride's 262 lb-ft.
A taller vehicle profile is desired, as the Ascent stands 2.7 inches higher at 71.6 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Telluride	Subaru Ascent
Length	196.9"	196.8"
Width	78.3"	76.0"
Height	68.9"	71.6"
Wheelbase	114.2"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm	277 lb-ft @ 2000 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	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	376.0/488.8 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	11.6 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	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.9 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.6 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	58.9 in.	57.8 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	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.0 in.	57.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P245/60R18	245/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2026 Subaru Ascent.

Which crossover has better performance specifications?

The 2025 Kia Telluride is the stronger performer on paper, producing 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque from its engine. The 2026 Subaru Ascent produces less horsepower at 260 hp, although it edges out the Telluride slightly in torque output at 277 lb-ft.

How do their fuel economy and fuel requirements compare?

Both the Telluride and the Ascent are rated identically for fuel economy, achieving 22 MPG combined, with city/highway splits of 20/26 MPG. Both vehicles also specify the use of regular unleaded gasoline.

Is the Telluride significantly larger than the Ascent?

Dimensionally, they are very close in length, with the Telluride at 196.9 inches compared to the Ascent's 196.8 inches. However, the Ascent is 2.3 inches narrower (76.0 in vs 78.3 in) but 2.7 inches taller (71.6 in vs 68.9 in).

What is the primary drivetrain difference between these models?

The base configuration for the 2025 Kia Telluride is front-wheel drive (FWD), while the 2026 Subaru Ascent includes all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard equipment across its trims.

How does the cargo space compare for hauling luggage?

The Kia Telluride provides measurably more usable cargo space, offering 21.0 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Conversely, the Subaru Ascent offers 17.8 cubic feet, resulting in a difference of over 3 cubic feet in favor of the Telluride.

What dictates the $4,405 difference in starting price?

The primary driver for the price gap is likely the standard equipment; the Ascent includes AWD from the base level, whereas the Telluride starts in FWD, alongside the Ascent's later model year designation.