2025 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Kia Telluride bursts onto the scene with a punchy 291 horsepower, signaling its intent for spirited driving, while the larger 2026 Volkswagen Atlas counter-punches with superior low-end grunt, boasting 273 lb-ft of torque against the Telluride's 262 lb-ft. The Atlas benefits from its imposing size, measuring 200.7 inches long, providing substantial road presence compared to the Telluride's 196.9-inch frame. However, the Kia clinches a slight edge in fuel economy with a 22 combined MPG versus the Atlas’s 23 combined MPG (Note: The Atlas has slightly better highway MPG at 27 vs 26). The entry price difference is tangible; the Telluride starts at a compelling $36,390, undercutting the Atlas’s MSRP of $39,310. While the Telluride offers more peak power, the Atlas’s slightly higher torque output suggests a different flavor of responsiveness, making this a thrilling showdown between efficiency, raw power, and value in the three-row crossover segment.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas wins for commuters due to its marginally better combined fuel economy rating of 23 MPG.
2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride offers a $3,000 lower starting price, making it the more budget-conscious choice for growing families.
2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride edges out the competition with a higher peak output of 291 horsepower, promising more excitement at higher speeds.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride provides a lower entry point at $36,390 compared to the Atlas's $39,310 MSRP.
Choose the Kia Telluride if...
- You prioritize peak horsepower, as the Telluride delivers 291 hp versus the Atlas's 269 hp.
- Saving money upfront is critical, given the Telluride's $36,390 MSRP.
- You prefer the slightly more compact footprint with a length of 196.9 inches.
Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...
- You need a touch more pulling power, as the Atlas leads with 273 lb-ft of torque.
- Maximizing highway efficiency matters, thanks to its 27 MPG highway rating.
- You want the commanding road presence of the larger vehicle, measuring 200.7 inches long.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Telluride | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 196.9" | 200.7" |
| Width | 78.3" | 78.3" |
| Height | 68.9" | 70.4" |
| 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 | 20/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 376.0/488.8 mi. | 372.0/502.2 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 | — | ✓ |
| 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. | 41.3 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. | 40.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 37.6 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.2 in. | 60.5 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 58.0 in. | 58.6 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 2026 Volkswagen Atlas.
Which crossover has better acceleration potential based on the provided specs?
Based purely on peak figures, the 2025 Kia Telluride should feel quicker with its 291 horsepower output, beating the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas’s 269 horsepower rating. However, the Atlas’s higher torque figure (273 lb-ft vs. 262 lb-ft) suggests better low-speed pulling and initial responsiveness.
How significant is the fuel economy difference between the 2025 Telluride and the 2026 Atlas?
The difference is minor but favors the Atlas; it achieves 23 combined MPG compared to the Telluride's 22 combined MPG. Both vehicles share the same 20 MPG city rating, but the Atlas pulls ahead on the highway with 27 MPG versus the Telluride's 26 MPG.
Is there a significant price gap between these two FWD crossovers?
Yes, the pricing offers a tangible difference that favors the Kia. The 2025 Kia Telluride starts at $36,390, providing a $2,920 savings over the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, which begins at $39,310.
Which vehicle offers more internal room for cargo?
The 2025 Kia Telluride technically offers a fraction more storage space with 21 cubic feet behind the rear seats, edging out the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas's 20.6 cubic feet.
Are either of these crossovers powerful enough for towing or spirited driving?
Both offer solid power for family duty, with the Telluride leading in horsepower (291 hp). Since both utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission and are presented in FWD configurations, drivers seeking maximum performance feel will likely prefer the Kia's higher top-end power figure.
What is the primary difference in physical dimensions between the two models?
The 2026 Atlas is notably longer and taller than its competitor, stretching 200.7 inches in length and 70.4 inches in height, whereas the Telluride measures 196.9 inches long and 68.9 inches high; both share an identical width of 78.3 inches.
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