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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $49,662–$63,989 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2025 Kia Telluride SL is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 8.2/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.0/10, while Performance at 6.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 9.0/10. The Telluride SL nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. On safety, it scores 8.5/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.0/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $49,662–$63,989, 24 MPG, seating 8, the Kia Telluride SL sits in the premium tier of the suv category. Its value score of 8.7/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2025 Kia Telluride SL will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2025 Kia Telluride SL ranks #29 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 99% of the segment. Its 8.2/10 overall score is 0.8 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $49,662 starting price is about 38% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Kia Telluride SL scores 8.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 8.2 — and starts roughly $4,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (this review) | 8.2/10 | $49,662 | |
| 2024 | 8.3/10 | $48,217 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.1/10 | $46,770 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.1/10 | $45,323 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.0/10 | $43,876 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.0/10 | $42,430 | Read review → |
We rate the 2025 Kia Telluride SL's reliability 9.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 8.2/10 overall, ranking #29 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 99% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2025 Kia Telluride SL starts at $49,662 and ranges up to $63,989 across trims (MSRP when new). At 24 MPG, expect roughly $2,188/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.