With similar MSRPs and refined cabin comforts, it’s only natural to compare the Kia Telluride vs. Subaru Ascent while scouting for your next family vehicle. Both models are adventurous three-row SUVs with similar dimensions and top safety ratings, but the similarities stop there. If a family-friendly sport-ute with standard AWD, a larger cockpit, more safety features, and the highest possible MPG are on your wish list, the 2025 Subaru Ascent is your ticket to happiness. Join the Quantrell Subaru team for a closer look at this 2025 Kia Telluride vs. Subaru Ascent rivalry, then test-drive your winning Ascent trim at our dealership.
Both SUVs carry seven or eight passengers and feature leather or synthetic leather upholstery, but the Subaru Ascent outshines its competitor with standard Trailer Stability Assist, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and a power liftgate in every trim, plus a higher ground clearance.
Although these 2025 SUVs are nearly identical in length and boast seven- or eight-passenger seating, Subaru engineers prioritized your comfort when designing the Ascent and its interior dimensions. Take the wheel of a 2025 Ascent, and you’ll enjoy 40.4 to 41.2 inches of front headroom plus 42.2 inches of front legroom, no matter which trim or cabin configuration you choose. The Kia Telluride is more cramped, forcing drivers into 39.5 inches of headroom in all but one trim and skimping with only 41.4 inches of front legroom, too. The Kia model does capture a small victory in middle-row leg space.
Both the 2025 Subaru Ascent and 2025 Kia Telluride equip all their lineups with one engine. With its 3.8-liter V-6, the Telluride generates more horsepower but less torque. Its base model is only available in front-wheel drive, and its ground clearance ranges from 8 to 8.4 inches. In comparison, the new Subaru Ascent for sale relies on a slightly more efficient 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the brand’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system for increased traction and control. Plus, its ground clearance is a helpful 8.7 inches to keep your undercarriage safe.
If your deciding factor between the Subaru Ascent vs. Kia Telluride is towing capacity, the Kia model has a higher maximum trailering cap of 5,500 pounds1 – but this spec is only available in the range-topping trim, which means you’ll need to pay a much higher price. Other Telluride trims and every Subaru Ascent variant sports a 5,000-pound towing capacity,1,2 so you can bring your camper to your favorite lakeside spot or pull a U-Haul full of boxes to a storage unit.
| Engine | 2.4L turbo SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Symmetrical AWD |
| Horsepower | 260 |
| Torque | 277 lb-ft |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs2 |
| EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Comb) |
|
| Exterior Length / Width / Height | 196.8 in |
| Body Width | 76 in |
| Height | 71.6 in |
| Passenger Seating | 7 or 8 |
| Climate Control | 3-zone |
| Standard Safety Features |
|
| Engine | 3.8L V-6 |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD |
| Horsepower | 291 |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs1 (5,500 lbs in top-spec trim only)1 |
| EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Comb) |
|
| Exterior Length / Width / Height | 196.9 in |
| Body Width | 78.3 in |
| Height | 68.9-70.5 in |
| Passenger Seating | 7 or 8 |
| Climate Control | 2-zone |
| Standard Safety Features |
|
The 2025 Kia Telluride offers a much longer list of trim levels, but discerning drivers know that this tactic only spreads out the vehicle’s features and forces drivers to spend more money to access the amenities they need. The new Subaru Ascent, however, is truly an SUV for the people: High-level cabin comforts are standard, even in its entry trim, to optimize every drive. Browse our Subaru Ascent lease deals to take home these interior benefits and more:
The Subaru Ascent interior prioritizes user-friendly design and reliability, regardless of which trim level you choose. The top-tier Touring and Onyx Edition Touring variants take comfort to new levels with ventilated front seats, Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery, and a Smart Auto-Dimming Rearview Compass Mirror with HomeLink®.
Meanwhile, the Kia Telluride lineup hasn’t quite joined the modern age: Its entry-level trim still features manually adjustable driver and passenger seats and doesn’t heat those seats, either. Here’s a snapshot of the most noteworthy standard Telluride cabin comforts:
To unlock basic comforts like a heated steering wheel, you’ll need to either move up to at least the fifth Telluride trim to get it as standard equipment or add it as an optional upgrade to the third or fourth trim. In comparison, the Subaru SUV gives you a heated steering wheel as a standard feature beginning with its third variant.
This discrepancy leads us to examine each model’s value for your money, and in nearly every category, the Subaru Ascent takes the cake. For example, the starting MSRP of the Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition Touring – its top-level trim – falls somewhere between the cost of a Kia Telluride SX X-Line and SX Prestige – numbers seven and eight in the 10-trim Telluride lineup – and it’s much closer to the former.
Now it’s time to close out this 2025 Kia Telluride vs. Subaru Ascent battle with a closer look at exterior paint options. Paint color is the first thing other drivers notice about your vehicle, and it’s your first chance to highlight your personality and make a great impression. The Telluride plays it safe with monochrome colors and a splash of green or blue, while the Subaru SUV delivers style and sophistication with a broader color palette.
| 2024 Subaru Ascent Colors | 2024 Kia Telluride Colors |
| Autumn Green Metallic | Everlasting Silver |
| Crystal Black Silica | Gravity Gray |
| Cosmic Blue Pearl | Dark Moss |
| Crimson Red Pearl | Ebony Black |
| Dark Mahogany Pearl | Midnight Lake Blue |
| Ice Silver Metallic | Dawning Red |
| Crystal White Pearl | Glacial White Pearl |
| Magnetite Gray Metallic | Jungle Green |
| Wolf Gray |
Are you ready to make your choice between the Subaru Ascent vs. Kia Telluride? If you’ve crowned the 2025 Ascent as your three-row SUV winner, just like we have, stop by our dealership today for a tour and test drive. The Quantrell Subaru team can answer any questions and then walk you through the steps to lease or finance your new Subaru Ascent.
Both the Subaru Ascent and the Kia Telluride can seat seven or eight passengers, depending on your chosen configuration. They both offer comparable passenger volume, too, providing over 150 cubic feet. First- and third-row legroom is better in the Subaru Ascent, while the Kia Telluride has more second-row legroom. You’ll also enjoy more front-row headroom in all Subaru Ascent trim levels than in comparable Kia Telluride models.
The 2025 Subaru Ascent is fitted with a 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder engine that churns out 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The 2025 Kia Telluride utilizes a 291-horsepower V-6 engine but generates less torque than the Subaru model. The first Kia trim level only comes in FWD, while every Subaru variant uses Symmetrical AWD for exceptional control.
The Ascent earns up to an EPA-estimated 20/26 MPG (City/Highway),3 with some models slightly dropping to 19/25 MPG (City/Highway).3 The Kia Telluride has identical MPG ratings to the maximum Subaru estimate if you opt for FWD.4 However, it comes up short when you add AWD to the Kia Telluride SUV, only reaching an EPA-estimated 18/23 MPG (City/Highway).4
06/11/2025
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1Towing requires additional equipment. See Owner’s Manual for towing capacity, additional instructions and warnings. Always use caution while towing.
2Maximum towing capacity varies by trim level. Trailer brakes may be needed. See your retailer for details.
3EPA fuel economy estimates. Actual mileage will vary with driving conditions and your vehicle’s condition.
4Based on EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle’s condition. See www.fueleconomy.gov.
