2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2025 Kia Telluride
Although small, compact SUVs can be a lot of fun to drive, many of us need something large and powerful with plenty of room inside for our families. That is when three-row SUVs can be the perfect choice since they give you lots of seating and a spacious cabin without going overboard or taking over your life the way some massive, full-size SUVs can threaten to.
You have a growing number of three-row SUVs available to you these days, which makes it tricky to navigate them all and choose the one that is right for you; focusing on just one or two at a time can make things a lot simpler. Looking at the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2025 Kia Telluride, for example, shows us that Jeep provides a lot more to enjoy.
We would never say the Kia Telluride is a poor choice; it is clear that Kia’s designers and engineers have worked hard to make something special here. As we look at everything the Jeep Grand Cherokee L has to offer, it becomes clear that Jeep has simply brought more to the road and created something that you will love driving each day.
Performance is pretty similar between these two SUVs, at least at a glance, with powerful V6 engines in both of them. But if you need to tow something behind your SUV, then Jeep’s model is a better choice, thanks to more than 6,000 lbs of towing capacity compared to just 5,500 lbs of towing with the Telluride.
Looking inside, both of these vehicles have a lot to offer, but once again, Jeep has gone further with the cabin of the Grand Cherokee L. Although the large display in the Telluride is impressive, you get remarkable options from Jeep, including an available Front Passenger interactive Touchscreen Display for your copilot, a rear-seat monitoring camera to help you keep an eye on your kids, and even a 19-speaker McIntosh sound system.
We are pleased to say that both of these SUVs have impressive safety technology, although we find more to appreciate with the Grand Cherokee L and its available options like a 360-degree Surround View Camera and Hands-Free Active Driving Assist. Both of these SUVs have a lot to offer, but overall, we simply prefer everything the Jeep Grand Cherokee L brings to the road.
| 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L | VS | 2025 Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| $39,035 [a] | MSRP | $36,390 |
| Yes | Rear Seat Monitoring Camera | No |
| Yes | Front Passenger Touchscreen | No |
| 6,200 lbs | Towing | 5,500 lbs |
Performance and Capabilities
When trying to decide on the right SUV with everything you need, the engine is a great place to start since so many other factors depend on it. It is not always easy to determine what kind of performance or capabilities you need, so a quick glance is often not enough to decide on the right SUV with the power you require.
Looking at the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and the Kia Telluride, for example, reveals two SUVs that have very similar performance. The differences between them can be significant in some ways that are easy to overlook, which is why it is important to take your time when choosing a vehicle.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is powered by a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine that delivers 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. By comparison, the Kia Telluride has a 3.8L V6 engine that provides 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with an eight-speed transmission as well.
You can see why we said they are very similar; the differences in power are essentially negligible. The Grand Cherokee L offers rear-wheel drive, while the Telluride gives you rear-wheel drive, and both give you an all-wheel drive option so that you can get the kind of performance and handling you want, plus fuel efficiency with both models is nearly the same.
One of the key differences between them, however, is in the kind of capabilities they offer to help you take care of things beyond just getting from one place to another. In particular, towing is notably different with these two SUVs. The 2025 Kia Telluride tops out at 5,500 lbs of towing capacity, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee L can handle 6,200 lbs of maximum towing.
That is a significant difference in how much weight these two vehicles can handle that can really matter if you have a trailer, boat, or camper that you want to haul behind your SUV. Jeep gives you far greater capabilities and an overall drive that is perfect for both your daily routine and enjoying yourself on the weekend.
Technology
Looking inside these two SUVs, it is clear that both models have a lot to offer, but we much prefer how Jeep delivers all of its great features. The 2025 Kia Telluride has some good standard features, including a Smart Key with push-button start, Dual-Zone Auto Climate Control, and SynTex seating that is quite comfortable. Six-way manual front seats are standard in the Telluride, along with a 12.3-inch infotainment display, a 4.2-inch instrument screen, and a six-speaker sound system.
Kia offers a number of upgrades on higher trims such as a larger 12.3-inch instrument display, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 10-speaker sound system. With more available options like leather seating, heated front seats, and a 10-way power driver’s seat, the Telluride becomes quite good.
Jeep gives you a lot more to enjoy with the Grand Cherokee L, plus incredible options that can let you elevate the interior of your three-row SUV in remarkable ways. The standard model comes with dual zone front air conditioning, remote keyless entry, and an eight-way power driver’s seat rather than the manual seating you find inside the Kia model.
A 10.1-inch infotainment display is standard in the Grand Cherokee L, which is a bit smaller than what Kia offers, but you get a standard 10.25-inch Digital Cluster Display on the instrument panel that is much larger than the starting screen in the Telluride. If you want to take things to the next level, then Jeep offers a number of exciting options and upgrades to elevate every moment you spend on the road, like 12-way power seating with massage functionality.
Beyond that, there is an available 10.25-inch class-exclusive Front Passenger interactive Touchscreen Display that gives your copilot controls over entertainment, navigation, and more. An available wireless charging pad makes it easy to keep your devices powered up, while the available 10-inch head-up display provides you with important information in your sightline so you can keep your eyes on the road.
The rear-seat monitoring camera makes it easy to keep an eye on young children, pets, or anything else you are concerned about in the back of your SUV, while the available McIntosh Premium entertainment system with 19 speakers takes your audio experience to a higher level than anything you can find in the Telluride.
Safety
Although both of these vehicles have some great safety tech, we prefer how Jeep delivers everything the Grand Cherokee L has to offer. The Kia Telluride features a Forward Collision Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and a Rear Park Distance Warning, all standard. A Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning are also standard.
Other safety systems like Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist and a Surround View Monitor are found only on the highest trims of the Telluride and are not even available on lower levels. Overall, it has a lot of great features to keep Kia drivers safer, but we wish more was offered on more-accessible trim levels.
Every 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L comes with an impressive selection of standard driver-assistance technologies such as a Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking and Pedestrian/Cyclist Detection, Active Lane Management to help you stay in your lane, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go. You also get a ParkView Rear Back Up Camera with ParkSense Rear Park Assist to make parking spots easier to navigate, along with Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection.
Available features let you take things even further with a 360-degree Surround View Camera, Drowsy Driver Detection, and even Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist that makes getting in and out of parking spots easier. And with available Hands-Free Active Driving Assist, you can relax more during your daily commute or while on long road trips with your family.
Go Further and Get More With the Grand Cherokee L
As you can see, the Kia Telluride certainly has a lot to offer, but overall the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L comes through with more fantastic features and options for you to enjoy. Whether you are looking at the kind of capabilities it delivers, its incredibly comfortable and spacious interior, or how well it can keep you and your loved ones safe on the road, Jeep has you covered with everything you need.
And here at Zimmer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we have you covered with a fantastic selection of vehicles to choose from. No matter what you are looking for in your next SUV, we are here to help you find it and make sure you drive away completely happy.
With one of our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople working alongside you, it is easy to explore the features of the Grand Cherokee L and find everything you have been looking for. We will listen to you, answer all your questions, and ensure you get an SUV you will love driving for many years to come.
Our financing specialists are here to make the financing process as simple and hassle-free as possible, plus our certified service center will keep your Jeep running beautifully for many years. No matter what you need, we are here to help. Call or come visit us at Zimmer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today to learn more about the Grand Cherokee L and discover a better way to shop for your next SUV.