2025 Mazda CX-90 vs. Kia Telluride

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride are options worth considering if you’re looking for a full-size family SUV. Both three-row SUVs offer flexible seating for eight passengers and come equipped with innovative tech features to ensure comfort and fun during commutes. But how do they stack up against each other, and which one should you buy? In this Kia Telluride vs. Mazda CX-90 comparison, we take a deep dive into the features of these two heavyweights to help you determine which suits your needs best.

Design and Style

The Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride equally showcase bold and aesthetically pleasing designs, albeit with different approaches. The Telluride has a boxy design that should appeal if you’re seeking ruggedness. On the other hand, the Mazda CX-90 leans toward a more refined, sleek aesthetic. Mazda’s Kodo design philosophy is evident in the CX-90’s flowing lines, muscular stance, and attention to detail. The CX-90’s design feels more premium, with its long hood and wide grille giving it a commanding presence on the road.

On the inside, the Mazda CX-90 leans heavily into luxury, with its nappa-leather-trimmed seats providing an opulent cabin experience. The Kia Telluride also offers quality seating material with options such as nappa leather and SynTex suede.

Performance

Another critical area where the 2025 Mazda CX-90 shines is performance. It boasts an e-SKYACTIVE 3.3-liter inline-six turbocharged engine that delivers 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. If you’re seeking more power, there’s also a more robust variation of this engine with an output of 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. For the 2025 model, Mazda also offers the CX-90 in a plug-in hybrid variant with an electric range of 26 miles.

The 2025 Kia Telluride is powered by a 3.8-litre V-6 engine with a maximum output of 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. While this engine offers smooth and reliable performance, it lacks the eco-friendly advantage of the CX-90’s plug-in hybrid option. At 5,000 pounds, the Telluride’s towing capacity is comparable to the CX-90’s. However, the versatility of the CX-90’s multiple engine choices, particularly the plug-in hybrid, gives it an edge in performance and flexibility.

Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Impact

One of the biggest advantages of the Mazda CX-90 is its plug-in hybrid version, which allows you to reduce fuel consumption by running on electric power for short commutes. If you’re interested in making substantial fuel savings and reducing environmental impact, this is something to consider.

That said, the turbocharged versions of the Mazda CX-90 are still more fuel-efficient than the Kia Telluride. The CX-90 gets an estimated rating of 24 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway compared to the Kia Telluride’s ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Safety and Reliability

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride are well equipped with a host of top-of-the-line safety tech to protect you and your passengers. Mazda’s offering is outfitted with the i-Activsense suite, which has standard safety features such as smart brake support, lane-keep assist, blind-spot assist, and head-on traffic-avoidance assist. The Kia Telluride matches these features, offering similar safety technologies such as auto emergency braking, blind-spot collision warning, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.

Both SUVs have high safety ratings and are widely considered leaders in their market segment. That said, Mazda’s i-Activsense safety system, which integrates advanced safety technologies and driver-assist features, provides a more intuitive and seamless experience.

Pricing and Value

The latest iterations of the Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride are positioned competitively in the full-size SUV market segment. The Telluride offers strong value for its starting MSRP of $36,190, significantly lower than the CX-90’s starting MSRP of $37,845. It also comes with a 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty compared to the Mazda CX-90’s five-year or 60,000-mile warranty.

Nevertheless, the Mazda CX-90 remains the better option if your focus is luxury and advanced technology. While the Telluride’s lower price is tempting, the CX-90’s premium feel and extra features make it a compelling choice if you’re willing to spend a little more for a higher-end SUV.

Cargo Space and Practicality

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 and 2025 Kia Telluride both offer generous cargo space, making them practical choices for families and adventure seekers. The Telluride has more cargo capacity behind the third row at 21.0 cubic feet than the CX-90’s 14.9 cubic feet. When the rear seats are folded, the Kia provides a maximum of 87.0 cubic feet compared to the CX-90’s 76.0 cubic feet.

The CX-90 compensates for its slightly smaller cargo capacity with a more luxurious and versatile interior. Its seats are designed for comfort, and there are options for captain’s chairs in the second row, making it ideal for long road trips.

Technological Innovations

Mazda has placed strong emphasis on technology in its new CX-90, with an intuitive 10.25-inch touch screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition to this user-friendly infotainment system, the model also features a 12-speaker Bose sound system and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity.

The Kia Telluride offers a slightly larger infotainment touch screen at 12.3 inches. This display integrates seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to connect your smartphone and keep your hands free for steering. Additional tech features on this model include a Harman Kardon sound system and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Expert Opinions and Reviews

The Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride have garnered considerable positive acclaim from automotive experts. The CX-90 is praised for its refined driving dynamics courtesy of its rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. It also scores major points for its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which provides a more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly drive. The Kia Telluride, on the other hand, is lauded for its larger cargo capacity, versatile seating, and user-friendly infotainment system.

Test-Drive the 2025 Mazda CX-90 Today

While the Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride are both formidable options in the full-size SUV category, the CX-90 edges out its competitor thanks to its luxurious interior, fuel-efficient powertrains, including the plug-in hybrid, and advanced tech. If you’re still deciding whether the 2025 Mazda CX-90 is the perfect family SUV, contact us today to book a free test-drive. Our team is happy to walk you through all the features so you can make an informed choice.