The 2025 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige V6 AWD arrives as a luxury three-row SUV that’s long since outgrown its “value player” roots and now comfortably cruises among premium contenders. Kia has refined an already beloved formula with small but meaningful upgrades for 2025, proving that polish and consistency can triumph over flashy reinvention.
Bold Design, Subtle Evolution
At first glance, the Telluride’s silhouette remains familiar — muscular yet graceful. The X-Pro trim adds functional adventure cues: black metallic accents, 18-inch off-road wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, and a tougher stance that’s more Pacific Northwest than suburban Miami. LED lighting, a reworked front grille texture, and satin chrome details project quiet confidence. In SX Prestige trim, Kia strikes an elegant balance between rugged and refined.
Powertrain and Performance
Under the hood sits Kia’s proven 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an active all-wheel-drive system. The Telluride isn’t chasing turbocharged numbers or EV hype — instead, it delivers consistent, silky power that feels perfectly matched to its mission.
Even with the extra traction and off-road gear of the X-Pro package, acceleration remains brisk and linear. The AWD system’s terrain modes (Snow, Mud, Sand) quickly adapt to varying conditions, from beachside parking lots to Florida’s unpredictable rain showers. The steering feels lighter at city speeds yet firmly weighted on the highway, giving this big Kia a planted, composed character that inspires long-distance confidence.
Real-World Testing: Miami to Kissimmee
Urban Luxury in Miami
We began our drive under the Miami sun, gliding down Biscayne Boulevard and into Brickell traffic. The Telluride’s upscale cabin — leather-trimmed Nappa seats, dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays, and an excellent Harman Kardon audio system — makes stop-and-go congestion surprisingly pleasant. Ventilated front and rear seats proved a godsend in humid conditions, while visibility through large windows and a 360-degree camera simplified tight parking maneuvers.
Highway Cruiser through Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach
On I-95 northbound, the Telluride’s adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and quiet cabin made our journey effortless. The V6 feels smooth and unstressed at highway speeds, maintaining serenity with barely perceptible shifts. In Fort Lauderdale, the suspension soaked up highway imperfections with grace. Later, around Pompano Beach, we appreciated the towing stability while pulling a small watercraft — one of the X-Pro’s distinct advantages, with its 5,500-pound towing capacity.
Family Comfort in Boca Raton
By Boca Raton, the Telluride showed its true family-SUV virtue. The third-row comfort remains impressive even for adults, and the second-row captain’s chairs feel straight out of a luxury van. USB-C ports in every row, wireless charging, and ambient lighting highlight Kia’s attention to passengers as much as the driver. Despite South Florida’s mix of luxury SUVs, the Telluride commands respect with its quiet assurance rather than flashy branding.
Open Roads and Mixed Terrain near Orlando
Heading inland, we took scenic backroads toward Orlando to test the X-Pro’s off-pavement promise. Florida’s sandy shoulders, gravel drives, and occasional construction zones posed no issue. The Telluride’s all-terrain tires grip with confidence, and the suspension calibration prevents the body from feeling jittery even over uneven surfaces.
Around Lake Nona and Winter Park, the Telluride transitioned seamlessly from semi-rural terrain to urban smoothness — a testament to its well-rounded engineering.
Suburban Exploration around Kissimmee
Our journey ended in Kissimmee, weaving through suburban neighborhoods and local attractions. The tight steering radius and front camera assist helped maneuver in narrow driveways and theme park parking zones. As twilight descended, the cabin’s ambient lighting and ultra-clear digital displays truly shined, giving the Telluride a tech-forward, upscale lounge feel.
Cabin and Technology
Beyond first impressions, the Telluride’s cabin design feels cohesive and mature. Materials remain exceptional for the class, and the X-Pro SX Prestige brings luxuries once reserved for German marques: a head-up display, ventilated second-row seats, and even a digital rearview mirror. Kia’s infotainment continues to impress with its intuitive layout, crisp graphics, and reliable wireless smartphone connectivity. The only oversight remains lack of a power-folding third row — a minor gripe in an otherwise flawless execution.
Efficiency and Practical Ownership
In mixed driving from Miami to Kissimmee, our averaged fuel economy hovered around 22 mpg — consistent with EPA estimates for this AWD V6 configuration. The Telluride’s blend of traditional power and modern amenities feels refreshingly straightforward in an era of turbo complexity and plug-in anxiety. Maintenance costs remain reasonable, and Kia’s warranty continues to set the industry benchmark.
Verdict: A Confidently Refined Flagship
The 2025 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige V6 AWD doesn’t reinvent itself; it refines its reputation. From city streets to Florida’s sandy edges, it impressed with grace, power, and versatility. It’s an SUV that exudes assurance — a comfortable, capable flagship built for families, adventurers, and anyone who simply values substance over gimmickry.
In the crowded three-row SUV segment, Kia’s Telluride still feels like the confident grown-up in the room — now with a bit more grit under its polished skin.
2025 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige V6 AWD Key Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8-liter V6, direct-injection gas engine |
| Output | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive with center locking and limited-slip differentials |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Towing Capacity (X-Pro) | 5,500 lbs max rated towing |
| EPA Fuel Economy (AWD, X-Pro SX-Prestige) | 18 mpg city / 23 mpg highway / 20 mpg combined |
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers (2nd-row captain’s chairs) |
| Cargo Volume | 21.0 cu ft behind 3rd row, up to 87.0 cu ft max |
| Curb Weight | 4,522 lbs |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 196.9 in x 78.3 in x 70.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 in |
| Ground Clearance | 8.4 in |
| Wheels & Tires (X-Pro) | 18 x 7.5-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain P245/60R18 tires |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8 gallons, regular unleaded |
| Basic Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles limited warranty |
