Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Venue

The 2025 Kia Telluride presented a sophisticated and upscale appearance, with its distinctive design and attractive proportions. The SUV offered five core trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,390 to $51,390, excluding the destination charge. The X-Line and X-Pro packages added a rugged, blacked-out look and enhanced off-roading capabilities, though they somewhat diminished the vehicle's personality. Inside, the Telluride boasted a luxurious feel with its black-over-Terracotta interior, simulated wood trim, and metallic accents. The dual-screen display on the dashboard provided a modern touch, although some controls were difficult to read in daylight.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Venue had a more compact and utilitarian design, resembling a tall hatchback rather than a traditional SUV. Its small and narrow appearance was complemented by SUV-like features such as a bluff nose and roof rails. The Venue's interior was simple and functional, with a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that felt like an afterthought. The use of body-color trim around the air vents and shifter added a touch of flair, but the overall design leaned towards practicality rather than luxury.

The 2025 Kia Telluride was powered by a robust 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on most trims and all-wheel drive available on others. The Telluride offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart, with an additional Snow mode for AWD models. Despite some competitors opting for turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the Telluride's V6 provided smooth and ample power, achieving a fuel economy of 20.2 mpg over a long road trip.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, was equipped with a modest 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing just 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered only front-wheel drive. The Venue's performance was adequate for city driving, but it struggled at highway speeds, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.5–8.8 seconds. The Venue's lightweight and compact size contributed to its nimble handling, but the ride could be jiggly on rough surfaces due to its solid rear axle.

The 2025 Kia Telluride excelled in interior space and comfort, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, a lumbar massage function for the driver, and ample legroom for passengers. The SUV offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 87 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Telluride's thoughtful design included numerous storage solutions and charging ports, making it a practical choice for families.

In comparison, the 2026 Hyundai Venue provided a more compact interior with cloth and synthetic leather seats. While headroom was plentiful, legroom was limited, especially for taller passengers. The Venue's rear seats folded flat to offer 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space, but with the seats up, it provided only 18.7 cubic feet. The Venue's interior featured hard black plastic surfaces, with limited soft-touch materials, reflecting its budget-friendly nature.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured a sophisticated infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system included a head-up display, blind-spot monitoring, and a blue light filter for reduced eye strain. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which was a drawback. The Telluride's audio system was a 10-speaker Harman Kardon unit, providing impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue came with a basic 8-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the screen was responsive and easy to use, it lacked advanced features like navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Venue's audio system was a simple six-speaker setup, adequate for casual listening but lacking the clarity of more premium systems.

The 2025 Kia Telluride was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) under the Drive Wise branding. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, ensuring peace of mind for drivers.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered a good set of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. However, it lacked adaptive cruise control. The Venue received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, and while it scored well in some IIHS tests, full ratings were not available at the time of writing.