Kia Telluride

In brief: the 2025 Kia Telluride is a gasoline suv priced in the UAE from AED 159,495 (GCC spec), seating 8, powered by a 3.8L V6 291hp making 291 hp, with a 5-year warranty. Muscular 291 hp on tap for confident overtaking.

The 2025 Kia Telluride arrives in the UAE priced from AED 159,495, positioning it as a premium proposition aimed at buyers who want more than the basics in the suv suv class. For buyers weighing options across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, it targets drivers who want a midsize suv with capable performance and GCC-ready engineering. Its natural rivals in the UAE include the Toyota RAV4, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

Power comes from a 3.8L V6 291hp making 291 hp and 392 Nm, driving the front wheels through a 8-Speed Automatic. Official combined consumption sits at 6.8 L/100km, which is competitive for the segment. With 6 trims spanning AED 159,495 to AED 239,242, there is a configuration for most budgets in this segment.

This review breaks down exactly how the Telluride performs where it matters for Emirates buyers — the heat, the highways, the resale market and the total cost of ownership — so you can decide whether it deserves a place on your shortlist over its rivals.

Measuring 4750 mm long, 1880 mm wide and 1680 mm tall on a 2790 mm wheelbase, the Telluride sits in the midsize bracket of the suv class. Its 200 mm ground clearance clears UAE speed bumps and mall ramps without drama. Signature daytime running lights anchors the design and marks it out in traffic.

Notable exterior details include led headlights, led daytime running lights, alloy wheels, body colored door mirrors. The paint and exterior trim are specified to resist the intense UV and fine sand that define the Gulf climate, protecting the finish over years of ownership.

Inside, the Telluride seats 8 across three rows, with soft-touch surfaces and higher-grade trim that lift the ambience. Cabin highlights include automatic climate control, power windows, keyless entry & push button start, multi-function steering wheel.

The third row is genuinely usable for shorter trips, and folds flat to unlock a large load bay. Multi-zone climate control and rear vents keep every seat cool through a UAE summer — a non-negotiable that this cabin handles well.

The base LX pairs its 3.8L V6 291hp with a 8-Speed Automatic, producing 291 hp and 392 Nm. That translates to a adequate 0–100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds and a 180 km/h top speed. There is more than enough muscle for effortless highway overtaking.

The FWD layout keeps things efficient and light on its feet in town. The transmission is tuned for smoothness, keeping the drivetrain relaxed at the UAE's 120–140 km/h cruising speeds. Higher trims (up to the X-Pro) add sharper responses and, in some cases, more power.

On the tech front the Telluride offers apple carplay integration, android auto support, bluetooth connectivity, usb charger ports, digital instrument cluster. Higher trims layer on premium audio, wireless charging and a head-up display.

Connectivity is the priority: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto handle navigation and media, sidestepping the need for built-in maps. Over-the-air updates keep the system current after purchase.

The Telluride carries a 5-Star Euro NCAP. Standard and available driver aids include anti-lock braking system (abs), electronic brakeforce distribution (ebd), traction control system (tcs), dual front airbags, rear parking sensors.

Most active-safety systems are available, and many are standard, making it an easy car to recommend to family buyers. For UAE highways, the adaptive cruise and lane-keeping systems (where fitted) meaningfully reduce fatigue on long inter-emirate drives.

Ride comfort leans towards a settled, comfortable everyday tune. The 2790 mm wheelbase helps it feel planted and calm at speed. Acoustic insulation keeps engine and road noise in check, so conversation and audio come through cleanly at cruising pace.

The high-capacity air conditioning pulls cabin temperatures down fast after the car has baked in the sun — arguably the most important comfort feature in this market, and one the Telluride handles convincingly.

With 580 litres of boot space behind the third row expanding significantly with seats folded and a 65 litre fuel tank, the Telluride is well set up for family logistics and airport runs. Cabin storage — door bins, console and cupholders — is generous.

Its midsize footprint is manageable in typical UAE parking, and the 5-door layout keeps access practical.

From AED 159,495, the Telluride makes a considered value case. Factor in projected depreciation when comparing it against rivals, as resale varies by brand. Servicing intervals of every 10,000 km and a 5-year / 150,000 km warranty frame the ongoing costs.

At 6.8 L/100km, fuel costs are kept in check against the UAE's petrol prices. Buyers financing the car should budget for insurance at roughly 2–3% of value per year on top of the monthly instalment.

This is a GCC-specification Telluride, which matters more than badge or price. Regional specification brings the heat-management upgrades — cooling, electronics and materials — that make a real difference over a UAE summer. Ground clearance is set for speed bumps and ramps rather than serious off-roading.

Salik toll compatibility, dealer coverage across the seven emirates and readily available parts round out the ownership picture. For desert-country buyers, choosing GCC spec over a cheaper import is the difference between reliable summers and recurring cooling failures.

Across the 6-trim range, the sweet spot is usually the mid-grade car. The entry LX (AED 159,495) covers the essentials and suits fleets and budget buyers, while the range-topping X-Pro (AED 239,242) adds the full complement of comfort, tech and safety kit.

Check current dealer offers — end-of-quarter deals can shift the value equation. If maximising resale matters to you, mid and upper trims typically depreciate more gracefully than the stripped-out base car.