Compare the2026 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2027 Kia Telluride

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Kia Telluride has not been tested.

Both the Traverse and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Telluride has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Telluride’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

There are almost 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Kia is rated lower.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (328 vs. 274) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 311) than the Telluride’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse gets better mileage than the Telluride:

The Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 19 gallons).

The Traverse has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Telluride doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Traverse has larger standard tires than the Telluride (255/65R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (275/45R22 vs. 265/45R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Telluride’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Telluride only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the Telluride (121 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

The Traverse uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Telluride doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Traverse has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear shoulder room, .9 inches more third row headroom and 2.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Telluride.

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the Telluride.

While the Telluride Hybrid can only tow 4000, any Traverse can tow a minimum of 5000 pounds.

The Traverse’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Telluride does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Traverse’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Telluride doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Traverse RS/High Country’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Telluride offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Traverse has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Telluride.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Kia Telluride by 20% during 2025.