When the Kia Telluride launched in 2019, no one could have guessed how big of an impact it was going to make on the SUV game. The Telluride hit the scene as a large, stylish, well-appointed three-row SUV that families just couldn’t buy fast enough. These things are ubiquitous in the suburbs.
The 2025 Kia Telluride has once again proven its dominance in the competitive SUV market, earning the top ranking in the Upper Midsize SUV segment of the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). The study, which evaluated 182 vehicle models based on feedback from nearly 93,000 verified owners, unsurprisingly showed that the Telluride had the fewest quality issues reported within the first 90 days of ownership.
Initial Quality Recognition Comes As No Surprise
The J.D. Power IQS examines initial vehicle quality based on owner-reported problems across categories like driving experience, powertrain performance, and feature usability. Kia’s continued success in the study reflects a brand-wide focus on delivering vehicles that meet high standards for both build quality and user experience.
“Our world-class vehicles deliver the quality, reliability, and technology that consumers are looking for,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. “This J.D. Power IQS award demonstrates Kia’s dedication to engineering high-quality vehicles designed to fulfill the needs of the entire family.”
Kia Telluride Sales Continue To Climb
Kia’s award-winning SUV isn’t just ranking high in quality surveys—it’s also driving impressive sales growth. The Telluride has seen a nearly 17 percent increase in year-over-year sales, reflecting strong consumer demand for reliable and well-equipped family vehicles. Kia’s overall vehicle sales are up more than 10 percent, further emphasizing the brand’s rising popularity in a competitive market.
What Makes The 2025 Kia Telluride Stand Out?
The 2025 Kia Telluride keeps crushing thanks to a blend of smart features, family-hauling versatility, and just the least little smidge of SUV ruggedness that’s hard not to love. It’s powered by a trusty 3.8-liter V6 engine, generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque—plenty for highway passes and unbothered back-road driving. Also, all-wheel drive is available for those who want a little more grip, and with seating for up to eight, it’s built for real-life adventures. Whether you’re corralling kids or camping gear, the Telluride makes it all feel easy.
But what really seals the deal is its rock-solid reliability and attention to detail. Owners rave about how little goes wrong with it, and J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study just backed that up by naming it best in its segment—again. Inside, the cabin is quiet, stylish, and loaded with tech that doesn’t take a computer science degree to figure out. People love the Telluride because it nails the balance: it looks tough (enough), rides smooth, and doesn’t treat practicality like a compromise.
Kia Continues To Lead In Quality And Reliability
The 2025 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study results confirm what Telluriders already know: the Kia Telluride is, most accurately and simply put, one of the best in the midsize SUV category. Backed by strong customer satisfaction and growing sales figures, the Telluride continues to reinforce Kia’s reputation as a brand that delivers value in a time when that can feel hard to come by, as car prices continue to feel like a beating.
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