The SUV market has recently seen massive growth, with more families and individuals opting for vehicles that provide space, versatility, and modern features. The Ford Explorer has been a firm favorite as a reliable and spacious SUV, while the Kia Telluride has quickly gained traction for its stylish design and value. Both vehicles offer decent performance, comfort, and advanced technology but cater to different needs and preferences. Our team at John Kennedy Ford in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, will explore various aspects of the 2024 Ford Explorer and the 2024 Kia Telluride to help you determine the right car for you.
Exterior Design
The 2024 Ford Explorer features a bold, athletic design that hints at its sporty nature. With a bold front grille and sleek, stylish lines, you’ll enjoy the Explorer’s aesthetics. A range of eye-catching exterior colors makes it an appealing choice for drivers who want a practical, rugged, yet stylish SUV.
The 2024 Kia Telluride features a more refined and sophisticated appearance with a wide stance and distinctive front fascia. The Telluride’s design features elegant curves and modern finishes, such as alloy wheels. In terms of space, the Explorer is longer, wider, and taller than the Kia and boasts a longer wheelbase. However, the Kia offers more passenger volume and an overall lighter curb weight.
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | Kia Telluride |
| Wheelbase (inches) | 119.1 | 114.2 |
| Length (inches) | 199.3 | 196.9 |
| Width (inches) | 78.9 | 78.3 |
| Height (inches) | 70.2 | 69.3 |
| Passenger Volume (cubic feet) | 149 | 178.1 |
| Curb Weight (pounds) | 4,853 | 4,490 |
Interior Comfort and Space
The Explorer’s cabin is spacious, allowing maximum comfort and practicality with durable, easy-to-clean materials, while the Kia offers more premium materials like available nappa leather. Ford can accommodate up to seven passengers across three rows of seating, while the Kia can seat eight but at a compromise for individual space.
The Explorer offers more generous legroom and shoulder room in the front and second rows so passengers can enjoy long journeys without feeling too cramped. The Kia affords slightly less legroom in the front but compensates with more rear legroom. Both models provide around 87 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, making it ideal for family trips or carrying cargo.
| Ford Explorer | Kia Telluride | |
| Headroom (front/rear) (inches) | 40.7/40.5 | 40.9/40.2 |
| Legroom (front/rear) (inches) | 43/39 | 41.4/42.4 |
| Shoulder Room (front/rear) (inches) | 61.8/61.9 | 61.6/61.2 |
| Trunk Space (cubic feet) | 18.2 | 21 |
| Maximum Cargo Space (cubic feet) | 87.8 | 87 |
Performance and Handling
Performance
The 2024 Ford Explorer showcases a standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost® turbo I-4 engine on the base trim levels, producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides plenty of power for daily driving and can tow up to 5,600 pounds. The Explorer also offers an optional twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost® V-6 engine, which delivers 400 horsepower for those who need it. Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer has a standard rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is optional. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board.
On the other hand, the 2024 Kia Telluride comes with a robust 3.8-liter V-6 engine, generating 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. While it may not match the Explorer’s horsepower output, it still provides sufficient power for most driving situations. Towing power is slightly less powerful than the Explorer, but it’s still generous at 5,500 pounds. Kia’s engine pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission and has standard front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is also optional.
Handling
The Explorer’s rear-wheel drive provides reasonable handling, but the ST trim delivers much more power and a stiffer suspension, which makes it fun to drive. The Explorer’s sporty handling makes it enjoyable to drive on winding roads, while the Telluride offers a much firmer ride, especially on hard tar surfaces. The Kia offers an optional self-leveling rear air suspension. The brakes and handling are responsive on both models, and both vehicles feature all-wheel drive options to improve traction on various terrains.
Safety Features
Both models have been rated 5 stars for overall safety by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 2024 Ford Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360, which includes advanced safety technologies, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. You can also upgrade to options like a self-parking assist. The Kia offers many of the same driver-assistance technology as standard. Automatic high beams, a 360-degree camera system, and a blind-spot view monitor are optional.
Pricing and Value
The starting MSRP for the 2024 Ford Explorer is approximately $36,860, while the 2024 Kia Telluride starts at around $36,190. The Ford Explorer Limited trim arguably provides the best value for money with its leather upholstery, 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, and 20-inch wheels. Adding all-wheel drive to your new vehicle will further improve your driving experience. If you want an off-road trim, the Timberline is an excellent option.
For the Kia, the SX trim provides great value for money with its front and rear sunroofs, black-painted 20-inch rims, and Harman/Kardon sound system. It offers a close-to-luxury experience but is still accessible. While both vehicles offer excellent value for their respective price points, your budget may dictate which option is more suitable.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
The 2024 Ford Explorer has received strong customer ratings at around 4.1 stars on Edmunds. Strong customer testimonials rate its driving experience, spaciousness, and ride quality as key advantages. Customers also rave about its appearance, value, towing, and handling. Reported downsides include road noise, visibility, and the warranty.
On the other hand, customers rate the Kia at 3.7 stars on Edmunds. The testimonials emphasize its ride quality, driving experience, and engine as positives. The customers also mention great results with visibility, comfort, and handling. The reported downsides are about Kia Telluride’s technology, fuel efficiency, and warranty.
2024 Ford Explorer vs. Kia Telluride: Which Is Best?
Both the 2024 Ford Explorer and the 2024 Kia Telluride offer excellent features that cater to different needs. If you prioritize performance and sporty handling along with plenty of passenger space, the Explorer may be your best bet. If you prefer a refined interior with excellent value for money, the Telluride is an attractive option. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific requirements as well as personal preferences regarding design and features. To explore these models further, visit John Kennedy Ford Feasterville in Pennsylvania to schedule a test drive of the Ford Explorer.
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