MAZDA CX-90 vs. Kia Telluride
At a Glance: MAZDA CX-90 vs. Telluride
Your morning is nothing short of exciting. School drop-offs, conference calls from the road, and a quick stop at your favorite local café occur before the average person’s day starts. Between phone cords and a cramped cabin, you seek something more spacious and modern to streamline your mornings around Kalamazoo, Grandville, or Holland, MI. Let us introduce you to the Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride.
With your family always on the go, you have strict criteria. Not only does your vehicle need to be large enough for your growing family, but it also needs the safety and design features that elevate every commute. Which SUV will fit the bill? The LaFontaine Mazda Kalamazoo team is here to help you through this process, starting with our Mazda CX-90 versus Kia Telluride comparison.
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Finding the Right SUV for Life’s Next Adventure
REQUIRE
In your search for a new SUV, ample space and top-tier safety features are at the top of your list. The Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride offer three rows of seating and advanced driver-assist technologies to help keep your family secure. The question is: Which SUV turns those everyday necessities into something extraordinary?
Space for Every Moment
Your SUV is a long-term investment. While searching for a model that aligns with your current needs, you must consider what you’ll need in the future. With seating for up to eight passengers in the Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride, there’s room for your kids, their gear, and your pup.
Across all three rows, the Mazda CX-90 and the Telluride feature comparable dimensions, proving that either SUV has the room needed to accommodate your growing family. The trend continues when comparing their cargo volumes. With a full cabin, either model can easily hold a week’s worth of grocery bags, day trip gear, and more.
Need to prioritize cargo? Each SUV has a maximum cargo capacity of at least 74.2 cubic feet, which is more than enough space for two bicycles, a complete camping setup, or flat-packed furniture for your home renovation project.
Space is only one aspect of your family’s comfort. Mood-boosting amenities like available heated first-/second-row seats and ventilated front seats help keep everyone comfortable, regardless of outside weather conditions. With a standard 3-zone automatic climate control system, the Mazda CX-90 offers more comfort control to passengers than the dual-zone system of the Kia Telluride.
Peace of Mind Mile After Mile
When it comes to protecting what matters most, you refuse to compromise. The Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride come packed with cutting-edge driver-assist features designed to boost your confidence on every journey. Their safety suites use sophisticated technology to alert you to hazards you may have missed. When conditions are met, features in these suites may assist with braking or steering to avoid a collision.
Regardless of which SUV you choose, you’ll have brand-specific versions of these features:
- Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Lane Departure Warning System and Lane-keep Assist
- Rear seat alert
- Vehicle Exit Warning
- Driver Attention Alert
- Available 360° View Monitor
That said, only the Mazda CX-90 comes standard with Smart Brake Support – Forward, which can automatically apply the brakes if it senses a potential collision while you’re approaching an intersection at low speeds. The Telluride’s Junction Turning Detection offers a more limited scope, activating only when you’re already turning into oncoming traffic.
ASPIRE
Picture your dream SUV: sleek, connected, and effortlessly functional. Does it make your morning commute smoother with intuitive tech? The Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride tick these boxes, but which one seamlessly integrates into your lifestyle and elevates your daily drive?
Which SUV Simplifies Your Commute?
Technology is an ever-evolving aspect of our lives. What used to be a luxury is now a necessity. You depend on technology to help you easily navigate unfamiliar areas and keep you connected to loved ones. These capabilities and more are made easy thanks to Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™ integration.
Connect your device to your SUV, then watch the central display mirror your phone’s interface. Access your phone’s music library, send audio text messages, and launch compatible apps without touching your device. However, only the Mazda CX-90 features optional wireless connectivity to help keep the cabin clear of charging cord clutter. Additional tech features that help streamline your time on the road include:
MAZDA CX-90 | vs. | Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Available | WIRELESS PHONE CHARGER | Available |
| 6 total: up to 2 ports per row | USB PORTS | 5 total: at least 1 per row |
| Bose® Surround Sound System with 12 speakers | AVAILABLE PREMIUM AUDIO SYSTEM | Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System with 10 speakers |
| Available | CENTERPOINT® AND AUDIOPILOT® TECHNOLOGY | Not Offered |
Only with the Mazda CX-90 can you begin every drive exactly the way you prefer. Its available Mazda Driver Personalization System uses facial recognition to identify you and automatically restore your ideal seat and mirror settings through your custom Driver Profile. By comparison, the Telluride’s traditional memory function for the driver’s seat and side mirrors is a button-based setup, without the intuitive, next-generation technology you’ll find in the Mazda CX-90.
Rugged Refinement vs. Sculpted Sophistication
Your SUV should address more than your transportation needs; it should reflect your professional success and personal style. The Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride are two standout SUVs. However, despite each having eight exterior colors, these models approach design in two different ways.
The Kia Telluride was designed with rugged elegance in mind. Its boxy silhouette, sharp hood angles, and bold rear spoiler add dramatic flair. High wheel arches tower above the wheels, giving it a commanding stance, while muted, mineral-inspired shades like Wolf Gray, Everlasting Silver, and Dark Moss reinforce its tough yet sophisticated vibe. Inside, the rugged character continues with earthy Terracotta and Gray upholstery, blending durability with style.
The Mazda CX-90 is designed with movement in mind. Its gently sloping roofline and elongated hood create a flowing silhouette, unlike the segmented style of the Telluride. Deep shades like Artisan Red, Deep Crystal Blue, and Platinum Quartz bring a bold brilliance, while standard LED lighting casts a spotlight wherever you go. Inside, artistry shines through with leather-wrapped features and available Nappa leather upholstery that speaks to its refined, dynamic personality.
The question remains: Which style choice best represents your chapter in life?
DESIRE
Choosing an SUV goes beyond getting from Point A to Point B—it’s about savoring every mile. The Mazda CX-90 and its sporty dynamic promise an engaging ride, while the Kia Telluride leans into comfort and versatility. Which one delivers the driving experience you’ve been craving?
Smooth, Strong, and Ready to Roll
What role does performance have in your life? Is it efficiently powering through your daily commute, or does it ignite your passion for the open road, turning every drive into an experience? The Mazda CX-90 and the Kia Telluride balance these desires, offering a daring yet comfortable ride.
| Maximum Performance Specs | ||
|---|---|---|
MAZDA CX-90 | Kia Telluride | |
| Engine | e-SKYACTIV®-G 3.3L Turbo | 3.8L V6 |
| Max Horsepower | 340 HP | 291 HP |
| Max Torque | 369 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Standard EPA-Estimated MPG | 24 city/28 highway MPG* | 20 city/26 highway MPG |
While each SUV is powerful, it’s the Mazda CX-90 that offers the balance between potency and efficiency you crave. Travel farther distances with fewer stops while enjoying the thrill of the road. On days you want to feel more engaged with your commute, use the standard paddle shifters of the Mazda CX-90 to control your vehicle’s shifting patterns. The Kia Telluride offers no similar feature.
Trail-Ready Toughness Meets Everyday Versatility
Life’s best moments happen off the beaten path. As someone who doesn’t hesitate when the travel bug strikes, you need an SUV ready for adventure. All-wheel drive (AWD) systems give your SUV the traction required to traverse rain-slicked streets and bumpy backroads alike.
If you want this extra capability with the Kia Telluride, you must upgrade to a higher trim. With the Mazda CX-90, however, i-Activ AWD® is standard on every trim level. This system also includes Off-road Mode, a selectable setting that can enhance the AWD capabilities of your SUV for more control when you venture off the pavement. The Telluride has no similar mode.
Beyond control, the Mazda CX-90 may provide a smoother, more comfortable commuting experience thanks to its 122.8-inch wheelbase. More than 8.5 inches longer than the wheelbase of the Telluride, the Mazda CX-90 may help reduce road feel, turning those dusty dirt roads and gritty gravel paths into smooth, seamless stretches that feel like you’re gliding on air.
The Road Ahead Is Yours: Which SUV Will You Choose?
Thanks to their spacious designs that prioritize forward-thinking technology, either the Mazda CX-90 or the Kia Telluride will give your Kalamazoo, Grandville, or Holland, MI travels the upgrade you need. Despite their similarities, the Mazda CX-90 goes the extra mile with its more modern capabilities.
Are you ready to see how the Mazda CX-90 will enhance your everyday drives? Visit us at LaFontaine Mazda Kalamazoo to test drive this SUV today!
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Shop MAZDA CX-90 Value Your Trade Apply for Financing Schedule a Test Drive* Based on combined city/highway EPA mileage estimates for 2026 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo and Turbo S models. Actual results will vary.