The 2022 Kia Telluride brings incredible value and capability to the family SUV space, while the 2022 Ford Explorer offers the choice of sportier gasoline variants or more fuel-efficient hybrid options. Both offer 3-row seating and year-round functionality, but read on to find out which is best for you.

Kia Sorento 2022

2022 Kia Telluride Starting Price: $33,390 | Price yours Where See listings near you

Above average: Many places; well equipped; many standard security features; excellent warranty.

Below average: No Wi-Fi hotspot; small glove box.

Consensus: Spacious, affordable, well-equipped and well-mannered, the 2022 Kia Telluride has a lot to offer.

2022 Ford Explorer

2022 Ford Explorer starting price: $33,745 | Price yours Where See listings near you

Above average: Sports, off-road and hybrid variants; three rows of seats; standard rear wheel drive (RWD); all-wheel drive (AWD) optional.

Below average: The third row is a bit narrow; expensive for top trim; simple looks.

Consensus: A 3-row midsize SUV, the 2022 Ford Explorer offers plenty of options, from a powerful engine to luxurious Platinum trim and even a more aggressive off-road version. However, the third row is best for smaller passengers and looks a bit plain.

Telluride vs. Explorer: Everyone Wins

Kia Telluride

Accommodating up to eight passengers (and seven in higher versions), the 2022 Kia Telluride offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo. It offers a wide range of trimmings, from mainstream chic to value-added near-luxury. The Telluride has been so good that it has won our 2022 Best Buy and Best 3-Row Midsize SUV awards for the past year. For 2022, it gets a larger standard infotainment screen at 10.25-inches and standard navigation. As before, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard fare.

Ride quality is comfortable and nimble for the large SUV, and standard adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist makes handling long journeys a breeze. The system reads road signs and adjusts the speed if necessary. If you need to do some off-roading, the Telluride can do it thanks to its 8-inch ground clearance and available AWD system.

Inside there is enough space for adults (even in the third row). Seating is easy to access whether you have the captain’s chair or the standard second-row bench seat, and the seats are stacked stadium-style so everyone in the back can see the road ahead. This year Driver Talk is standard, meaning you don’t have to shout to be heard in the back rows. A silent mode also turns off the rear speakers when kids are sleeping.

Additionally, the Telluride has an impressive suite of standard safety systems. These include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with stop and go. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention warning, rear occupant alert and safe exit assist are also included.

Ford Explorer

If there’s one thing the 2022 Ford Explorer offers, it’s variety. Three powertrain choices include a performance turbocharged 4-cylinder, a 400-hp twin-turbo V6, and a hybrid V6. Trim choices are equally comprehensive, with options for captain’s chairs in the second row (reducing the seating capacity to six), an off-road-ready Timberline version, and the luxurious and pricey Platinum trim.

While the Telluride seats up to eight passengers, the Explorer seats up to seven passengers. As is often the case with midsize SUVs, the third row is ideal for small children due to its relatively cramped legroom. The cabin is comfortable and quiet, although neither the exterior nor the interior design are terribly exciting. Upper trims add details such as red stitching, simulated suede and, of course, full leather in King Ranch and Platinum upper trims.

Even the base turbocharged 4-cylinder is good with its 300 horsepower to keep the Explorer going, but the ST’s twin-turbo V6 is the one people will be talking about. It’s fast and powerful, with sport-tuned suspension, optional 21-inch alloys and bigger brakes. A Timberline version comes with all-terrain tires, standard all-wheel drive, a limited-slip rear differential, raised suspension, and skid plates.

Standard features include keyless start, tri-zone climate control and an 8-way power driver’s seat, plus the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver assistance features. Infotainment is via an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB ports, satellite radio and a 6-speaker audio system. Taller versions add more luxury touches, but prices can climb up to nearly $60,000.

Similarities

optional all-wheel drive; driver assistance functions as standard; family characteristics.

Advantages of the 2022 Kia Telluride

Longer warranty; large interior space; good price even at the top of the range; up to 8 seats; standard adaptive cruise control.

Advantages of the 2022 Ford Explorer

More powerful base engine; more engine options; slightly better base fuel economy; hybrid available.

Which is good for me?

The 2022 Kia Telluride fits the bill if you’re looking for a comfortable, affordable, well-equipped, and somewhat off-road capable SUV that can carry up to eight passengers and their gear.

The three rows of seats in the 2022 Ford Explorer provide good space for families as long as they don’t need to accommodate more than seven people. With many variations, including a hybrid, there’s something for almost everyone.

Ready to buy a Kia Telluride or a Ford Explorer? Buy one on sale now near you