Compare the2026 Mazda CX-90VS 2027 Kia Telluride

The Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Telluride doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-90 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second 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.

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Telluride doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the Telluride.

Both the CX-90 and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Telluride has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

The CX-90’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Telluride runs out after 100,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

The CX-90 has more powerful engines than the Telluride:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Telluride:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Telluride:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 27 miles. The Telluride can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Telluride (265/55R19 vs. 235/65R18). The CX-90 Preferred/Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (275/45R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The CX-90 Select’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Telluride LX/EX Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 Select has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Telluride X-Pro.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Telluride (122.8 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Telluride’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride (8 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Telluride. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The CX-90’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Telluride’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Telluride doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-90’s optional 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.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Mazda CX-90 retains 53.28% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 51.21% resale value of the 2027 Kia Telluride after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner.