Acadia vs Telluride
The Acadia and the Telluride sit in the same three-row suv class, but GMC and Kia don’t always agree on what matters most. If you only read one line, make it this: the Acadia takes 3 of 5 compared areas, and the engine & performance gap is the one to look at first.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Acadia wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Tie
- Space & Practicality Acadia wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech Acadia wins
- Engine & Performance7.6
- Fuel Economy & Range4.8
- Space & Practicality7.1
- Off-road & Towing5.3
- Engine & Performance5.1
- Fuel Economy & Range2.7
- Space & Practicality7.4
- Off-road & Towing5.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Acadia has 64 lb-ft more torque
A clear win for the Acadia: 326 lb-ft against 262 lb-ft. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. The Acadia’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
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The Acadia has 37 hp more power
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 328 hp for the Acadia, 291 hp for the Telluride. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The Acadia has 9.5% more cargo space
On paper, the Acadia is a touch ahead here, listing 23 cu ft against 21 cu ft. The Acadia’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
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The Telluride has room for 8 seats
A modest but measurable lead goes to the Telluride: 8 seats compared with 7 seats. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
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The Acadia has 12% more maximum cargo space
The Acadia is slightly stronger on cargo (seats folded). The gap, 97.5 cu ft versus 87 cu ft, won’t change your life, but it isn’t nothing. The Acadia can swallow more with the seats down, which makes it more versatile for occasional big loads.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Acadia | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 78.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 114.2 in |
Engine & Performance
Acadia leads
The engine & performance numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Acadia. The Acadia brings 64 lb-ft more torque. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type. That makes the Acadia the natural choice for buyers focused on engine & performance.
Torque
Acadia: 326 lb-ft Telluride: 262 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Total system output
Acadia: 328 hp Telluride: 291 hp The Acadia’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Fuel Economy & Range
Too close to call
If fuel economy & range matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Both cover fuel economy & range well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Space & Practicality
Acadia leads
Look at the space & practicality table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Acadia. The Acadia scores with 9.5% more cargo space. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice. Here the Telluride offers room for 8 seats. The space & practicality verdict goes to the Acadia.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Acadia: 23 cu ft Telluride: 21 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Seats
Acadia: 7 seats Telluride: 8 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Both the Acadia and the Telluride cover off-road & towing equally well on paper. Either car will serve you equally well on off-road & towing.
Safety & Tech
Acadia leads
It’s a narrow one, but the safety & tech round goes to the Acadia. In its favor, the Acadia has a bigger 15 in touchscreen. The Acadia’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room. In short, the Acadia is the better-equipped car for safety & tech.
Largest touchscreen
Acadia: 15 in Telluride: 12.3 in Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Acadia | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.5L turbo I4 | 3.8L V6 |
| Total system output | 328 hp (winner) | 291 hp |
| Torque | 326 lb-ft (winner) | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Acadia | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 23 mpg | 22 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 27 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 18.8 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Acadia | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats | 8 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 23 cu ft (winner) | 21 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 97.5 cu ft (winner) | 87 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Acadia | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Acadia | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 15 in (winner) | 12.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | GMC Pro Safety | Kia Drive Wise |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Acadia | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 78.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 114.2 in |
Price
| Spec | Acadia | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $43,000 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Acadia if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (326 lb-ft vs 262 lb-ft of torque)
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (328 hp vs 291 hp)
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (23 cu ft vs 21 cu ft)
- you move bulky items now and then (97.5 cu ft vs 87 cu ft maximum cargo)
Choose the Telluride if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (8 seats vs 7 seats)
- you prefer staying with Kia
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Acadia or the Telluride?
The Acadia wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d trade the rest for room for 8 seats.
Executive Summary
Comparing the Acadia and the Telluride feels a bit like comparing two good restaurants with different menus. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is 64 lb-ft more torque, and that goes to the Acadia. On top of that, the Acadia adds 9.5% more cargo space. Fairness check: the Telluride does come with room for 8 seats.
Think about your week. Heavy on engine & performance? The Acadia. More about passenger space? The Telluride.
My pick: the Acadia, though the Telluride makes sense if you specifically want room for 8 seats, where the Telluride has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.