Compare the2026 GMC YukonVS 2027 Kia Telluride

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Yukon Ultimate helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Telluride doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Yukon and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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, available all wheel drive and driver alert monitors.

The GMC Yukon weighs 540 to 1563 pounds more than the Kia Telluride. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Yukon’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Telluride’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

There are over 2 times as many GMC dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Yukon’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Kia is rated lower.

The Yukon’s standard 5.3 V8 produces 81 more horsepower (355 vs. 274) and 72 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 311) than the Telluride’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Yukon’s 5.3 V8 produces 26 more horsepower (355 vs. 329) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 339) than the Telluride’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Yukon’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 91 more horsepower (420 vs. 329) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 339) than the Telluride’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 31 more horsepower (305 vs. 274) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 311) than the Telluride’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 156 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 339) than the Telluride’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Yukon gets better mileage than the Telluride:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Yukon V8’s fuel efficiency. The Telluride doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Yukon has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (24 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Yukon has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride’s standard fuel tank (24 vs. 19 gallons).

The Yukon has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Telluride doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the GMC Yukon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Telluride.

For better stopping power the Yukon’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Telluride:

For better traction, the Yukon has larger standard tires than the Telluride (275/60R20 vs. 235/65R18). The Yukon Denali’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (285/40R24 vs. 265/45R21).

The Yukon’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Telluride LX/EX Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The Yukon Denali’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Telluride X-Line’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Yukon has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Telluride X-Pro. The Yukon Denali’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Telluride X-Line.

The GMC Yukon’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Telluride only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Yukon has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Telluride doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Yukon has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Telluride; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Yukon offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Telluride’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the Telluride (120.9 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Yukon AT4 Ultimate Air Ride has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride X-Pro (10 vs. 9.1 inches), allowing the Yukon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Yukon has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room, .8 inches more third row headroom, 2.8 inches more third row legroom and 7.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Telluride.

The Yukon’s cargo area provides more volume than the Telluride.

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Telluride’s (7700 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Telluride is only 5000 pounds. The Yukon offers up to a 8400 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Telluride Hybrid can only tow 4000, any Yukon can tow a minimum of 7700 pounds.

The Yukon 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Yukon can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Telluride can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The engine in the Yukon 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 Yukon’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Telluride does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Yukon’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Telluride doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Kia Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Yukon’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Telluride doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Yukon’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.

The Yukon’s standard 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.

The GMC Yukon has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Telluride EX/SX/Prestige.

The Yukon has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Telluride.

Both the Yukon and the Telluride offer available massaging front seats. The Yukon Denali Ultimate also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Telluride.

The GMC Yukon has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the infotainment. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Kia charges extra for Homelink® on the Telluride.