Compare the2026 Infiniti QX80VS 2027 Kia Telluride

The Infiniti QX80 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.

Both the QX80 and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, 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 all wheel drive.

The Infiniti QX80 weighs 754 to 1824 pounds more than the Kia Telluride. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Infiniti QX80 achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2026 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, pedestrian crash prevention testing, and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention testing. The Telluride has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

The QX80’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Telluride’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX80 for 3 years and 45000 miles. Infiniti will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Telluride.

The QX80’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 176 more horsepower (450 vs. 274) and 205 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 311) than the Telluride’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The QX80’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 121 more horsepower (450 vs. 329) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 339) than the Telluride’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The QX80 has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The QX80 has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 19 gallons).

The QX80 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 nine-speed automatic is standard on the Infiniti QX80, 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 QX80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Telluride:

The QX80 stops shorter than the Telluride:

For better traction, the QX80 has larger tires than the Telluride (275/60R20 vs. 235/65R18). The QX80 Pure’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (275/60R20 vs. 265/45R21).

The QX80 Pure’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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX80 Pure has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Telluride X-Pro. The QX80 Luxe/Sport/Autograph’s 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Telluride X-Line.

The Infiniti QX80’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 QX80 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 QX80 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 QX80’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the Telluride (121.1 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

The QX80 Autograph handles at .78 G’s, while the Telluride SX Prestige pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the QX80 Pure has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride (9.6 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the QX80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The QX80 Luxe/Sport/Autograph’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the Telluride X-Pro (10 vs. 9.1 inches).

The QX80 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Telluride doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The QX80 has 2.4 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room, .8 inches more third row legroom and 7.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Telluride.

The QX80’s cargo area provides more volume than the Telluride.

The QX80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Telluride’s (8500 vs. 5000 pounds).

While the Telluride Hybrid can only tow 4000, any QX80 can tow a minimum of 8500 pounds.

The engine in the QX80 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 41% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Telluride SX/Prestige, the QX80 Sport/Autograph has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The QX80’s standard Infiniti Intelligent Key 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 QX80’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 QX80’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 Infiniti QX80 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 QX80 has standard heated front, second and third row seats; a heated third is standard on the QX80 Autograph, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Kia doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Telluride.

The QX80 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 QX80 and the Telluride offer available massaging front seats. The QX80 Autograph also has standard 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 Infiniti QX80 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the overhead console. 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.