We love a good battle among SUVs, and today we have two contenders with three rows. The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is stepping into the ring to fight the 2021 Kia Telluride. But does the new Nissan Pathfinder have what it takes to dethrone the Kia Telluride? 

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder vs. the 2021 Kia Telluride 

The first important thing to consider among battling SUVs is price. The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder begins at about $33,410 and the Kia Telluride starts at around $32,190. These prices are for the base models without all-wheel drive. Also, we provided the MSRP, so these prices don’t include the destination fees or dealership markups. 

Adding all-wheel drive to the Pathfinder costs about $1,900. It costs about $2,000 to add AWD to the Telluride. This is something to consider if you will find yourself camping, driving in snow, or in other slippery conditions. 

So, the Pathfinder is a little more expensive, but the Telluride is slightly thirstier. The 2022 Pathfinder gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. The Telluride gets about 20 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg on the highway. 

Does the Pathfinder or Telluride have more power? 

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder has a carryover engine from the previous generation. It comes with the 3.5-liter V6 that generates 283 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. A new nine-speed automatic transmission replaces the old continuously variable automatic transmission. 

With the 2021 Kia Telluride, you get a 3.8-liter V6 with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. When properly equipped, the Telluride can tow up to 5,000 lbs while the Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 lbs. 

That extra 1,000 lbs could make a difference with towing larger trailers and medium-sized campers. Also, the Telluride can carry a payload of up to 1,664 lbs, while the Pathfinder can carry up to 1,583 lbs. 

The Kia Telluride can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.4 seconds. The Nissan Pathfinder isn’t far behind and can reach 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds. Both the Telluride and Pathfinder feature a smooth ride with a quiet interior and limited body roll. 

Does the Telluride or Pathfinder have a better interior? 

The 2021 Kia Telluride and 2022 Nissan Pathfinder both provide a luxury feel with the option of captain’s chairs in the second row. It might be easier to access the third row in the back of the Telluride. 

The Pathfinder offers 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row with up to 80.5 cubic feet total. With the Telluride, you get 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row with up to 87 cubes total. 

In the Pathfinder, a 9.0-inch infotainment display comes standard. The Telluride has a standard 8.0-inch screen that can be upgraded to a 10.0-inch unit. Both SUVs come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both SUVs come with standard automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. 

Deciding between the Nissan Pathfinder and Kia Telluride seems challenging. While the Pathfinder offers more muscle for towing, the Telluride has more space and possibly a more comfortable interior. We recommend test driving them both.

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