A Total Surprise: Ford Explorer Tremor vs. Kia Telluride X-Pro Off-Road

Are off-road SUVs like the Ford Explorer Tremor and Kia Telluride X-Pro actually capable, or just for show? We hit the dirt for a full off-road test to find out! Run a VIN check or license plate search to uncover maintenance history, open recalls, and title statuses before you buy at http://bumper.com/edmunds Ford Explorer Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/ford/explorer/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube Kia Telluride Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/kia/telluride/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube More Edmunds Off-Road Videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSQoIGhBLpQDeQneqE2nF_dUCPopWG51 Appraisal Tool - https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube Car Listings - https://www.edmunds.com/new-cars-for-sale/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube Ratings and Reviews - https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/?utm_campaign=video_description&utm_source=youtube 00:00 Intro 00:28 What We've Got 00:55 Hill Climb 05:03 Articulation (Ziggurat of Integrity) 07:32 Washboard Trail Driving 10:15 Sandy Wash Runs 13:14 Value 14:07 Edmunds' Take Everyone seems to be getting into off-road vehicles these days, but are these rugged trim levels legit, or are they just for show? We decided to take two highly popular three-row soft roaders—the Ford Explorer Tremor and the Kia Telluride X-Pro—out to the dirt for a rigorous off-road test to see what they can really handle. First up, the Ford Explorer Tremor brings some serious hardware to the trail. It features a dedicated terrain management system, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. It also boasts an impressive 24.1-degree approach angle, making it quite capable on uneven terrain. Under the hood, you can get a 300-horsepower four-cylinder or upgrade to a stout 400-horsepower V6, though the latter requires the pricey Tremor Ultimate package. In the other corner, we have the Kia Telluride X-Pro. Kia upgraded this model with an advanced electronic limited-slip differential, wider all-terrain tires, and a multi-terrain AWD mode. With 9.1 inches of ground clearance, it edges out the Ford on paper. While it might not have the pure torque of the Ford, the Telluride remains incredibly comfortable on both the trail and the road, making it our top pick for daily family duty. When looking at value, the Telluride X-Pro starts at roughly $55,000 and tops out near $60,000 for a fully loaded SX Prestige. The Explorer Tremor starts lower around $50,000, but checking the boxes for the V6 and other tech features easily pushes it over the $65,000 mark. So, which off-road SUV is the better buy? Watch our full comparison as we tackle steep hill climbs, washboards, and our infamous Ziggurat of Truth to crown a definitive winner! If this kind of video is helpful to you and you want to support us making more work like this in the future, hitting the like, subscribe, and notification bell buttons goes a long way. Disclaimer: This video's description was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by the Edmunds editorial team. The video itself was created entirely without the use of generative AI. https://www.instagram.com/edmundscars https://www.facebook.com/edmunds https://www.tiktok.com/@edmunds https://twitter.com/edmunds https://www.reddit.com/user/edmundscars #FordExplorer #KiaTelluride #Edmunds