The Kia Telluride has been one of the most talked-about three-row SUVs on the market for the past several years, and it earns its reputation. For Long Island families who have it on their list alongside the 2026 Subaru Ascent, the comparison is genuinely competitive — two strong vehicles at similar price points, aimed at similar buyers, with meaningfully different approaches to the same job. This guide covers the specific differences that matter for Nassau County families.
Bottom Line: The Ascent and Telluride are both excellent three-row family SUVs. The Ascent’s advantages are standard AWD on every trim, a standard comprehensive safety suite, a higher tow rating, and a single-engine focus. The Telluride’s advantages are a broader powertrain selection, a slightly larger interior footprint in some measurements, and a lower entry price on certain trims. Neither is a clear winner for every buyer.
- Ascent: AWD standard on every single trim, no exceptions; Telluride: AWD is an available option but not standard on base configurations
- Both include advanced safety technology as standard; specific features vary by trim
- Ascent tows up to 5,000 lbs; Telluride tows up to 5,500 lbs (depending on configuration)
- Ascent available from three Nassau County and Long Island Subaru dealers
The AWD Difference
This is the most important spec difference for Long Island buyers. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every 2026 Ascent trim — Premium, Limited, Bronze Edition, Touring, and Onyx Edition Touring. There is no FWD Ascent. You cannot accidentally buy the wrong configuration and find out later you have front-wheel drive.
The Telluride offers AWD as a well-executed option, but front-wheel drive is available on base configurations. For buyers who want AWD certainty without needing to carefully verify the configuration, the Ascent eliminates the variable entirely.
For Long Island driving specifically — where January storms can leave the Southern State Parkway icy and March slush is common — AWD that is always present is a practical benefit over AWD that requires intentional selection during the buying process.
Safety Technology Comparison
Both vehicles include advanced driver assistance technology as standard. The specific implementations differ:
Subaru Ascent:
- EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering — standard on all trims
- EyeSight Assist Monitor and HUD (heads-up display) — standard
- Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert — standard on Premium and above
- Reverse Automatic Braking — standard
- Emergency Stop Assist and Emergency Lane Keep Assist — standard
- DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System — standard on Limited and above
Kia Telluride:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist — standard
- Lane Keeping Assist — standard
- Driver Attention Warning — standard
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning — standard on most trims
- Surround View Monitor — available on higher trims
Both vehicles take driver safety seriously at the factory level. The Ascent’s EyeSight is a stereo-camera based system that Subaru has continuously refined; the Telluride uses Kia’s standard forward-facing camera and radar approach. Both are effective systems — the distinction matters more for buyers who want to compare specific feature availability by trim than for making a categorical safety judgment.
Powertrain
The 2026 Ascent uses a single powertrain across all trims: a 2.4-liter DOHC Intercooled Turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine producing 260 horsepower, paired with Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT with paddle-shift controls and 8-speed manual mode.
The Telluride offers multiple powertrain options depending on configuration, including a standard V6 and available hybrid variant in certain trims, with traditional automatic transmission.
For buyers who want a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Ascent’s 2.4L turbo is a natural choice. For buyers who prefer a traditional V6, the Telluride’s standard powertrain may feel more familiar. Neither engine is definitively superior for family use — the Ascent’s turbo provides responsive mid-range power without the weight of a V6, which works well for Long Island stop-and-go driving.
Seating and Configuration
| Specification | 2026 Subaru Ascent | Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Max Seating | 8 passengers | 8 passengers |
| AWD Standard | Yes — every trim | Optional on base |
| Max Towing | 5,000 lbs | 5,500 lbs |
| Turbocharged Engine | Standard (all trims) | Available (not base) |
| Off-Road Mode | X-MODE (all); Dual X-MODE (Limited+) | Available on select trims |
| Standard Warranty | 3yr/36k basic; 5yr/60k powertrain | 5yr/60k basic; 10yr/100k powertrain |
Warranty: A Meaningful Difference
The Kia Telluride carries Kia’s industry-leading warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile basic coverage and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. The Subaru Ascent carries Subaru’s standard 3-year/36,000-mile basic and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The warranty difference is real and factors into the total ownership cost comparison. For buyers who plan to keep the vehicle beyond the standard warranty period, Kia’s extended coverage provides more protection. For buyers who typically trade or sell within the warranty window, the difference is less impactful.
Who Should Buy the Ascent vs. the Telluride
The Ascent is the better choice for:
- Buyers who want AWD certainty without needing to verify configuration
- Buyers who value the EyeSight safety suite specifically, including Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering as standard
- Buyers who want X-MODE off-road capability on every trim
- Buyers who prefer the Boxer engine architecture and want the turbocharged power delivery it provides
The Telluride is the better choice for:
- Buyers who want a longer factory warranty
- Buyers who prefer a traditional V6 powertrain
- Buyers who want higher towing capacity (5,500 lbs vs. 5,000 lbs)
- Buyers who start from a lower entry price point and don’t need AWD on the base configuration
"The Telluride is a legitimate competitor — I tell every buyer that upfront. The question I ask is whether they want AWD on their vehicle guaranteed, regardless of which trim they choose. If that's important to them, the Ascent makes that decision simple. The Telluride makes you confirm the configuration. For Long Island buyers who deal with real winters, that certainty matters."
General Manager, Grand Prix Subaru
Safety data sourced from NHTSA vehicle ratings and IIHS crash test results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ascent or Telluride better for Long Island winters? Both are capable winter vehicles when properly equipped with AWD. The Ascent has the advantage of AWD being standard on every trim — there is no risk of purchasing an FWD configuration. The Telluride with AWD performs well, but the buyer must verify the configuration. For Long Island winters, the Ascent’s always-on AWD standard is a practical advantage.
Which has better safety technology — Ascent or Telluride? Both have strong factory safety suites. The Ascent’s EyeSight with Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering is a comprehensive implementation that is standard across all trims. The Telluride has comparable base safety technology. Feature-by-feature comparisons at specific trim levels are the most accurate way to evaluate this.
Does the Telluride have a better warranty than the Ascent? Yes. Kia’s warranty on the Telluride is significantly longer: 5-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain. Subaru’s Ascent warranty is 3-year/36,000-mile basic and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain.
Can I test drive both vehicles in Nassau County? Grand Prix Subaru in Hicksville carries the full Ascent lineup for test drives. Kia dealers in Nassau County carry the Telluride.
Find the Ascent at Grand Prix Subaru
Grand Prix Subaru in Hicksville serves Nassau County with the full 2026 Ascent lineup.
View current Ascent inventory at Grand Prix Subaru and schedule a test drive to make the comparison with the vehicle in your hands.