Compare the2026 Nissan ArmadaVS 2027 Kia Telluride

The Nissan Armada 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 Armada 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Nissan Armada weighs 614 to 1735 pounds more than the Kia Telluride. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Nissan Armada has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Telluride has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Armada’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Telluride runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 34 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Armada’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

The Armada’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 151 more horsepower (425 vs. 274) and 205 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 311) than the Telluride’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Armada’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 96 more horsepower (425 vs. 329) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 339) than the Telluride’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Armada NISMO’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 131 more horsepower (460 vs. 329) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 339) than the Telluride’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Armada 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 Armada has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 19 gallons).

The Armada 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 Nissan Armada, 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 Armada’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Telluride:

For better traction, the Armada has larger standard tires than the Telluride (265/70R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Armada SL/Platinum’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (275/60R20 vs. 265/45R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Armada Platinum Reserve/NISMO has standard 22-inch wheels. The Telluride’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

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

For greater off-road capability the Armada SV has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride (9.6 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the Armada to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Armada PRO-4X’s minimum ground clearance is 2.5 inches higher than on the Telluride X-Pro (11.6 vs. 9.1 inches).

The Armada has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 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 Armada’s cargo area provides more volume than the Telluride.

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

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

The engine in the Armada 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 Armada’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 Armada’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 Armada SL/Platinum/PRO-4X/NISMO’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.