Compare | Farmington, MO
Two three row SUVs we see on a lot of Farmington shopping lists, and how they stack up on the stuff families around St. Francois County do every week.
School's back, ball practice is four nights a week, and the old crossover is starting to feel small. That's usually when families in Farmington, Park Hills and Bonne Terre start looking at three row SUVs. Two names come up a lot: the Ford Explorer and the Kia Telluride.
Either one will seat a crowd and pull a small camper. They go about it differently, though, and you'll feel that on a gravel county road or a Saturday run to the lake. We're skipping the spec sheet here and talking about how each one fits the way people around here drive.
Quick answer: The Ford Explorer is built on a rear wheel drive layout with available four wheel drive, a 400 horsepower V6 on the ST, and a new off road Tremor model, so it suits families who tow, travel gravel roads or want more power. The Kia Telluride leans toward maximum passenger and cargo room, with seating for up to eight and a long factory powertrain warranty, so it suits families who carry more people than gear.
Ford Explorer towing
Up to 5,000 lbs with the standard Class III tow package
Kia Telluride towing
Up to 5,500 lbs when properly equipped
Seating
Explorer seats 6 or 7; Telluride seats up to 8
In this post
How Are the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride Built Differently?
The big difference is underneath. The Ford Explorer uses a rear wheel drive layout, with four wheel drive available on every trim and standard on the Tremor. Power goes to the rear wheels first, which helps when a trailer is hitched up and weight shifts back. The Kia Telluride is a front wheel drive design with all wheel drive available, the same basic layout most crossovers use.
Engines split the same way. Every Explorer runs a turbocharged EcoBoost engine with a 10 speed automatic. You get either a 2.3L four cylinder rated at 300 horsepower or a twin turbo 3.0L V6 rated at 400 horsepower, standard on the ST and available on the new Tremor. The Telluride uses one engine across the lineup, a 3.8L V6 rated at 291 horsepower with an 8 speed automatic.
Neither one's wrong. The Explorer gives you more choices and more power at the high end, and the Telluride keeps it simple with one V6 and a front drive setup that's easy to live with.

Which SUV Has More Room for Kids, Car Seats and Gear?
If you fill every seat most days, the Kia Telluride has the edge. It seats up to eight with a second row bench, or seven with captain's chairs, and it's rated at about 21 cubic feet behind the third row. That'll hold a stroller and a week of groceries with everybody on board.
The Ford Explorer seats six or seven depending on the second row, and it's rated at 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row. Fold that third row and the gap closes fast. If the way back is mostly for a kid's friend on the weekend or grandparents in from Fredericktown, the Explorer has plenty of room.
- Car seats: Bring your own car seat to the test drive. Fit varies more by seat than by SUV, so install it in both rows before you decide.
- Third row access: Check how easily the second row slides or tips with a car seat in place.
- Cargo floor: Measure your sports bags, coolers or dog crate against the space with all seats up.
Bring your own car seat to the test drive. Fit varies more by seat than by SUV.
Which Is Better for Towing and Gravel County Roads?
On paper the two are close. Every Ford Explorer comes with a Class III Trailer Tow Package and can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Kia Telluride tows up to 5,500 pounds on properly equipped versions such as the X-Pro, and 5,000 pounds on most others.
Where the layouts show up is in how they tow. A rear drive SUV with four wheel drive tends to feel planted pulling a pontoon up a wet ramp at Lake Wappapello or a pop up camper into a gravel campsite. The Explorer Tremor, new to the lineup for 2026, adds standard four wheel drive, extra ride height, a Torsen limited slip differential, underbody protection and all terrain tires. The Telluride X-Pro has all wheel drive, all terrain tires and a raised ride of its own, and it does fine on rutted driveways and forest roads.
Farmington driver tip
If your weekends include St. Joe State Park, the gravel roads out toward Mark Twain National Forest, or launching a boat at Clearwater Lake, drive both on a rough stretch, not just US 67. Ten minutes on washboard gravel will tell you a lot.
Shop Ford Explorer InventoryCompare Explorer Side by Side
What Technology Helps on the Commute to St. Louis?
Plenty of Farmington families have somebody driving north for work every day. For that drive, the Ford Explorer offers BlueCruise, Ford's hands free highway driving system, on prequalified sections of divided highway. BlueCruise hardware comes standard on the ST, the Platinum and the Tremor with the 3.0L V6, and it runs on a subscription after any included period. You also get a 13.2 inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a built in 5G modem.
The Kia Telluride offers its own adaptive cruise control and lane keeping features on many trims. Both have automatic emergency braking and blind spot monitoring, but exact equipment varies by trim, so check the window sticker on the one you're driving.
On connected Fords, the FordPass app will start the engine on a cold morning and let you book service from your phone.

How Do Warranty and Long Term Ownership Compare?
Factory coverage is a real point in Kia's favor. Kia backs the Telluride with a 5 year or 60,000 mile basic warranty and a 10 year or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty for the original owner. Ford's factory coverage on the Explorer is 3 years or 36,000 miles bumper to bumper and 5 years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain.
That's not the whole story if you're buying in Farmington. Every new Ford sold at Sam Scism Ford comes with Warranty Forever at no charge. It covers listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, as long as you follow the customary maintenance in the agreement and keep records. It's a dealer plan, not a factory warranty, and we're happy to walk you through it.
Where you get it serviced matters too. With a Ford dealer right on Flat River Road, oil changes and warranty work stay close to home. Ford Mobile Service can handle routine work at your house or office depending on distance and availability.
So Which Three Row SUV Fits Your Family?
Two things settle most of these: how you use the third row, and how often you hitch a trailer.
Fits you if
Ford Explorer
- You tow a camper, boat or utility trailer and like a rear drive feel
- You drive gravel roads and want four wheel drive or the off road Tremor
- You want more power, up to 400 horsepower from the V6
- You commute on the highway and want available BlueCruise
Fits you if
Kia Telluride
- You regularly carry seven or eight people
- You want the most cargo room behind the third row
- You prefer one simple V6 and a front drive based layout
- A longer factory powertrain warranty matters most to you
For the full side by side numbers on the Ford Explorer against the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse, see our Ford Explorer comparison page. When you're ready to sit in one, browse Ford Explorer inventory and set up a time to come see us. Bring your own car seat to the test drive. Fit varies more by seat than by SUV.
Warranty Forever
Every new Ford and most used vehicles sold at Sam Scism Ford include Warranty Forever at no charge. Listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts are covered for as long as you own the vehicle, regardless of miles, with no deductible. Keep up with the customary maintenance and records. See the dealer for details.
How it worksSize and Seating
Is the Kia Telluride bigger inside than the Ford Explorer?
Behind the third row, the Telluride has more cargo space, about 21 cubic feet against 16.3 for the Explorer. Fold the third row and the difference shrinks, so measure the gear you haul most.
How many people does the Ford Explorer seat?
Six or seven, depending on whether the second row has captain's chairs or a bench. The ST offers an available second row bench.
Can adults ride in the third row of either SUV?
They're both better for kids and short trips than long hauls. Have the tallest person in the family climb back there on each one.
Towing and Capability
Which tows more, the Ford Explorer or the Kia Telluride?
A properly equipped Telluride X-Pro is rated up to 5,500 pounds, while every Explorer is rated up to 5,000 pounds with its standard Class III tow package. For most campers and small boats around here, either one's got enough.
Is the Ford Explorer rear wheel drive?
Rear wheel drive is standard, and four wheel drive is available on every trim and standard on the Tremor. That layout helps with traction when a trailer adds weight over the rear axle.
What is the Ford Explorer Tremor?
It's the off road Explorer that joined the lineup for 2026, with standard four wheel drive, extra ride height, a Torsen limited slip differential, underbody protection and all terrain tires.
Power and Driving
How much horsepower does the Ford Explorer have?
The 2.3L EcoBoost is rated at 300 horsepower. The 3.0L EcoBoost V6, standard on the ST and available on the Tremor, is rated at 400 horsepower.
What engine does the Kia Telluride use?
Every Telluride uses a 3.8L V6 rated at 291 horsepower with an 8 speed automatic, in front wheel drive or all wheel drive.
Does the Ford Explorer offer hands free driving?
BlueCruise is available and comes standard on the ST, Platinum and Tremor with the 3.0L. It works on prequalified divided highways and needs an active subscription after any included period.
Warranty and Service
Does Kia have a longer warranty than Ford?
Kia's factory powertrain warranty runs 10 years or 100,000 miles for the original owner, longer than Ford's 5 years or 60,000 miles. Sam Scism Ford adds Warranty Forever powertrain coverage on every new Ford it sells, at no charge.
Is Warranty Forever a Ford factory warranty?
It's a Sam Scism Ford plan, not a factory one. You'll need to follow the customary maintenance in the agreement, it doesn't transfer, and covered repairs within 150 miles get done at our store.
Where can I get my Ford Explorer serviced near Farmington?
Our service center at 5019 Flat River Road works on every Explorer, and you can call 573-430-1693 to book. Ford Mobile Service can also come to you for routine work, depending on distance.
Shopping and Test Drives
Does Sam Scism Ford have a Ford Explorer comparison page?
Our Explorer comparison page lines it up against the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse with side by side specs. It's a good companion to this post.
Can I trade in my current SUV toward an Explorer?
We appraise any make in any condition, including vehicles you still owe on. Get a trade offer online first, and we'll confirm it in person.
What should I bring to an Explorer test drive?
Bring the car seats and your license. If there's a cooler or ball bag that rides along every week, throw that in too and see where it fits.
Research the Ford Explorer
Trims, features and options for the current Explorer lineup.
Explorer Research