My wife's old 2-row SUV has crapped out and we're looking at moving to the 3-row SUV with kids in the future. She's pretty set on either a Telluride or a Pathfinder.

Probably going to get a gently used one that's only a year or two old with low mileage. She really likes the Telluride but we've heard about issues with reliability. Haven't really heard about issues with the Pathfinder.

Any recommendations or things we should look for?

What reliability issues?

Seen some complaints about Kia and transmission issues (might be old news at this point). Have a friend who is the regional manager for National Tire and Battery/Midas that said Tellurides like to leak oil from the housing and that the part is always on backorder.

Hyundai Palisade = Telluride

Pathfinder will have greater depreciation relative to new if you are going the used route ie better value

If you're thinking of having kids then just go with a Suburban or minivan.

We have been happy with 2022 Pathfinder so far! I love the interior and features, and knock on wood it has been reliable. I recognize it is not as "luxurious" as other brands but ticks all the boxes and is worth a test drive. We also have a Toyota Highlander and I prefer the interior of the Pathfinder personally.

One thing is that the Pathfinder 3rd row is totally boxed in whereas the Highlander has a pass-through between rear seat captains chairs. In case that is an issue for yall. We only use the 3rd row occasionally and my son likes being in his "cave."

Gx460 doesn't drive that great.

GX460 drives better than most SUVs out there built to be a SUV (not a Macan type). In fact one of the gripes of the new GX550 is that it lost some of the specialness feeling of the 460. Also will be bullet proof and value will always be higher than completion.

No but I've ridden in the neighbors several times. It is nice inside but lately it's been in the shop several times for various issues.
We have been happy with two different gx's since 2016. Glad to have the Awd the few times it has been needed in ice/ snow. Reliability is more important to us than the latest tech. Great dealership service and the loaner car always provided by the service department make it a deal or us.

Having driven a lit of rentals. I'd go with the Nissan over the Kia.

I have no idea on Kia / Nissan cost. Seems like the new 23 gx was around 63. Luxury edition 71 iirc.
Sold our 16 gx with 102k miles for 25 last year which was almost half what we had purchased it for.

Look at a Grand Highlander from Toyota if serious about third row, but don't want a full size Tahoe or Minivan. It'll have the best third row of the mid size suv and be extremely reliable.

Pathfinder and Highlander. Everything else is a compromise.

Subaru Ascent for the win, AWD and the wife loves her Onyx Edition..

Kia or Hyundai over Nissan. If you go Pathfinder, do not under any circumstances get one from 2020 or earlier as they come with the CVT