Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $61,180 (Base EX Trim MSRP): $48,035
Seating Capacity: 7 or 8
Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a rearview camera; a surround view monitor with forward ground view; a blind spot collision avoidance assist; rear cross traffic avoidance; a lane keep assist system; a lane following assist system; a high beam assist; a forward collision assist system; a vehicle stability system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a hill start assist; a hill start assist system; dash camera; a temporary spare tire and a tire pressure monitoring system
Options: exterior paint color; carpeted floor; towing hitch; all-season floor liners; cargo net; cargo cover; carpet cargo mat with seatback protection
Other Trim Levels:
Kia Telluride non hybrid models
Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: an 14-speaker Meridian audio system with AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM
Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes (test model)
Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard
USB Connectivity: Standard
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
Hybrid Battery Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
Standard Engine/Horsepower (Test Vehicle): 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder turbo hybrid/329-hp
Recommended Fuel: Regular
Standard Fuel Mileage: 30-city/32-hwy (test model)
Towing: 5,000 lbs (test model)
What’s New: The second-generation Telluride wears an all-new Land Rover-ish like design, while maximizing mileage with the vehicle’s first hybrid powertrain.
Why:
A bolder rugged design
A hybrid powertrain, producing 500 to 600 miles on a full tank
A variety of trims
Larger than the previous generation
Multiple driving modes with the ability to drive through flooded steets
An affordable three-row SUV
AWD or front wheel drive configuration
A balanced car-ride
An easy-to-use infotainment system
Spacious interior
A massaging driver’s seat
Pseudo leather interior
Heated/ventilated front and second row seats
Second row captain chairs
Dual smartphone charging pads
A high-level of safety driving aids
A radar-activated co-pilot steering system
Heated seats available throughout the entire cabin
A remote parking assist system
21-inch wheels available
Power adjustable and reclining seats throughout the cabin
Easy to use second-row seats allows access to third-row
Hands-free, power operated liftgate
One of the best new-vehicle and powertrain warranties in the segment
The Telluride hybrid offers more driving range and horsepower than the Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid
But:
The Telluride hybrid is priced slightly higher than Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid and Hyundai Palisade hybrid
Limited cargo room when third row is occupied
Unable to unlock and lock second row exterior doors from the outside without using the keyless fob
Verdict: While we were in awe with Kia’s first Telluride, the all-new rugged designed 2027 model, with its non-descript blacked-out facia, continues to push the envelope creating a cult-like love fest. At a starting price in the $48,000 range, the Telluride is the perfect inflationary three-row vehicle to combat inflationary gas prices. The hybrid model is priced approximately $3,000 more than a gasoline model Telluride.
Unlike the gasoline powered Kia Telluride, the hybrid model is only available in three trims. And according to fueleconomy.gov, the car-based SUV garners 30 miles in the city and 32 on the highway, offering a total driving range of 627 miles. That’s highly exceptional for a vehicle of this size.
Moreover, the 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain produces 329-horsepower and 339-lb feet of torque, making it the perfect vehicle for tooling around the city or making cross country trips. Currently, the only other hybrid in this segment is the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid. The Toyota offers slightly more driving range, MPG and a longer battery powertrain.
In addition to the hyper mileage powertrain in the Telluride, the bold looking vehicle, with its composed car-like ride, can be outfitted with a host of luxury and high-tech features.
Those features range from dual charging pads to a semi-massaging driver’s seat to a remote parking assist system to heated seats throughout all three rows. Moreover, the thoughtfully designed interior includes a relatively easy-to-use driver’s information center combined with an infotainment center.
Added to that, the Telluride hybrid, which is available in a front wheel drive or an AWD configuration is capable of towing up to 5,000 lbs. Moreover, we found it to be a capable vehicle, too when driving through Atlanta's flooded streets, after a severe rainstorm. We found this to be one of the few vehicles we felt comfortable being behind the wheels.
Overall, with the exception of offering hands-free driving, the well-crafted Telluride encompasses almost everything one can imagine for a fraction of the cost one would pay if they step into one of the legacy luxury brands.
Competition: 2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid and 2026 Toyota Grand
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