2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid emerged as a bold departure from its predecessors, showcasing a dramatic new design that was both longer and wider. Its sharp, angular cues and distinctive grille, which seamlessly integrated with the LED headlights, gave it a futuristic appearance. The Tucson's exterior was a gamble, with its hard creases and aggressive styling, which some found appealing while others questioned its longevity. Inside, the Tucson offered a spacious and airy cabin, with a center console that felt bulkier than necessary but provided an unobstructed view thanks to the integrated infotainment display and hoodless driver information display. The interior was equipped with features like heated front seats, a proximity key, and a range of ambient lighting options, enhancing the overall driving experience.

In contrast, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold reinterpretation of its design, which polarized opinions with its flat, faceless grille and body-colored vertical strakes. The Telluride's exterior varied significantly with color and trim, with the X-Line and X-Pro models offering distinctive grille blocks and amber accent lights. The side profile featured unique faceted fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, while the rear adopted a Range Rover-like style with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the labeling on the buttons was difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided comfort, though the cushions were somewhat firm for longer drives.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its performance, featuring a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This setup provided a noticeably quicker experience compared to the gas-powered Tucson. The Tucson Hybrid's steering was responsive and direct, managed by a six-speed automatic transmission. Its suspension excelled at absorbing road imperfections while maintaining balance through corners. Fuel economy was commendable, with the EPA rating it at 37 mpg city, 36 highway, and 37 combined, slightly better than the gas model. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even greater efficiency with an 80 MPGe rating and 33 miles of all-electric range.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid version added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, boosting output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Telluride Hybrid's powertrain was mated to a six-speed transmission, providing a smooth and quiet ride. The transition between electric and gas power was seamless, with the engine remaining quiet even under stress. The Telluride's suspension delivered a comfortable ride, with the X-Pro Prestige trim offering surprising comfort despite its off-road suspension. The Telluride's handling was composed and controllable, though not particularly sporty, and the brake response was immediate during panic stops.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered impressive cargo space, with 38.8 cubic feet in the trunk and 74.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. It provided excellent front and rear legroom, with over 41 inches each, and the rear seats reclined for added comfort. The Tucson's cargo floor featured a dual-level system, allowing for a flat loading floor or maximized space. The interior was equipped with angled bottle holders, cupholders, and ambient lighting, adding flair to the cabin.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rear seats were better suited for smaller passengers due to low-mounted cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cu-ft behind the third row and up to 89.3 cu-ft with the seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, or 4,500 for the Hybrid.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Limited trim, though it only utilized about 8 inches for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, requiring a wired connection. The interface controls were touch-capacitive buttons, which could be frustrating to use, but steering-wheel controls offered an alternative. The Tucson provided numerous USB ports, a beautiful touchscreen display, and a Bose premium stereo.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control touchscreen. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with dual wireless phone chargers. The system was user-friendly, though it required a firm tap to register inputs. The Telluride offered customizable themes for the infotainment screen and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system in the SX trim and above, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, and more. The Limited trim added a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist, and unique features like a blind-spot view monitor and remote smart park assist. The Tucson received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid also offered a robust set of standard safety features, such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims included a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was particularly effective on long trips.