2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had a robust and angular design that set it apart from its softer predecessors. Its trapezoidal grille, borrowed from Toyota's truck line, added a sense of heft, while the beveled and angled bodywork framed the headlights, giving it a more substantial appearance. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid continued the angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts. The materials used were average for its class, with hard plastics prevalent but lightly padded surfaces where contact was frequent. The base model and the new Woodland trim opted for a urethane steering wheel, which felt cheap, but higher trims offered a leather-wrapped option. Overall, the build quality was strong, with no noticeable creaks or squeaks during drives.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, especially with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that could appear jarring in lighter shades but blended well in darker ones. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile showcased unique faceted fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, while the rear view 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. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the silver button labeling was hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm, but the surrounding materials were excellent for the class.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, producing a combined 219 horsepower. This setup allowed the RAV4 to accelerate to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, making it quicker than the standard RAV4 but slightly slower than the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime. The brakes operated smoothly, transitioning from regenerative to physical braking without noticeable shifts. The suspension provided a comfortable ride over bumps and potholes, delivering confident cornering without being sporty. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid offered a calm and effortless driving experience, similar to its rivals.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid version added electric motors, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Telluride Hybrid was paired with a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The vehicle delivered a smooth and quiet ride, with the transition between electric and gas power being undetectable. The X-Pro Prestige trim offered a comfortable ride despite its off-road suspension, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride was composed and controllable on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered ample front seat space for larger passengers, while the rear seats accommodated average-sized adults. The rear headroom was slightly more than the Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage, but legroom was a bit less. The rear seat cushions were set low, which might have left taller passengers wishing for more thigh support. The cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet, only slightly smaller than the non-hybrid RAV4, and comparable to its rivals. Interior storage was a strong point, with a wide dashboard shelf, a phone tray, large cupholders, and a spacious center armrest bin.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low-mounted seat cushions. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel fore and aft, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, with a maximum capacity of 89.3 cubic feet when the seats were folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride also offered ample storage for smaller items, with a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and additional trays and bins throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a new infotainment system with modern graphics and logically arranged menus. Most trims came with an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but a wireless charging pad was optional. The system supported over-the-air updates and included a Wi-Fi hotspot. The top trim offered a fully digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it occasionally required a hard 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.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. It came standard with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. Higher trims added features like a blind-spot monitor, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. It included standard safety features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and side parking proximity sensors. The driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was particularly helpful on longer trips.