2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid was reminiscent of a pair of "dad jeans"—practical and offering great value, yet lacking modern flair. Despite a refresh in 2021, its design appeared outdated compared to newer crossovers like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Sorento. The Santa Fe's exterior featured a handsome grille and flush-mounted headlights, but its overall silhouette was soft and lacked the chiseled strength of contemporary SUVs. The vehicle's length, at 188.4 inches, placed it awkwardly between compact and three-row crossovers, resulting in a two-row midsize configuration. Inside, the Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized function over style, with a massive center console filled with physical controls, making it easy to use but not particularly stylish.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, especially with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that blended better in darker shades. The side profile showcased angular fender sculpting and unique black plastic tabs, while the rear resembled a Range Rover with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride Hybrid offered a simple, modern dashboard with a buttonless appearance. The SX Prestige trim featured a luxurious two-tone interior, though the silver and cream-colored buttons were hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were firm but comfortable, and the surrounding materials were of excellent quality.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid delivered a balanced performance with its 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 44.2-kW electric motor, producing a combined 226 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It offered impressive fuel economy estimates of 33 mpg city, 30 highway, and 32 combined. The power was managed through a six-speed automatic transmission, and the HTRAC AWD system could split power between the front and rear wheels as needed. The Santa Fe Hybrid was not the quickest but provided a quiet and comfortable ride, with noise insulation and suspension handling rough roads effectively.

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 and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Telluride Hybrid was paired with a six-speed transmission and offered a smooth, quiet ride. The transition between electric and gas power was seamless, and the vehicle handled well on various terrains. The Telluride's suspension provided a comfortable ride, even with the stiffer setup of the Hybrid SX Prestige trim. The vehicle was composed on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a shift-by-wire, push-button transmission, freeing up space below the center stack. However, the stack itself was massive, with limited storage space. Rear passengers enjoyed 40.8 inches of legroom, and the vehicle offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Santa Fe Hybrid's interior included heated and ventilated front seats with real leather upholstery, and the SEL Premium trim received H-Tex leatherette upholstery.

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 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 Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 89.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The vehicle also offered a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and additional storage options throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid came equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, offering Over-The-Air map updates and dynamic voice recognition. The infotainment system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though both required a wired connection. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, along with a Hyundai digital key for advanced connectivity. The Limited trim featured a 12-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with dual wireless phone chargers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required firm taps and had some delays. The Telluride SX trim and above featured a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized safety with features like a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Standard safety equipment included adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, and more. The Santa Fe Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered standard advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added 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 helpful on long trips.