2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its fresh and distinctive appearance from the previous year, making it stand out in the crossover class. Its design featured a largely flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars, giving even the gas-powered models a futuristic look. The Kona's design, with its myriad curves, bulges, and sharp angles, created a satisfactory visual appeal from most angles. The newer model was noticeably larger, about six inches longer, which improved interior space and gave it a more assertive road presence. The Kona N Line S and N Line trims offered a sportier design with body-colored bumpers and cladding, while other trims like SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, and Limited added visual enhancements such as larger alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, maintaining a solid construction and airy feel, with the addition of 64-color ambient interior lighting as standard on higher trims.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions. Its grille, spanning the entire width of the front end, had a flat, faceless look that divided opinions. The Telluride's personality varied with color and trim level, with body-colored vertical strakes at each edge. In lighter colors, these strakes appeared jarring, while in darker shades, they blended harmoniously. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced the strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile showcased unique faceted and angular fender sculpting, with unusual black plastic tabs atop each wheel well. The rear view adopted a different style, with rounded corners and vertical taillights reminiscent of a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the labeling on buttons was difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided comfort, though the cushions were somewhat firm.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and gas-powered options. The gas-powered Kona came with two engine choices. The SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience trims featured a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This setup prioritized fuel efficiency but had a 'rubber band' sensation during acceleration. The N Line S, N Line, and Limited trims offered a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, though it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup for an additional $1,500, offering active on-demand drive to the rear axle and a dedicated Snow mode. AWD models featured a multi-link rear suspension for improved ride and handling.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total output of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid system was mated to a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. The standard Telluride featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard on midrange trims and above, with a $2,000 option for other trims. The Telluride's ride was tuned for comfort, delivering a smooth experience. The X-Pro Prestige trim offered a comfortable ride despite its lifted off-road suspension, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride handled well on winding roads, providing confidence, though it wasn't particularly sporty.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a surprising amount of cargo space, with 25.5 cubic feet of capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet when folded. The trunk featured a dual-level cargo floor, enhancing versatility. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, with 38.3 inches of headroom, providing adequate space for passengers. The front seats offered a generous range of movement, and the steering wheel was adjustable for reach and height. The interior featured excellent storage options, with numerous shelves, trays, and cubbies. Upholstery varied by trim, with cloth on SE, SEL, and SEL Convenience, Alcantara sport seats on N Line S and N Line, and H-Tex leatherette on Limited. Heating and ventilation options progressed from basic air conditioning on SE to dual-zone automatic climate control on higher trims.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The seat cushions were mounted low, reducing thigh support for adults, but headroom and legroom were adequate. The elevated seating position in the third row offered a better view. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, though they took longer to slide and tilt forward for third-row access. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, expanding to 48.7 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded. All trims featured buttons in the cargo area to fold the second-row seatbacks flat, offering up to 89.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, with the Hybrid towing up to 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, offering good graphics and clear menu layouts. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, with wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai's digital key available on SEL Convenience trim and above. The SE and SEL trims had a 4.2-inch color multi-information display, while higher trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The N Line and Limited trims offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while lower trims had a six-speaker setup. Built-in navigation was available on SEL Convenience, N Line, and Limited trims. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates.

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 LX and S trims had a smaller 4.2-inch instrument panel. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was easy to use, though there were delays in response and the climate control screen was difficult to use while driving. The Telluride offered customization options for the infotainment screen, including themes from various brand collaborations. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system was available on the SX trim and above, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims added features like Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Limited trim offered parking assistance features. All Konas included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and parking proximity sensors. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride also had a driver attention monitor, though it had operational issues at night. The highway driving assist was effective on longer trips, maintaining lane position and speed smoothly.