2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV was Chevrolet's smallest all-electric SUV, closely resembling the Blazer EV in size and design. It featured a rounded and graceful exterior, with gently flared fenders and a horizontal light stripe that gave it a futuristic look. The interior shared similarities with the Blazer EV, boasting beveled dual screens for instrumentation and infotainment. While the outward visibility was generally good, the louvered dashboard top sometimes caused reflections that could be distracting. Material quality was typical for a compact SUV, with hard plastic surfaces and lightly padded touchpoints, making the Equinox EV an attractive yet unremarkable choice in its class.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, faceless grille. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with the X-Line and X-Pro models offering distinctive grille styles and amber accent lights. The side profile featured angular fender sculpting and unique black plastic tabs, while the rear view resembled a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's interior was simple and modern, with a horizontal dashboard layout. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though some button labeling was difficult to read. The seats were covered in synthetic leather and suede, with excellent material quality and various trim options available.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV came standard with a 220-horsepower electric motor and front-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel-drive version offering a combined output of 300 hp. It featured an 85-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, providing an EPA-estimated range of up to 319 miles for the front-drive model and 307 miles for the AWD variant. The Equinox EV's charging options included an 11.5 kW AC charger, a 19.2-kW upgrade, and a 150 kW DC fast charger. The front-drive model reached 60 mph in 8.0 seconds, while the AWD version did so in 6.0 seconds. The ride quality was smooth, and the cabin was quieter than a gas-powered SUV, though some highway boominess was noted.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid was powered by 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. It featured a six-speed transmission and was available in the X-Line trim. The Telluride Hybrid offered a smooth and quiet ride, with a seamless transition between electric and gas power. The X-Pro Prestige trim provided off-road capabilities, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV offered comfortable front seats with adequate padding and support. Most features were operated through touchscreen menus, with physical knobs and buttons for climate controls. The rear seats were flatter and firmer, with limited thigh support but ample headroom and legroom. Storage space was adequate, with a 26.4 cubic-foot cargo capacity and an optional hands-free power liftgate. However, there was no front trunk.

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 second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, and a reclining feature. The middle-row seats offered significant seat travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with up to 89.3 cubic feet available. 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 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. It was powered by Google Built-in, offering map, traffic, and productivity features. However, the lack of Apple CarPlay integration was a significant drawback. The six-speaker audio system was unimpressive, with no premium audio upgrade available.

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. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. The infotainment system was easy to use, though some delays and hard taps were noted. The Telluride SX trim and above featured a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, delivering powerful bass and clear tones.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with advanced safety features such as frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. Optional packages included a surround-view camera system, semi-automated parking, and Super Cruise hands-free highway driving.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid's crash test scores were not available at the time of writing. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, and automatic reverse braking. The highway driving assist was particularly helpful on longer trips.