2025 Kia Sorento vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Kia Sorento presented a somewhat perplexing lineup with its gas-only models, featuring core trims like LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The latter three trims upgraded from a basic 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to a more robust turbocharged version of the same engine. The EX and SX trims could be enhanced with an X-Line appearance package, which was standard on the SX Prestige. This package included blacked-out exterior trim and detailing, while the top-tier X-Pro SX Prestige came fully loaded with exclusive features. The 2025 model introduced Panthera Gray as a new color, replacing Gravity Gray, and the X-Line and X-Pro versions sported black badges. The test vehicle, a 2024 model, lacked these badges but otherwise mirrored the 2025 offerings, including the Road Rider Brown paint color, which cleverly concealed dirt. The interior, featuring an Olive Brown color scheme, was a mix of luxury and practicality, with leather seats, an artificial suede headliner, and a 24-inch panoramic display. The MSRP for the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige was $49,405, including destination charges.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold redesign that divided opinions, particularly with its flat, expansive grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with different colors and trims, 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 was marked by angular fender sculpting and unique 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 Hybrid boasted a simple, modern dashboard with a two-tone palette in the SX Prestige Executive package, offering a luxurious feel reminiscent of Volvo. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm, but the surrounding materials were of excellent quality. Various trim surfaces were available, including engineered wood and carbon, adding to the vehicle's upscale appeal.

The 2025 Kia Sorento offered two engine options: a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for the LX and S trims, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque for the higher trims. The turbo engine provided a more satisfying driving experience, with a combined EPA gas mileage rating of 23 mpg. The Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige, equipped with 17-inch wheels and BF Goodrich Trail Terrain tires, delivered a smooth ride and impressive grip on winding roads. The all-wheel-drive models featured torque vectoring and a locking center differential, enhancing traction and nimbleness on various terrains. The dual-clutch automatic transmission, while efficient, required some acclimation due to its unique shifting feel. The Sorento excelled in daily driving, with its size, dynamics, and visibility making it a pleasure to drive in various settings.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system, paired with a six-speed transmission, offered a seamless transition between electric and gas power, providing a quiet and powerful driving experience. The Telluride Hybrid was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was offered in the X-Line trim, which mimicked the X-Pro's appearance. The vehicle delivered a luxuriously smooth ride, with the X-Pro Prestige trim offering surprising comfort despite its lifted off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections. The Telluride's handling was composed and controllable, instilling confidence on winding roads, though the brake pedal required some adjustment due to its soft effort.

The 2025 Kia Sorento was well-suited for a family of four, with spacious first and second rows and a third-row seat that could accommodate adults for short trips. The X-Pro SX Prestige trim featured heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way power adjustment, while the second-row passengers enjoyed heated seats, sunshades, USB ports, and air conditioning vents. The Sorento offered generous storage space throughout the cabin, with a cargo capacity of 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 38.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet. These figures compared favorably with larger compact crossovers, though the Sorento provided more power and a third-row seat.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the third-row seat cushions were mounted low, reducing thigh support. The elevated seating position offered a better view, and the second-row seats in the Hybrid SX Prestige with the Executive package were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated. The middle-row seats featured significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride offered a cargo capacity of 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 89.3 cubic feet with the second row 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 pounds for the Hybrid. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and door pockets.

The 2025 Kia Sorento featured a 24-inch panoramic display, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the native voice assistant required a Kia Connect subscription. The infotainment system included a touch-sensing strip of dual-function controls, which could be frustrating to use. Digital Key technology allowed smartphones to function as key fobs, and the Sorento featured a digital rearview mirror and an excellent surround-view camera system.

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 touchscreen for climate controls. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. 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 featured a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system in the SX trim and above, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2025 Kia Sorento came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, with additional advanced technologies available on higher trims. The SX and SX Prestige trims included active collision avoidance features, evasive steering assist, a Blind-Spot View Monitor, and a surround-view camera system. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system provided semi-autonomous driving assistance, though it required regular driver input. The Sorento earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for 2024.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and highway driving assist. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor occasionally triggered false alerts at night, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful. The highway driving assist system performed well on long trips, maintaining lane centering and speed.