2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was available in three variants: the 3.3 Turbo, the 3.3 Turbo S, and the PHEV. It offered a range of trim levels, including Select, Preferred, Premium, Premium Sport, and Premium Plus, with pricing from $39,575 to $59,480. The test vehicle, a 3.3 Turbo with Premium Plus trim and Soul Red paint, had an MSRP of $51,450. The CX-90's exterior boasted lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels, giving it a luxury SUV appearance. Its sculptural sheet metal and design elements contributed to a low, long, athletic look. Inside, the CX-90 featured an upscale interior with polished metallic trim, Nappa leather, and clearly marked switchgear, though some materials reflected its competitive price. Ergonomic issues included a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls, but overall, the CX-90 exuded sophistication compared to other midsize three-row crossover SUVs.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, faceless grille. The vehicle's personality changed with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that blended better in darker shades. 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 and a modern appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, with the optional Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone palette reminiscent of Volvo. However, the labeling on silver buttons and cream-colored infotainment shortcuts was difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, had somewhat flat and firm cushions, but the surrounding materials were excellent for the class.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo's drivetrain was less refined than its design and materials, which was disappointing given the typically smooth operation of inline-six engines. The turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine produced 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque in the 3.3 Turbo models, while the 3.3 Turbo S delivered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft (340 hp with premium gas). Power flowed through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system, with a rear-wheel bias for better driving dynamics. The CX-90 offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The i-Stop function aimed to improve fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 25 mpg combined, though observed mileage was 21.3 mpg. The plug-in hybrid powertrain offered 25 miles of electric range and the same 25 mpg combined. While the CX-90 provided impressive ride and handling, drivetrain refinement was lacking, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior. The vehicle suffered from noise and impact harshness, and vibrations resonated through the second-row captain's chairs. However, the CX-90's taut suspension and dynamic character made it one of the most flingable family haulers.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride Hybrid added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed transmission. The Hybrid was not offered in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was available in the X-Line trim. The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quieter ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. Both Tellurides were tuned for comfort, delivering a 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 with its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension managed to keep sharp jolts from the cabin. The Telluride was composed and controllable on winding roads, instilling confidence, though the brake pedal effort was soft. In panic stops, brake response was immediate, and the vehicle tracked straight.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior struggled with climate control, taking a long time to cool down despite the unseasonably cool and dry summer. The 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a heated steering wheel. The front-seat ventilation was nearly as ineffective as the air conditioning, but once cooled, the eight-way power-adjustable front seats were comfortable on longer trips. A panoramic sunroof provided ample natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed elevated seating positions. However, the CX-90's unusually long rear doors made loading children challenging. The third row was best reserved for children, especially on longer trips. The CX-90's storage space was limited, with a smartphone charging tray, a shallow bin under the split center armrest, a sizable glove compartment, and stingy door panel storage. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, with a maximum cargo volume of 74.2 cubic feet.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though smaller passengers were better suited to the rearmost row. The seat cushions were mounted low to the floor, reducing thigh support for adult-sized passengers, but headroom and legroom were adequate. The Hybrid SX Prestige test vehicle with the optional Executive package featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, comparable to a business-class domestic airline seat. The middle-row seats had a lot of seat travel fore and aft, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom if needed. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, with a maximum cargo capacity of 89.3 cubic feet. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot by comparison. The Telluride's front seats had a large center bin with deployable cupholders, a shallow center armrest bin, and medium-sized door pockets. The second row benefited from a tray and bin that slid out from the console, and the third row had dual cupholders on each side.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, presented in a traditional manner. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only when using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, with the native Mazda Connect platform requiring the use of a knob and buttons on the center console. Mazda's voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, and the automaker planned to roll out a new Google Built-in infotainment system in future models. The test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system, providing a rewarding listening experience. The CX-90 also included Mazda's Active Driving Display, a head-up display with helpful data, and a visual alert for vehicles in blind spots.

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 infotainment system was easy to use, though there were delays between tapping the screen and system response. The middle climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride's infotainment screen could be customized with themes from various brand collaborations. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system was available on the Telluride SX trim and above, delivering powerful bass and clear tones.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was one of only four midsize, three-row, gas-powered SUVs to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The CX-90 PHEV earned five-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests, with a four-star rollover resistance rating. Mazda provided a long list of standard driver aids, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Higher trim levels added features like steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, front cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids met expectations, though the audible warning systems could be overwhelming.

At the time of writing, the 2027 Kia Telluride had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard advanced safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking proximity sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors/reminders. Higher-trimmed Tellurides added features like a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, side parking proximity sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's highway driving assist was particularly helpful on longer trips, though the driver attention monitor had operational issues at night.