2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was available in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. As a fifth-generation model debuting in 2024, it retained its chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. The H-shaped LED headlamps were pixelated, aligning with Hyundai's design aesthetic, and the color options like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue offered a refreshing break from the usual SUV shades. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with the pixelated H-shaped LED taillights positioned lower than ideal, affecting the overall visual balance. Each trim featured specific wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, and the XRT trim added chrome and black accents for an off-road look. Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the Calligraphy trim, which offered captain's chairs in the second row. The interior materials ranged from basic cloth to luxurious Nappa leather, though some squeaks and rattles were noted during testing. The inclusion of physical HVAC dials was appreciated, but the fan speed buttons were less user-friendly.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality shifted 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 fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, adding to its boldness. The rear design, with rounded corners and vertical taillights, resembled a Range Rover, offering a different style. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, with the optional Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone palette 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, including engineered wood and carbon, added to the interior's appeal.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting, though some turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 231 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft of torque. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners, with firm brakes and responsive steering, but the gear selector on the steering column required some getting used to. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities, though it wasn't suited for rugged rock crawling.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 274 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride Hybrid added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb.-ft of torque, with a six-speed transmission. The Hybrid was not available in the off-road X-Pro trims but was offered in the X-Line trim. The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. The X-Pro Prestige model excelled in off-road settings, while the Hybrid SX Prestige offered a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride delivered a smooth, comfortable ride, with excellent sound insulation and minimal wind noise. On winding roads, it was composed and controllable, though not particularly sporty. The brake pedal effort was soft, but brake response was immediate during panic stops.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of features across its trims. The base SE trim included a hands-free liftgate, dual-zone climate control, and a dual-way center console. The XRT trim added heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet. The Calligraphy trim featured heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a premium audio system. All trims had a two-level glove box, with upper trims offering a UV-C sanitizer. The Santa Fe boasted the most third-row legroom in its class, with adjustable second-row seat cushions. Cargo space was generous, with 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 79.6 cubic feet with both rows folded. The rear opening was widened to 50.2 inches, accommodating larger items. Most trims could tow 3,500 pounds, with the XRT capable of towing 4,500 pounds.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low seat cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim with the Executive package offered power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, though access to the third row was slow. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or legroom. The Telluride could seat seven with captain's chairs, or eight with a second-row bench in non-Hybrid trims. Cargo capacity was 22.3 cu-ft behind the third row, expanding to 48.7 cu-ft with the seatbacks folded, and up to 89.3 cu-ft with the second row folded. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, or 4,500 for the Hybrid. Storage options included a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and door pockets.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with a digital gauge cluster on the top trims. The system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though navigation was not standard on all trims. Upper trims offered Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging. A digital key and fingerprint scanner were available for added security. The Santa Fe offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display on higher trims. Bluelink app connectivity was standard, providing remote climate control and vehicle monitoring. Over-the-air updates ensured the latest software.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. The LX and S trims had a smaller 4.2-inch instrument panel. The system included navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The infotainment system was easy to use, though some delays and hard taps were noted. Physical temperature control buttons were available, and the system required minimal adjustments. The Telluride offered customizable themes, including NBA, National Geographic, and Disney. A 14-speaker Meridian audio system was available on the SX trim and above, with clear sound quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance and Highway Drive Assist. The top trim included a blind spot avoidance feature and a Blind-View Monitor. The expanded driver monitor system was available on the SEL trim and above. The NHTSA gave the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it as Good in most categories, with Acceptable ratings for headlights and LATCH.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard safety features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and highway driving assist. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective. At the time of writing, crash test scores from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available.