2025 Chevrolet Tahoe vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe continued its legacy as a popular full-size SUV, largely due to its brand equity and practical capabilities. Known for its towing capacity and ability to seat up to nine passengers, the Tahoe maintained its appeal among large families and those needing a versatile vehicle. Chevrolet opted for a conservative design refresh, introducing a new grille and updated lighting elements across its six trim levels. The Z71 trim, which we tested, stood out with its off-road enhancements, including skid plates and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Tahoe featured a new 17.7-inch touchscreen and a redesigned dashboard, offering a more sophisticated cabin experience.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its wide, flat grille. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with the X-Line and X-Pro models offering distinct grille designs and amber accent lights. The interior of the Telluride was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard and a luxurious two-tone palette in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided comfort, though the cushions were somewhat firm. The Telluride's interior materials were of high quality, with various trim options available, including engineered wood and carbon fiber.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a choice of two V8 engines and a diesel option. The 5.3-liter V8 delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 provided 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine, available in several trims, produced 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, offering a refined and fuel-efficient driving experience with up to 27 mpg on the highway. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with RWD standard except for the 4WD-only Z71 trim. The Tahoe's suspension options included Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride adaptive suspension, enhancing ride quality and handling.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid system provided a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The Telluride's suspension was tuned for comfort, with the X-Pro Prestige trim offering a surprisingly smooth ride despite its off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels, but overall, the Telluride delivered a composed and controllable driving experience. The brake pedal effort was soft, requiring some adjustment, but the vehicle performed well in panic stops.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe excelled in towing and cargo capacity, with the ability to tow up to 8,400 pounds when properly equipped. Its 24-gallon fuel tank allowed for long highway drives, especially with the diesel engine. The Tahoe offered 122.9 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats folded, though the trunk space was limited to 25.5 cubic feet with all seats in use. The optional 24-inch wheels required Magnetic Ride Control for a smoother ride, but they added significant cost to the vehicle.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the third row was better suited for smaller passengers. The second-row seats in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, though they were slow to move for third-row access. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 89.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The Hybrid model's towing capacity was 4,500 pounds, slightly less than the standard model.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a significant upgrade in technology, with a 17.7-inch touchscreen, an 11-inch driver information screen, and an optional 15-inch HUD. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Google Built-in offering seamless integration of Google services. The user experience had some drawbacks, such as a cluttered steering wheel and a challenging driver information display. The premium Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to rivals.

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 climate control screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it occasionally required hard taps and had some delays. The Telluride offered customizable themes and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system in higher trims, delivering excellent sound quality. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe had not been crash-tested for the 2025 model year, but the 2024 model received four out of five stars from the NHTSA and an Acceptable rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving tech was expected to be available in 2025.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not been crash-tested at the time of writing. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips.