2025 Kia Telluride vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Kia Telluride presented a lineup that could be somewhat perplexing with its five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The base prices ranged from $36,390 to $51,390, excluding a $1,415 destination charge. The X-Line package, available on all but the LX and S trims, added features like standard all-wheel drive, a locking center differential, and increased ground clearance, with prices ranging from $46,485 to $52,785 plus destination. The X-Pro trim package further enhanced the EX X-Line and SX Prestige X-Line with 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and increased towing capacity, priced at $47,385 and $53,685 respectively, plus destination. The SX Prestige X-Pro package, with its comprehensive standard equipment and off-roading capability, was tested with additional features like Midnight Lake Blue paint and Terracotta Nappa leather, bringing the MSRP to $56,240, including destination.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered a bold design that could polarize opinions, especially with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that could be jarring in lighter shades but harmonious in darker ones. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile featured unique 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 Hybrid SX Prestige trim with the Executive package offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the silver button labeling was hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm, but the surrounding materials were of excellent quality, with options like engineered wood and carbon fiber trim.

The 2025 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the LX, S, EX, and SX trims, while other versions featured standard all-wheel drive with a center locking differential. The AWD system was optional for the S, EX, and SX models. The Telluride offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode adjusting to driver behavior. The V6 engine provided smooth and ample power, achieving 20.2 mpg over nearly 1,200 miles, aligning with the EPA rating of 20 mpg combined. The X-Pro package's all-terrain tires excelled off-road but sacrificed some on-pavement grip. The Telluride's suspension handled rough roads well, though brake pedal behavior was occasionally sticky in traffic.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 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 available in X-Pro trims but was offered in the X-Line trim. The Hybrid provided ample power and a quieter ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. Both Tellurides delivered a smooth ride, with the X-Pro Prestige trim offering surprising comfort despite its off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension managed potholes well. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, though the brake pedal effort was soft.

The 2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige model's interior was thoughtfully designed with features like heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, USB-C charging ports, and smartphone storage sleeves. The driver's seat offered a lumbar massage function, and the second row featured reclining captain's chairs with ample legroom and a rear climate control zone. The third-row seat, when folded flat, provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the third-row seats down and 87 cubic feet with the second-row seats flattened. The Telluride's cargo space was not class-leading but sufficient for most needs.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the third-row seat cushions were low, reducing thigh support. The Hybrid SX Prestige with the Executive package featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, though they were slow to slide and tilt forward. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, expandable to 48.7 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded and 89.3 cubic feet with the second-row seatbacks flat. 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 Kia Telluride SX and SX Prestige trims featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 10-inch head-up display in the SX Prestige. The head-up display provided blind-spot alerts, and the Blind Spot View Monitor showed a live video feed of blind spots. However, the Telluride lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the data port was USB-A. The voice recognition system was rudimentary, but the SiriusXM satellite radio and Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

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 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was easy to use, though it required a hard tap to register inputs. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride SX trim and above featured a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system with powerful bass and clear tones.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured Kia's Drive Wise advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system provided semi-autonomous highway driving. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard safety features like frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and highway driving assist. Higher trims added a surround-view camera system and blind-spot camera system. The driver attention monitor had operational issues at night, and the blind-spot cameras were distracting. The highway driving assist was helpful on long trips.