2025 Ford Bronco vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Ford Bronco was a modern homage to its 1960s predecessor, skillfully blending classic and contemporary design elements. Its boxy silhouette was softened with rounded corners, and the front was dominated by a wide rectangular grille flanked by round headlamps. The Bronco offered various top options, including soft, hard, or both, which could be removed along with the doors for an open-air experience. The Sasquatch package added 17-inch aluminum wheels with 35-inch all-terrain tires, a HOSS 2.0 suspension, and electronic-locking axles, enhancing its off-road prowess and giving it a more aggressive appearance.

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 different colors and trims, with body-colored vertical strakes that either stood out or blended in. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured amber accent lights. The side profile showcased angular fender sculpting and unique black plastic tabs, while the rear had rounded corners and vertical taillights reminiscent of a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride Hybrid boasted a simple, modern dashboard with a luxurious two-tone palette in the SX Prestige trim, though some buttons were hard to read.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered two main engine options, with the Bronco Raptor featuring a unique, more powerful engine. The base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for city and highway driving. The optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 increased output to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, though it didn't enhance towing capacity, which remained at 3,500 pounds unless upgraded to the Raptor's 4,500-pound capacity. The Bronco's standard seven-speed manual transmission included a low gear for off-road crawling, while a 10-speed automatic was available on most trims. The Sasquatch package improved off-road capabilities with locking differentials and large tires, and the Badlands trim featured a front sway-bar disconnect for better wheel articulation. All models came with four-wheel drive, with advanced systems available on higher trims.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road X-Pro trims. The Hybrid offered a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The X-Pro Prestige trim provided comfort with its lifted suspension and 18-inch wheels, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with 20-inch wheels. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, though not particularly sporty, and offered a soft brake pedal feel. It provided a luxurious ride with minimal wind noise and ample power for most driving situations.

The 2025 Ford Bronco's two-door model offered ample space for two passengers, though rear seat access was challenging. The four-door version provided more room and easier access. The Sasquatch package's large tires and suspension increased ground clearance but required a step up into the cabin. Cargo space varied with the top option, with the two-door offering up to 53.3 cubic feet and the four-door up to 83 cubic feet. The Bronco featured numerous storage cubbies and MOLLE mounting points for added convenience. The four-door model also included rear air conditioning vents and improved insulation for reduced road noise.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered generous space for adults in all three rows, though the third row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low seat cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, though access to the third row was slow. The middle-row seats offered significant travel for cargo or legroom adjustments. The Telluride provided up to 89.3 cubic feet of cargo space with seats folded, and the Hybrid could tow up to 4,500 pounds. Storage options included a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and additional trays and bins for smaller items.

The 2025 Ford Bronco came with a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 infotainment software, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A seven-speaker audio system was standard, with a Bang & Olufsen upgrade available on higher trims. A second 12-inch screen served as a digital gauge cluster, customizable with various modes. The Bronco featured five G.O.A.T. modes for different terrains, with additional modes on higher trims.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. The system included navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though some delays and hard taps were noted. The Telluride offered customizable themes and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system on higher trims.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered the Co-Pilot360 safety suite as an option on the base trim and standard on higher trims. Features included blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Post-collision braking, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control were standard. The Bronco received top ratings from the IIHS for crash tests but had a "Marginal" headlight rating. The NHTSA gave it four stars for frontal crash safety and three stars for rollover testing.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips. Crash test scores were not available at the time of writing.