2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid, part of the sixth-generation lineup, received a subtle refresh, with the most notable addition being the new TrailSport trim level. This trim brought a rugged aesthetic to the CR-V, featuring orange badges, Shark Gray 18-inch wheels, and Continental CrossContact ATR tires for enhanced traction. The TrailSport also included a silver skid-plate-style trim piece, although it was more for show than function. The CR-V's exterior design remained largely unchanged from 2025, but the interior saw updates like orange contrast stitching and embroidered headrests in the TrailSport models. The CR-V was available in seven trim levels, with the hybrid powertrain exclusive to the Sport trims. It offered eight color options, including the TrailSport-exclusive Ash Green.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold redesign that divided opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality varied significantly with color and trim level, with the X-Line and X-Pro models featuring distinctive grille designs and amber accent lights. The side profile showcased angular fender sculpting and unique 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, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, although the labeling on some buttons was difficult to read. The seats were covered in synthetic leather and suede, with varying materials across trims.

The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid was powered by a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine paired with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This setup replaced the traditional transmission with a clever two-motor system, allowing for seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The CR-V Hybrid offered multiple regenerative braking settings and a one-pedal driving option. It achieved impressive fuel economy, with 40 mpg combined for FWD models and 37 mpg for AWD models. The TrailSport trim, with its all-terrain tires, managed 35 mpg combined. The CR-V Hybrid's AWD system was enhanced for 2026, allowing up to 50% of torque to be sent to the rear axle. The CR-V Hybrid could tow up to 1,500 pounds, making it suitable for light utility trailers.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with electric motors, producing 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The Telluride Hybrid offered a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The X-Pro Prestige trim provided a comfortable ride despite its lifted off-road suspension, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride was composed and controllable on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, or 4,500 for the Hybrid model.

The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a functional interior with 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It outshone competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 in cargo space but fell short of the Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V provided ample headroom and legroom, with 38.2 inches of headroom and 41 inches of legroom in the second row. The front seats offered up to 41.3 inches of legroom. The CR-V's seats were soft yet supportive, with leather-trimmed options available on higher trims. Standard features included heated front seats, a moonroof, and dual-zone climate control. The center console housed physical controls for climate and drive modes, along with USB-C ports for connectivity and charging.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim. The middle-row seats offered significant travel fore and aft, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, expanding to 48.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. All trims featured buttons in the cargo area to remotely fold the second-row seatbacks, offering up to 89.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, or 4,500 for the Hybrid model.

The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, replacing the previous 7-inch unit. It featured a 10.2-inch digital driver information display on higher trims. The infotainment system included a volume knob, a home button, and a phone-projection button for easy access to wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Sport Touring trim offered Google built-in, with access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play store for three years. A Wi-Fi hotspot was standard on hybrid trims, while SiriusXM satellite radio was not available. The CR-V offered a range of audio systems, from a 160-watt four-speaker stereo to a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system on the Sport Touring trim.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured 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 a native navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was easy to use, though it required a firm tap to register inputs. The Telluride offered customizable themes for the infotainment screen, including options from NBA, National Geographic, Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system was available on the SX trim and above, delivering powerful bass and clear tones.

The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2025 model received a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. The CR-V included the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and traffic jam assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on trims above the LX, while front and rear parking sensors were standard on trims above the EX. The CR-V came with a rearview camera with dynamic directional guidelines.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard 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 trims offered a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, side parking proximity sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride also featured a driver attention monitor, though it occasionally triggered false alerts at night.