2026 INFINITI QX60 vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 was offered in four trim levels: Pure, Luxe, Sport, and Autograph, with prices ranging from $53,035 to $68,185, including a destination charge. The Autograph trim, which we tested, featured a striking Deep Emerald color with a Black Obsidian roof and a Technology Package that added advanced features like ProPilot Assist 2.1. The QX60's design was updated to align with the larger QX80, featuring a new grille inspired by a bamboo forest and standard 20-inch wheels on the Pure trim. Inside, the QX60 offered a luxurious cabin with options like semi-aniline leather in the Autograph trim and a new Stone Gray color. The Luxe trim was considered the sweet spot, offering a balance of features and color options.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with the X-Line and X-Pro models offering distinctive grille designs and amber accent lights. The Telluride's side profile featured angular fender sculpting and unique black plastic tabs, while the rear resembled a Range Rover with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone interior with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated second-row seats. The seats were covered in synthetic leather and suede, with excellent material quality throughout. The Telluride Hybrid's interior was simple and modern, with a horizontal dashboard layout and a premium feel.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four VC-Turbo engine, producing 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine offered a balance of power and fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg for both FWD and AWD models. The QX60 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. Despite its power, the QX60's AWD system lacked sophistication, allowing too much front-wheel slip before engaging. The ride was smooth and refined in Auto mode, but the suspension felt too soft at higher speeds, leading to unwanted body motion.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system provided a seamless transition between electric and gas power, with a quiet and smooth ride. The Telluride Hybrid was equipped with a six-speed transmission and offered AWD as an option. The X-Pro Prestige trim, with its off-road suspension, delivered a surprisingly comfortable ride, 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.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 offered seven-passenger seating in the Pure and Luxe trims, while the Sport and Autograph trims featured captain's chairs, reducing capacity to six. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, with ventilated front and heated second-row seats available on higher trims. The Autograph trim included front-seat massage and a triple-zone climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable and provided easy access to the third row, but the third-row seats were tight for adults. The QX60 offered 14.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 75.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

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 were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, with a reclining feature. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for more cargo or legroom as needed. The Telluride could accommodate up to eight passengers in non-Hybrid trims with a second-row bench. Cargo space behind the third row was 22.3 cubic feet, expanding to 89.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Telluride also featured convenient storage solutions for smaller items.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 introduced a new Google Built-in infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, offering Google Assistant, Google Maps, and access to apps through the Google Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a Klipsch premium audio system. The Autograph trim featured a 20-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere setup, though the sound quality was not as satisfying as expected. The QX60 also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

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 touchscreen for climate controls. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with dual wireless phone chargers. The system was easy to use, though it required a firm tap to register inputs. The Telluride SX trim and above featured a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, delivering powerful bass and clear tones. The infotainment screen could be customized with themes from various brand collaborations.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 came with standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Luxe trim added ProPilot Assist 1.1 with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. The Autograph trim offered ProPilot Assist 2.1 with hands-free driving capability, though the system had some operational quirks. The NHTSA awarded the QX60 a five-star overall rating, but IIHS ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard safety features such as frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and blind-spot cameras. The Telluride's highway driving assist was particularly effective, though the driver attention monitor had some issues at night. Crash test scores from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of writing.