2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid vs 2026 BMW X3

The 2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive started at $52,650, but most buyers opted for upgrades, pushing the price to nearly $62,500. The X3 M50, however, began at $67,850 and our test model, with its Frozen Deep Grey paint and other premium features, reached an MSRP of $79,100. Despite the luxurious Amber over Atlas Gray leather, the interior's austere design didn't quite justify the high price. The X3's industrial design, described by BMW as "monolithic," was polarizing, especially with the M50's illuminated grille surround. While the nighttime lighting inside was excellent, the touch-sensing controls and general cabin austerity felt cheap, even with the addition of artificial leather and upgraded interior trim for 2026.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that divided opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that blended better in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile showcased angular fender sculpting and unusual black plastic tabs, while the rear view, with rounded corners and vertical taillights, resembled a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's simple horizontal dashboard and buttonless modern appearance were less controversial. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, with its two-tone palette, added a luxurious touch, though the labeling on buttons was hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm, but the surrounding materials were of excellent quality, with various trim surfaces available.

The 2026 BMW X3 M50 was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 393 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. This engine offered exhilarating acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The M50 also featured performance hardware like an M Sport rear differential, M Sport brakes, and an Adaptive M suspension. The base X3 30 xDrive, with a 255-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, was also sprightly, reaching 60 mph in six seconds. Both models came with all-wheel drive and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, ensuring a smooth automatic engine stop/start system. The X3 M50 had a towing capacity of 4,850 pounds, while the 30 xDrive could tow 4,000 pounds.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid was mated to a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The Telluride Hybrid offered a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. Both Tellurides were tuned for comfort, with the X-Pro Prestige trim providing a surprisingly smooth ride despite its off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension managed to absorb bumps effectively. On winding roads, the Telluride was composed and controllable, though not particularly sporty. The brake pedal effort was soft, but brake response was immediate during panic stops.

The 2026 BMW X3 featured heated, power-adjustable front sport seats wrapped in Veganza, BMW's vegan artificial leather. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but rear passengers might find the seat cushion too low. The panoramic glass sunroof provided natural light, and storage was generous, though items in compartments could rattle. The cargo space measured 31.5 cubic feet, expandable to 67.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered 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 had 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 89.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. Properly equipped, the Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds (4,500 for the Hybrid).

The 2026 BMW X3's dashboard was dominated by the BMW Curved Display, featuring a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. The infotainment system ran BMW Operating System 9 with QuickSelect, offering cloud-based navigation, Augmented View video, and more. However, the system had real-world issues, particularly in Guest mode, which didn't remember settings. Apple CarPlay worked well, except for a peculiar instance where music played through the smartphone speaker instead of the car's stereo.

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 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 offered customizable infotainment themes and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system in the SX trim and above, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2026 BMW X3 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. The optional Driving Assistance Professional Package added features like lane-centering assist and adaptive cruise control with hands-free traffic jam assist. The X3's crash-test ratings from the NHTSA were a mix of four- and five-star ratings, resulting in an overall four-star rating. The IIHS awarded the 2026 X3 its highest Top Safety Pick+ rating.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid's crash test scores were not available at the time of writing. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had operational issues at night, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful. The highway driving assist was effective on longer trips, maintaining lane centering and smooth speed changes.