2026 Toyota Sequoia vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia presented a robust and utilitarian design, closely resembling its sibling, the Tundra pickup. Its tall and wide stance, coupled with blocky features, gave it a commanding presence on the road. The front showcased a large black grille, more contained than the Tundra's, with blacked-out elements confined within the grille itself. The side profile featured a stepped shoulder line from the hood to the front doors, with pronounced haunches over the wheels, adding to its chunky aesthetic. Black wheel flares were standard across most trims, except for the Capstone trim, which opted for body-colored flares. The rear was marked by a standard spoiler and Sequoia lettering on the tailgate, with wheel options ranging from 18 to 22 inches. Inside, the cabin continued the chunky theme with large dials suitable for gloved hands, and the TRD Pro trim emphasized a work-oriented, off-road-ready interior with black synthetic leather upholstery, camouflage patterns, and red stitching. While the Sequoia offered a choice between luxury and utility, the TRD Pro leaned heavily towards the latter, with a focus on functionality over opulence.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid took a bold approach with its design, potentially dividing opinions with its flat, wide grille that spanned the entire front end. The vehicle's personality shifted with different color and trim options, with body-colored vertical strakes at the edges that could appear jarring in lighter shades but blended more harmoniously in darker ones. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile was marked by faceted and angular fender sculpting, with unusual black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, adding a unique touch. The rear view adopted a different style, with rounded corners and vertical taillights reminiscent of a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout with a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, with its optional Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone palette, akin to a Volvo, though the silver button labeling was hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided excellent material quality, though the cushions were somewhat firm for long drives.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia transitioned from a V8 to a hybrid powertrain, yet retained a V8-like feel and sound. Its twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, with an electric motor adding 48 hp and 184 lb-ft for enhanced acceleration. This setup, powered by a 1.87-kWh battery, delivered a 0-60 mph time of about six seconds, with a towing capacity of up to 9,520 pounds. The Sequoia's handling was typical of a body-on-frame SUV, with noticeable body lean in corners and a slow steering response. The TRD Pro trim featured an off-road-tuned suspension with Fox coil-overs and remote-reservoir shocks, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Sequoia's ride quality was generally good, with the TRD Pro's all-terrain tires absorbing bumps effectively. Off-road features included a part-time 4WD system, low-range gearing, and various off-road drive modes, supported by a surround-view camera system for better maneuverability.

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. This setup, paired with a six-speed transmission, offered a smooth and quiet driving experience, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The Telluride Hybrid was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was offered in the X-Line trim, which mimicked the X-Pro's looks. The Telluride's ride was tuned for comfort, with the X-Pro Prestige trim providing a surprisingly smooth ride despite its lifted off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension effectively managed road imperfections. On winding roads, the Telluride was composed and controllable, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment. The Telluride's towing capacity was up to 5,000 pounds, or 4,500 for the Hybrid model.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with standard eight-way power seat adjustments in the first row. While the seats were wide, they were too flat for optimal long-trip comfort, though headroom and legroom were ample. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilation available on most trims. The second row provided good comfort, especially with available captain's chairs, and offered USB-C ports and a 115-volt outlet. The third row was accessible via center access or tilting second-row seats, with enough space for adults on short trips. Cargo space was a mixed bag, with 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with seats folded, though the load floor was not flat.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost 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, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 89.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride also offered practical storage solutions, including a large center bin, door pockets, and a tray under the center console.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, upgradeable to a 14-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with various connectivity features like Wi-Fi Connect and Safety Connect. The Sequoia also offered a head-up display, a wireless phone charger, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system on higher trims. The climate controls and drive mode selector were conveniently placed on the center console.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen, with a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required firm taps and had some delays. The Telluride offered customizable themes for the infotainment screen and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system on higher trims, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. It also featured blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia received mixed crash-test results from the IIHS, with a top Good score in some tests but a Marginal score in others. The Sequoia's safety systems performed well during testing, though the wide tow mirrors posed a visibility challenge.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features like 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 Telluride's driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips. At the time of writing, crash test scores from NHTSA and IIHS were not available.