2026 Toyota Sienna vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Sienna was available in several trims, including LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, Woodland Edition, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $42,915 to $60,305. The Woodland Edition, priced at $53,790, featured a Cypress green exterior, which was fitting for its outdoorsy theme. However, despite its name and subtle suspension lift, the Woodland Edition didn't quite achieve a rugged look. The interior was exclusively black, which felt dark and uninviting, and the use of cheap plastic materials detracted from the overall quality. The Sienna's interior design needed improvement, particularly the shifter and glove compartment, which felt flimsy. Despite these drawbacks, the Sienna offered a driving experience more akin to a crossover SUV than a traditional minivan.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, especially with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with darker shades offering a more harmonious look. The X-Line and X-Pro models featured distinctive grille designs and amber accent lights. The Telluride's side profile was marked by angular fender sculpting and unique black plastic tabs, while the rear resembled a Range Rover with its rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige trim boasted a simple, modern dashboard with a luxurious two-tone palette. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm but offered excellent material quality. The interior trim options included engineered wood and carbon, adding to the upscale feel.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, and an electric motor. This setup delivered 245 horsepower, which was modest for a vehicle weighing 4,625 pounds and capable of seating up to eight passengers. The Sienna's e-AWD system, standard on the Woodland Edition and Platinum trims, added an electric motor for the rear axle. While the Sienna performed well in urban settings, it lacked power for highway passing and mountain climbing. The EPA rated the AWD Sienna at 35 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded lower results. The Woodland Edition's off-road capabilities were limited, with only a slight increase in ground clearance and all-season tires. The Sienna's driving experience was unremarkable, with a soft and uncommunicative feel, though it offered a smooth ride and predictable handling. The brake pedal feel needed improvement, as it was difficult to modulate and lacked bite.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid version added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Telluride Hybrid was paired with a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The vehicle offered ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. The Telluride's suspension provided a comfortable ride, even in the X-Pro Prestige trim with its lifted off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension effectively absorbed bumps. The Telluride's handling was composed and controllable, with a soft brake pedal effort that required adjustment. Overall, the Telluride Hybrid delivered a confident and comfortable driving experience.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna prioritized practicality, though cargo space was limited compared to other minivans. The Woodland Edition featured a four-zone climate control system, but lacked ventilated front seats, which were available on higher trims. Power sliding doors and optional "super-long-slide" second-row captain's chairs enhanced accessibility, though the latter compromised third-row space. The third-row seat offered decent leg support, but the small rear windows and all-black interior created a claustrophobic feel. The Sienna's cargo capacity was 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded. Maximum cargo volume was 101 cubic feet, limited by non-removable second-row seats.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the third-row seat cushions were low, reducing thigh support. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The second-row seats had significant travel, allowing for flexible cargo and legroom configurations. The Telluride's cargo capacity was 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 48.7 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded. The maximum cargo capacity was 89.3 cubic feet, slightly reduced in Hybrid models. The Telluride also offered numerous storage options for smaller items, enhancing its practicality.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and touchscreen, standard on most trims. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected service plans. Optional features included wireless smartphone charging and a JBL premium sound system. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system had visibility issues in daytime mode, but switching to night mode improved readability. The optional voice recognition system worked well, though it struggled with specific SiriusXM station requests.

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 touchscreen. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was user-friendly, though it occasionally required hard taps and had some delays. 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 on higher trims, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The Sienna also had blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. However, it lacked some predictive technologies found in newer Toyota models. The Sienna's safety ratings were mixed, with a three-star driver protection rating from NHTSA and a Marginal result in the IIHS moderate overlap front-impact test.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and parking sensors. 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.