As it enters its second generation, Kia’s popular Telluride SUV has become one of the hottest cars on the U.S. market. It’s so important to the South Korean automaker that some company officials refer to it as the “Selluride.” Kia sold 85,418 Tellurides through the end of July 2026, up from 71,913 during the same period last year.
The Telluride is available in gas-powered and hybrid formats. We tested 2027 models of both versions to compare their driving experience, space, features and value.
What Makes the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Stand Out?
The Kia Telluride hybrid offers a broad range of features, smooth handling and an appealing exterior. In a week of testing, its interior and cargo area felt spacious for daily driving needs. The second-row captain’s chairs offer easy access to the third row, although they eliminate the option to seat three passengers across the second row.
The hybrid has a large infotainment screen and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The gear selector, mounted on a lever on the right side of the steering wheel near the wiper controls, takes some getting used to.
The 2027 Telluride hybrid offers a smooth, comfortable ride with sturdy handling. Its acceleration is quick enough for daily driving, and it handles more like a car than some drivers might expect from a hybrid SUV.
The hybrid gets an estimated 30 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway. The model tested traveled more than 450 miles on a single tank of gas, mostly in local driving. It uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid system that produces up to 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.
What Makes the Gas-Powered Telluride Stand Out?
The gas-powered 2027 Kia Telluride offers a spacious cabin, plenty of cargo room and engaging driving dynamics. During testing, it hauled a queen-size mattress. Passengers also appreciated its roomy interior.
The redesigned interior includes a standard 12.3-inch infotainment system, front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot detection. Upper trims add features such as second-row captain’s chairs.
The gas model uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It gets an estimated 20 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway.
Hybrid Versus Gas: Which Telluride Is Better?
The gas-powered Telluride starts at $39,190 before taxes and additional fees. The 2027 model is the first Telluride available as a hybrid, and the hybrid starts at $46,490 before taxes and fees.
The gas-powered Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige AWD test vehicle starts at $56,790 and includes features such as carbon-fiber-inspired interior trim and a ground-view monitor for off-roading. The 2027 Telluride is available in 10 gas trims and five hybrid trims. Hybrid pricing ranges from $46,490 for the base EX to $57,590 for the X-Line SX Prestige.
The base-model hybrid costs less than the average price of a midsize crossover SUV, which was $50,144 in July 2026, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book. That means the hybrid’s starting price is competitive with the broader midsize SUV market, even though it costs about $7,000 more than the base gas model.
The hybrid offers a modest power boost and a significant fuel-economy advantage. The gas-powered model, however, costs less upfront. Both versions are spacious and can carry up to seven people, and both include a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity.
Both models also have a 360-degree surround-view monitor and driver-assistance systems such as blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, highway driving assist and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance.
With gas prices averaging more than $4 per gallon nationally, the hybrid may be the better choice for drivers who expect to keep the vehicle for years and can benefit from its higher fuel economy. Buyers who prioritize a lower purchase price may prefer the gas-powered version.
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