2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Road Test and Review

2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Since hitting the market as a 2020 model, the Kia Telluride has reset expectations for three-row crossover SUVs. Affordable and luxurious and family-friendly and stylish? Who knew all these qualities could fit into the same car?

For 2027, the fully redesigned Telluride enters its second generation. And it ushers in two more unlikely additions to the list: and powerful and fuel-efficient. That’s thanks to the Telluride’s first-ever gas-electric hybrid powertrain. The hybrid is a $2,700 upcharge from the Telluride’s gas-only engine, starting with the well-equipped EX model. So at $46,490 and up, the new Telluride Hybrid isn’t a cut-price bargain. But given everything you get for that money – from high-end features to all those “and”s we covered earlier – it’s a compelling deal. 

For this review, we just spent a week testing the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid to learn all about its pros and cons and how it compares to the competition. Keep reading to learn if it’s the right fuel-saving three-row SUV for you.  

Hybrid Power

The 2027 Telluride drops the first-generation model’s V6 engine in favor of turbocharged four-cylinders. The new hybrid pairs that turbo four with a pair of electric motors. They’re fed by a small battery, which recharges when the engine is running and also recaptures energy from the brakes. You never plug it in. 

Thanks to this battery’s energy, the electric motors can help the gas engine drive the car. This means the engine doesn’t have to work as hard, so it needs less gas. The engine can even shut off entirely when you’re cruising at a steady speed or, sometimes, accelerating gently.

In our tested Telluride Hybrid, the gas engine often fired up almost instantly when we got moving from a red light. And you can’t lock in spurts of all-electric operation like in some hybrids. But even with that limitation, we came away impressed with the Telluride’s hybrid system. We also were happy to leave it idling for 18 minutes on fully electric power while we shot photos – a talent that could also pay off in, say, a school pickup line. 

2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Up to 35 MPG

In EPA testing, the Telluride Hybrid gets up to 34 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined. That’s excellent mileage for such a big SUV. 

Now, those numbers are for an EX trim level with front-wheel drive and 18-inch wheels. Other Telluride Hybrid variants are less amazing, but we still came away impressed. A front-drive SX, with larger 20-inch wheels and a bit more weight (due to more amenities), gets 2 mpg less than the EX. And with all-wheel drive, the EPA estimates you’ll average 30 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 31 mpg regardless of trim level. During our week with the Telluride Hybrid, we matched that EPA estimate in our top-trim X-Line SX Prestige AWD test vehicle. 

For context, the gas-only front-drive Telluride gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Most AWD Tellurides with this engine get 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. And the AWD X-Pro with a higher ground clearance and all-terrain tires gets just 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. We averaged 21 mpg in an X-Pro, which beat its EPA estimate but was a big 10 mpg less than the Telluride Hybrid we tested. 

2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige ・ Photo by Brady Holt

It’s Fast, Too

We’ve read some Telluride Hybrid reviews where drivers fell far short of the EPA estimate. That could be a matter of climate, as heat and cold can cut into a hybrid’s mileage more sharply than in a gas-only car. But another factor is that the Telluride Hybrid isn’t built only for mileage – it’s also built for speed. 

Pairing that turbo engine with the electric motors gives the Telluride a mighty 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. That compares with 274 hp and 311 lb-ft in the gas-only Telluride. Expect the hybrid to need less than 7 seconds to hit 60 mph, about a second quicker than other Tellurides. The engine hums more mildly than a Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, too. 

You could spend the $2,700 extra for a Telluride Hybrid solely for the extra power, with better gas mileage being icing on the cake. Or you can get it for the mileage and also enjoy quicker acceleration in the bargain. Just know that if you do rev that turbo engine hard, you won’t be getting 30 mpg. Also, hybrids see their biggest advantages in stop-and-go conditions and at lower speeds; when you’re cruising on the Interstate, it won’t do much better than a gas-only car. 

Beyond its powertrain, driving the Telluride Hybrid reveals a smooth ride and light, accurate steering. There’s no extra level of agility, perfectly polished fluidity in the steering or throttle, or tight-as-a-drum composure. And the Telluride Hybrid doesn’t offer the off-road-themed X-Pro model. But the Telluride is a pleasant, comfortable crossover to drive. 

2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige ・ Photo by Brady Holt

High-Tech Luxury Inside and Out

The Telluride Hybrid shares its body with the gas-only Telluride. To tell them apart, you’ll need to spot the little “HEV” badge on the liftgate, which stands for “hybrid electric vehicle.” The new Tellurides are boxy and sharp-edged, with crisper lines than the first-generation model. We get a Range Rover vibe from the new Telluride’s utilitarian-chic design, while its vertical LED-speared headlights pay homage to the old Telluride. Kia also cleaned up the body with electronically retracting door handles, though some owners might wish the Telluride kept things simpler – especially if one of those door handles stops working in six or seven years. Our test vehicle is one of the two X-Line trim levels, which have a few off-road-themed styling tweaks. 

You’ll find few differences between the gas and hybrid Tellurides inside the cabin, too. The hybrid just has a few exclusive displays on the gauge cluster and central touchscreen, which are part of a shared panel that also includes most climate controls. The interior looks good, and it’s well-finished with high-quality materials. And the 12.3-inch touchscreen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. But like those door handles, a few design choices put style over functionality. We’d pick more physical buttons and knobs, and you have to peer around the steering wheel to see the climate screen. 

2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige ・ Photo by Kia

Roomy Seven-Passenger Seating

The Telluride Hybrid seats seven people across three rows of seats – two front seats, twin second-row captain’s chairs, and a three-passenger bench seat in the third row. Even adults can have enough legroom in all three rows, though we wouldn’t try to jam three grown-ups (or three child safety seats) in the far back.

Kia also piles on the comfort amenities. Every Telluride Hybrid has SynTex leatherette seating, heated and ventilated front seats, power adjustability for the driver and front passenger, and built-in second-row sunshades. Most models also add a heated steering wheel. And upper trim levels are decked out with a massaging driver’s seat, leg extensions for the front and second-row seats, heating and ventilation for the second row, and a heated third-row seat. 

Our chief complaint: Kia doesn’t sell the Telluride Hybrid with the gas model’s available three-passenger second-row bench seat. By swapping the captain’s chairs for a bench seat, the gas-only Telluride can raise total capacity to eight. And it lets you fit five people even with the third row folded down, while the hybrid tops out at four.  

2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Plenty of Cargo Room

For cargo, the Telluride Hybrid has 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. That’s not the biggest three-row crossover you’ll find, but it’s quite roomy. We especially appreciate the usable space behind the third row, which isn’t a given in this segment. 

We recommend against our test vehicle’s $155 carpeted cargo mat and $200 cargo cover, though. The cargo mat bunches badly when you use the third-row seat, leaving you without a flat surface behind it. And you must remove the cargo cover to use the third row. Gas-only Tellurides let you stow the cover under the floor when it’s not in use, but the hybrid gives away that space for its battery. 

The Telluride Hybrid can tow 4,500 pounds, which is slightly below average for a three-row crossover. The gas-only model edges it out with a 5,000-pound towing capacity. 

2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Priced From $46,490

As we mentioned, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid starts at $46,490. That’s a big jump from the least expensive gas-only Telluride, which starts at $39,190. But that’s because Kia doesn’t sell hybrid versions of the base LX or S trim levels. To get the hybrid’s efficiency and power, you also need the EX model’s luxury goodies. If you’re already considering a well-equipped Telluride, it makes sense to spend $2,700 more for better gas mileage and quicker acceleration – unless you’d be driving mostly at steady highway speeds. 

AWD costs another $2,000 on the EX. The next-up SX model, $51,490, comes only with front-wheel drive and is paired with the AWD X-Line SX model ($54,490), which also has a few off-road-themed appearance tweaks. The extra cash brings goodies that include a 14-speaker Meridian stereo, a surround-view parking camera, and blind-spot cameras. 

At the top of the line, you'll find the SX Prestige and the X-Line SX Prestige. These cost $56,590 and $57,590, respectively, both with AWD included. It’s your ticket to a massaging driver’s seat, ventilated rear seats, a power-adjustable steering column, and upgraded upholstery. With a few small add-ons (like the carpeting and cargo cover we mentioned before), extra-cost Black Jade Green paint, and the mandatory $1,545 destination charge, our test vehicle came to $61,180. That’s steep. But you do get a lot for your money – and you can still get a great Telluride Hybrid for a lot less. 

2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Telluride Hybrid vs. Palisade Hybrid

The Telluride is a corporate cousin to the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid. The two SUVs share the same powertrain, suspension, and infotainment software. They also both have the same extra-long warranty coverage. But they look quite different inside and out, have some different features, and wear different price tags.

The Palisade Hybrid is styled more like an on-road luxury SUV, with curves and chrome instead of the Telluride Hybrid’s boxiness. It also has a curved dashboard versus the Kia’s angular one. Functionally, the Palisade Hybrid has simple mechanical door handles, but we didn’t like the cumbersome power-operated rear seats on upper Palisade trim levels. Finally, the Palisade Hybrid is available with eight-passenger seating on some trim levels, while the Telluride Hybrid only comes with second-row captain’s chairs and seven seats. 

The Palisade Hybrid tends to have a slightly lower sticker price than the Telluride Hybrid. However, you may find that the bigger difference is the price you haggle at your Hyundai and Kia dealership. If you don’t have a strong preference between the Palisade and Telluride, see what features interest you and which brand will cut you a better deal. 

2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Telluride Hybrid vs. the Competition

Besides its internal competition, the Telluride Hybrid faces one top rival among hybrid three-row SUVs: the Toyota Grand Highlander. The Grand Highlander has a choice of two hybrid powertrains – a standard hybrid that gets better mileage than the Telluride Hybrid, and a turbocharged "Hybrid Max" that accelerates faster. You might be surprised to find that the Toyota undercuts the Kia’s price tag, but the Telluride counters with more luxury features, quieter engines, and a swankier interior. The Grand Highlander has more space and simpler controls, though. You could also shop the Telluride Hybrid against the Lexus TX 500h, a more premium version of the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max. It's no fancier than the Kia, and it makes even a fully loaded Telluride Hybrid seem like a bargain.

If you drive mainly at highway speeds, we’d consider the Mazda CX-90. We averaged 29.5 mpg driving from Maryland to Massachusetts and back, and it’s both powerful and fun to drive. It’s also luxurious while costing less than the Telluride. The Kia is roomier, has more advanced infotainment, and rides more smoothly. And it’s more economical in stop-and-go conditions. Mazda also sells a CX-90 hybrid, but it's a plug-in model that's expensive and has a short fully electric range.

You could also shop the Telluride against two other Kia hybrids: the Carnival and Sorento. The Carnival is a spacious minivan with a lot more passenger and cargo room than the Telluride, along with similar EPA ratings, ride and handling, and high-end features and design. The Carnival has a much less powerful engine, though, and it’s not available with AWD. Meanwhile, the Sorento is a three-row crossover that's a size smaller than the Telluride, and it’s much less expensive. If you don’t often need a third-row seat, you might find the Sorento Hybrid fits your life just fine. 

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Nightshade ・ Photo by Brady Holt

A Hybrid Without Compromises

We have some nitpicks about the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid. We wish the carpeting and cargo cover were more compatible with the third-row seat. We wish you could choose a second-row bench seat to seat more passengers. We wish a few controls were easier to use. And we wish you could spec it without power-operated door handles if you prefer easy functionality over sleek design. 

But the Telluride Hybrid gets the big stuff right. It’s luxurious, comfortable, quick, and easy to drive – while getting 30 mpg and up. It lets you get the look, feel, comfort, and functionality of a seven-seat SUV without the penalty of a big fuel bill. 

2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige ・ Photo by Brady Holt