Kia Telluride Hybrid: A Luxury SUV That Sips Gas

Kia Telluride Hybrid Arrives: The Ultimate Family SUV?

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid is here, and it’s a complete redesign. This SUV looks great. It offers lots of new tech and luxury. Plus, it’s surprisingly fuel-efficient and powerful.

This review covers the new Telluride Hybrid. It’s likely the most important model in the new lineup. A brand-new hybrid powertrain is now available.

Exterior: Upscale and Bold

The new Telluride looks even better than the old one. It seems more upscale and luxurious. But it keeps the boxy, muscular look people loved. It has a high-end feel. The rear looks a bit like a Range Rover. It seems capable and stylish.

The back of the tailgate is attractive. The rear wiper hides under the roof spoiler. This creates a clean look. The window flows smoothly into the tailgate. It looks very high-end.

Some front-end details are a bit much. The body-colored panels near the grille seem overstyled. The wheel design is also a bit odd. It works on the EV9, but not as well here. The vertical panels over the wheel arches are also unnecessary. They don’t add function, just style. Overall, though, the Telluride’s look is fantastic.

The Telluride is already a large midsize SUV. This new model is about 2.5 inches longer. It’s similar in length to the Honda Pilot. It’s a bit shorter than the Toyota Grand Highlander and Chevy Traverse. Midsize SUVs have grown a lot.

Interior: A Purple Surprise

Getting inside is cool. The Kia key has a unique lock button. The Kia logo lights up green when you press it. When you unlock the doors, the handles pop out electronically. This is a nice luxury touch.

The interior is as nice as the outside suggests. It’s a high-quality cabin. The layout is clean and refined. It feels like a luxury SUV. The materials and trim are excellent.

The most interesting thing? The interior is purple. Kia calls it blackberry, but it’s purple. It’s a bit funky for a luxury SUV. It’s certainly a unique choice.

Tech and Features: Thoughtful Touches

This is the top-trim SX Prestige Hybrid. It starts around $57,000. Fully loaded, it’s just over $60,000. This is a lot for a family SUV. But it’s in line with rivals’ top trims. The base non-hybrid Telluride starts just over $40,000.

The starter button is on a stalk below the steering column. This stalk also controls the gear selector. Twist the end to change gears. Park is a button. This frees up center console space.

There are two wireless charging pads. There’s also plenty of storage. The center console has cup holders or storage space. There’s a large compartment under the armrest. Another storage area is below that.

The center stack has three USB-C ports. Two are for charging. One connects to the infotainment system. Physical climate control buttons are below the screen. This is great for common functions.

A separate screen shows climate info. It’s always visible. However, the steering wheel can block your view of it. Heated and cooled seat buttons are physical. They are on the door, which is unusual. The heated steering wheel control is also on the door.

The driver’s seat has a massage function. This is a nice luxury feature. A QR code on the passenger door links to info on sustainable materials used in the interior.

The rearview mirror is also a camera display. This helps you see behind the car without looking through passengers. It’s a great safety feature.

The center infotainment screen is good. It’s responsive and easy to use. The screen size is smaller than some rivals. Some may like this. Others might complain.

A cool feature is “Stay Mode.” It’s specific to the Telluride Hybrid. With a charged battery, you can run accessories like climate control and music without the engine running. This is great for waiting.

Physical controls are below the infotainment screen. They offer easy access to home, map, and search functions.

The parking camera system is easy to use. A button in the center console brings up the cameras instantly. This is helpful in tight spots.

The gauge cluster screen is okay. It lacks customization. You can’t easily display the map or music. The blind spot camera system is excellent. Turn signals activate a camera view in the blind spot. This makes lane changes safer.

The Executive Package adds reclining seats. They lie almost flat, with a leg rest. This is great for relaxing when parked. Rear seats also recline with this package.

Rear Seat Comfort and Access

Rear seat passengers get lighted seat belt buckles. This helps find them at night. A pull-out tray can act as a table. The top of the tray folds to reveal storage space.

Two cup holders are at the back of the center console. This keeps the aisle clear for third-row access. Heated and cooled rear seats are a nice luxury touch.

A door-mounted blind spot monitor lights up if something is approaching. This helps prevent door-opening accidents. A built-in sunshade is also in the door.

There are USB-C ports on the back of each front seat. Rear climate controls are in the ceiling. This saves space but might be out of reach for some. The main vents are also in the ceiling.

Third-row access is easy. You can walk through the second row. Or, a button moves the power-operated second-row seat. It moves without disturbing a car seat.

The third row is surprisingly nice. It has smooth leather, not perforated. The aluminum speaker grilles are in the first two rows, not the third. But the third row has cup holders (four total) and USB-C ports.

The third row also has heated seats. This is rare in any vehicle.

Cargo Space and Practicality

Cargo space behind the third row is surprisingly good. This is even with the hybrid battery pack. There’s underfloor storage for small items.

A household power outlet is in the cargo area. A 12-volt outlet is also present.

The top-trim hybrid has manual folding third-row seats. A simple strap folds them down. This is faster and less annoying than power-folding seats. Power second-row seats can be folded from the cargo area.

Performance: Hybrid Power Meets Efficiency

The Telluride Hybrid has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It makes about 330 horsepower. Torque is around 340 pound-feet. Combined fuel economy is 31 mpg with all-wheel drive.

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is a rival. Its most efficient version gets up to 34 mpg. But it has only 245 horsepower. The Grand Highlander also offers a 360-hp option, but it gets only 27 mpg.

Many rivals lack a hybrid option. The Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot don’t offer one. The all-wheel-drive Pilot gets only 22 mpg combined.

The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is the closest rival. It shares many components with the Telluride.

The Telluride Hybrid has a driving range approaching 600 miles. This is great for road trips.

This hybrid model is about 500 lbs heavier than the old Telluride. This is due to the hybrid system and added features.

The Drive: Comfortable and Solid

Behind the wheel, the Telluride feels big and solid. It offers an upright, tall seating position. It feels more substantial than rivals like the Pilot or Highlander.

The ride is very comfortable. Bumps are well-cushioned. The car feels stable and planted. It truly feels like a luxury SUV.

The powertrain isn’t perfect. It doesn’t feel like 330 horsepower. There’s a hesitation when you accelerate. Even sport mode doesn’t fix this much. The engine can be noisy when pushed.

Still, this wouldn’t stop me from buying it. Most drivers won’t push the car hard. The fuel economy numbers are impressive. Comfort, solidity, and features are more important to many buyers.

If the engine had more low-end power, this could be the perfect SUV. It’s a bit heavy, which might affect power feel.

Verdict: A Top Contender

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid is not crazy expensive. For its comfort, tech, and style, it’s priced competitively. It costs about the same or less than rivals like the Explorer and Grand Highlander.

For a midsize SUV, it excels in many areas. It offers a luxury feel at a mainstream price. The Hyundai Palisade is its only real competitor. Choosing between them comes down to styling and dealership preference.

The Telluride Hybrid is a seriously impressive SUV. It offers a great balance of features, comfort, and efficiency.

Source: The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Is the Ultimate Midsize SUV (YouTube)