As it enters its second generation, Kia's popular Telluride SUV has become so important to the South Korean automaker that some company officials refer to it as the "Selluride."
Kia has sold 98,111 Tellurides through the end of August 2026, up from 84,090 it sold during the same period last year, according to sales figures the company released on July 31. The only Kia vehicles that have sold better so far in 2026 are the Sportage and the K4/Forte, with 129,713 and 98,554 units, respectively.
Kia said the Telluride sold 12,693 units in August 2026 alone, which company officials said helped boost the brand's overall performance in the month.
I drove the two versions of the 2027 Kia Telluride SUV for a week each to see whether they live up to the U.S.
News & World Report’s Best Midsize Hybrid SUV and Newsweek "Best New SUVs" awards the model has received: the gas-powered X-Pro and the hybrid.
The Kia Telluride X-Line SX Prestige hybrid model I tested is the highest trim of hybrid version of the popular three-row SUV, and it starts at a little over $57,000. Entry-level Kia Telluride hybrid models start at just under $46,500. The hybrid Telluride is available in five trims.
The Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige I tested is also the top trim of the gas-powered version of the popular SUV, and it starts at a little over $56,000. Entry-level gas models start $39,190. The gas-powered Telluride is available in 10 different trims.
I've recently tested several gas-powered, hybrid and fully electric SUVs, including the Toyota bZ, Lexus RZ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Toyota Grand Highlander, Mazda CX-50 and Toyota RAV-4. Here's what I learned after a week behind the wheel of both the gas-powered and hybrid versions of Kia's popular three-row SUV.
The 2027 Kia Telluride hybrid is stylish, spacious and efficient
The Kia Telluride hybrid offers a broad range of features, smooth handling, and an appealing curbside exterior.
In a week of testing, the Kia Telluride's interior and cargo area felt spacious for daily driving needs. The second-row Captain's Chairs offer easy access to the third-row seating, but they limited the option to seat three passengers across the second row in a bid to expand the rear cargo space for a late summer family beach road trip.
I enjoyed the Kia Telluride hybrid's 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 rather than a traditional gear shift, took some getting used to. But the 2027 Kia Telluride hybrid offers a smooth, comfortable ride with sturdy handling.
The Kia Telluride hybrid gets an estimated 30 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on highways. The model I tested got over 450 miles on a single tank of gas, mostly in local driving. The Telluride hybrid comes with a 2.5 Liter turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid system engine. Kia said the Telluride offers up to 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.
The X-Line SX Prestige hybrid model I tested offers 21.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, which I found sufficient for a couple of carry-on-sized suitcases and light grocery hauls. With third seats folded, cargo space expands to 47.7 cubic feet, enough for full-size luggage and big grocery hauls.
The Kia Telluride hybrid seats seven passengers, and it offers 40 inches of headroom in the first row, 38.9 inches in the second row and 37.4 inches in the third row.
The Kia Telluride hybrid competes in the hybrid three-row SUV segment with models from competitors such as the Toyota Grand Highlander, Mazda CX-90 and the Hyundai Palisade, which all have available hybrid models.
I enjoyed the X-Line SX Prestige model trim Kia Telluride hybrid model I tested, but I probably would opt for the slightly less expensive X-Line SX trim that starts at $54,490 and offers several features that are also found in the more costly version.
The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro is rugged and reliable
Kia touts that it's X-Pro is designed to boast the off-road capabilities of its vehicles. I wanted to test that theory out, so I drove the X-Pro Telluride on a 30-mile route that involved flat interstate highways, suburban streets, and roads with winding hills and tight corners. It handled each terrain with aplomb.
The X-Pro is available in eight different color options, including the Terrain Brown I tested. This color prompted multiple people to offer me unsolicited feedback. The Terrain Brown color, which appeared closer to gold, got a divided reaction: Some people who approached on sidewalks and in parking lots loved it, some hated it. I came down somewhere in the middle.
Behind the wheel, the Kia Telluride X-Pro felt surprisingly similar to the hybrid version I had previously tested. It handled all the curves and sharp inclines just as well, although a few times it jumped when I pressed the car to accelerate. I would have expected the model designed for off-roading to handle that better than the hybrid, but it didn't.
Similar to the hybrid model, the X-Pro Telluride I tested offers about 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats. The model I tested had about 382 miles on a full tank of gas.
I liked the X-Pro SX Prestige I tested, but I would probably opt for the X-Line SX that cost about $5,000 less if I was looking to save a few bucks on my next car purchase. You also could go further down the trim to the EX and save about $13,000.
The X-Pro has several features that are add-ons from other trims of the Telluride, including more suspension and a higher ground clearance of 9.1 inches, a factory installed tow hitch and a liftgate lamp.
Which Kia Telluride should you buy?
Any version of the 2027 Kia Telluride hybrid is worth considering if you need a family SUV with sturdy handling and a powerful engine that gets great gas mileage. It can also haul a family of up to seven people.
With gas prices remaining stubbornly high, the national average on Tuesday, Sept. 8 is $4.15, according to AAA, I would recommend opting for the hybrid. The price difference between the two versions is negligible: The gas-powered X-Pro starts at $56,790, while the top trim hybrid model starts at $57,590.
The gas savings will more than make up for the difference. The hybrid model I tested got over 450 miles on a single tank, while the gas-powered model got about 380 miles. That difference can add up over a life of owning the vehicle.
If you're looking for more an off-road experience and less of a family hauler, the X-Pro might be for you. But for most people shopping for a modern three-row SUVs, fuel efficiency and functionality will likely trump off-road capabilities.
Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at klaing@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: I drove two versions of the Kia Telluride. Is the gas or hybrid better?
