BMW X3 vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive was available starting at $64,092, including destination charges, but it was easy to spend an additional $10,000 to $15,000 on upgrades, making the compact SUV feel worth every penny. The X3 M50 variant, priced from $81,592, featured numerous upgrades, including a costly Frozen Deep Grey paint job, 21-inch wheels, Merino leather upholstery, and ventilated front seats, pushing the MSRP to over $100,000 Canadian. Despite the luxurious Amber over Atlas Grey leather, the austere cabin design struggled to justify the six-figure price tag. The X3's cold, industrial design, described by BMW as "monolithic," was an acquired taste, with the illuminated grille surround at night giving off "pick-me" vibes. BMW attempted to enhance the interior for 2026 by adding standard artificial leather to the dashboard and door panels and upgrading the X3 30 xDrive’s interior trim.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold reinterpretation that polarized opinions, particularly with its flat, faceless grille spanning the entire front end. The vehicle's personality shifted with colour and trim level, with body-coloured vertical strakes at each edge blending more harmoniously in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks, both featuring distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile showcased unique faceted fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, which seemed unnecessary. The rear view adopted a different style with rounded corners and vertical taillights, reminiscent of a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's simple horizontal dashboard layout and buttonless modern appearance were less controversial. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured a luxurious two-tone palette, though the labeling on the silver buttons and cream-coloured infotainment shortcut buttons was difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, had somewhat flat and firm cushions, but the surrounding material quality was excellent for the class.

The 2026 BMW X3 M50 was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, producing 393 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, with power available almost continuously between 1,900 and 6,250 rpm. BMW claimed the M50 could accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The M50 also featured performance hardware, including an M Sport rear differential, M Sport brakes, an Adaptive M suspension, and variable sport steering. The base X3 30 xDrive, with a 255-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, could reach 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. Both models came standard with all-wheel drive and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, ensuring a smooth automatic engine stop/start system. The X3 M50 had a towing capacity of 2,200 kilograms, while the base 30 xDrive could handle 1,800 kilograms. Despite its firm ride, the X3 M50 was an agreeable commuter, with a tight turning radius and responsive steering.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid model added electric motors, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed transmission. The Telluride Hybrid was noticeably quieter, with a seamless transition between electric and gas power. Both Tellurides were tuned for comfort, delivering a smooth ride. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro model was surprisingly comfortable with its off-road suspension. The Telluride was composed and controllable on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment. The hybrid model's interior remained quiet over various surfaces, with minimal wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2026 BMW X3 featured heated, power-adjustable front sport seats wrapped in Veganza, BMW’s vegan artificial leather upholstery. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but rear passengers might find the seat cushion too low. The X3 offered generous cargo space, with 892 litres behind the rear seats and 1,900 litres with the rear seats folded. A temporary spare tire was included under the cargo floor.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, offering a reclining feature comparable to a business-class airline seat. The Telluride could hold up to 631 litres of cargo behind the third row, expanding to 1,379 litres with the seatbacks folded. All trims featured buttons in the cargo area to remotely fold the second-row seatbacks flat, offering up to 2,528 litres of cargo capacity. The Telluride could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, or 2,040 kilograms for the hybrid.

The 2026 BMW X3's dashboard was dominated by the BMW Curved Display, featuring a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system ran BMW Operating System 9 with QuickSelect, offering cloud-based navigation, Augmented View video, and more. However, the system had real-world issues, particularly in Guest mode, which did not remember settings. Apple CarPlay worked well, except for a peculiar instance where music played through the smartphone speaker instead of the Harman Kardon stereo.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was easy to use, though it required a hard tap to register inputs. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system was available, delivering powerful bass and clear tones.

The 2026 BMW X3 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. The optional Driving Assistant Professional Package added advanced features like lane-centring assist and adaptive cruise control with hands-free traffic jam assist. The X3 received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid was expected to include standard advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The highway driving assist was particularly helpful on longer trips, maintaining lane centring and a consistent gap to vehicles ahead.