Ford Bronco Sport vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact SUV that embraced rugged styling, setting itself apart from the more urban-focused Ford Escape. Its design featured a rectangular grille with inset round headlights and "Bronco" lettering, reminiscent of the larger Bronco model. The Bronco Sport maintained a square silhouette with a long, flat hood and upright greenhouse, giving it a cute yet rugged appearance. For 2025, the styling remained largely unchanged, except for the introduction of off-road packages like the Black Diamond and Sasquatch, which added modular steel bumpers and underbody protection. The interior, while less distinctive, was functional and included new features like centre-console grab handles and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories.

In contrast, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold and polarizing design. Its grille spanned the entire width of the front end, creating a flat and faceless look that divided opinions. The Telluride's personality varied with colour and trim, with body-coloured vertical strakes adding to its unique appearance. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks. The side profile featured angular fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, while the rear view adopted a Range Rover-like style with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride's interior was simple and modern, with a horizontal dashboard layout and a two-tone palette in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, offered comfort but had firm cushions that could be uncomfortable on long drives.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport retained its powertrain options from the previous year. Most trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands models featured a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with manual-shifting capability available on the 2.0-litre models. The Bronco Sport's all-wheel-drive system included a dual-clutch rear-drive unit for torque vectoring, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Sasquatch Package, new for 2025, added features like 29-inch all-terrain tires, off-road suspension, and steel underbody protection. The Bronco Sport's G.O.A.T. modes allowed it to tackle various terrains, and its on-road comfort was impressive for a vehicle with such off-road prowess.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid version added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain was paired with a six-speed transmission. While the hybrid was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims, it offered a smooth and quiet ride. The Telluride Hybrid's transition between electric and gas power was seamless, and its ride comfort was notable, even with the stiffer suspension of the Hybrid SX Prestige trim. The Telluride's handling was composed, and its braking system provided immediate response during panic stops.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport offered practicality without compromising its off-road focus. It provided more headroom in both the first and second rows compared to competitors like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk and Subaru Forester Wilderness. However, it lagged in second-row legroom. The Bronco Sport boasted 920 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,846 litres with them folded, although higher trims had slightly reduced capacity. The vehicle included features like generous cupholders, a wireless charging pad, and a dedicated device tray on the dashboard. It could tow up to 1,225 kilograms with the turbo-four engine, surpassing some rivals.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered 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 in the top-trim hybrid model. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 631 litres behind the third row and up to 2,528 litres with the second-row seatbacks folded. The hybrid models lost only about 30 litres of cargo space. The Telluride's towing capacity reached 2,268 kilograms, or 2,040 kilograms for the hybrid. Interior storage included a large centre bin, deployable cupholders, and additional trays and bins for second and third-row passengers.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport upgraded to the Ford Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, enhancing the vehicle's premium feel. The infotainment menus were well-designed, and the 360-degree camera system provided valuable assistance during off-road driving. The cameras automatically activated in off-road modes, offering both overhead and low-angle front views.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with dual wireless phone chargers. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, it occasionally experienced delays and required firm taps. The Telluride offered a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, delivering powerful and clear sound. Lower trims featured an eight-speaker system.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The IIHS awarded it a "Good" score in the small overlap front test and a "Marginal" score in the updated moderate overlap front test. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Reverse automatic emergency braking and traffic sign recognition were optional on certain trims.

At the time of writing, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it was expected to include standard advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and blind-spot cameras. The highway driving assist was particularly helpful on long trips, maintaining lane centring and smooth speed changes.