Genesis GV70 vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Genesis GV70 showcased Hyundai's luxury arm's prowess in crafting premium vehicles, embodying the "Athletic Elegance" design philosophy. Its refined style was marked by a strong grille, a sleek profile, and a distinctive roofline. The GV70 was available in eight colours in Canada, including four matte hues and the new Ceres Blue, inspired by the first dwarf planet discovered by humanity. The front fascia featured a sharpened crest-shaped grille flanked by two-line headlamps with micro lens array lighting elements. The skid plate at the bottom added a bold design element, while the Sport trim's intake resembled a catfish's open mouth, contributing to its polished and unique appearance.

Inside, the 2026 GV70's dashboard underwent significant changes, dominated by a 27-inch OLED screen. While some oval-shaped elements remained, the overall look was luxurious, enhanced by redesigned interior lighting. The Sport model differed with a unique grille pattern, dark chrome moulding, and 21-inch wheels, while the interior boasted carbon fibre trim. Flashy interior colours included deep blue with orange contrast stitching or bright red paired with black for a sporty look, while more subdued options like black and beige were also available.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold reinterpretation of design, polarizing opinions 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. In lighter colours, these strakes appeared jarring, but they blended harmoniously in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced the 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, adding an odd novelty. The rear view adopted a different style with rounded corners and vertical taillights, reminiscent of a Range Rover.

Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout with a stark, buttonless modern appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, akin to Volvo's offerings. However, the silver buttons and cream-coloured infotainment shortcut buttons were difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, had flat and firm cushions, creating discomfort on longer drives. Material quality was excellent, with options like engineered wood and carbon fibre trim. The Telluride's interior was spacious, with ample room for adults in all three rows, though the rear seats were better suited for smaller passengers.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 featured a base 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup. The 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 in the 3.5T Sport trim delivered 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, providing exhilarating performance. The U.S. Sport Prestige configuration offered a seamless driving experience with Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, along with a new Terrain Mode for Snow, Mud, and Sand settings. Comfort mode provided a relaxing experience with direct steering feel, while Sport+ allowed for wheel slippage for performance enthusiasts. New hydro bushings and Highway Body Motion Control improved ride comfort, while the Road Preview feature used cameras to enhance suspension control.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid was powered by 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 version added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed transmission. The hybrid powertrain was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was expected in the X-Line trim. The Telluride Hybrid offered ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. Both Tellurides were tuned for comfort, delivering a smooth ride, with the X-Pro surprisingly comfortable despite its off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with 20-inch wheels, but the suspension managed to absorb bumps effectively. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required adjustment.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 offered ample space for tall drivers in the front seats, with most controls easily accessible. However, the 27-inch OLED screen was partially blocked by the steering wheel, necessitating a good driving position for optimal visibility. The wide centre console featured a rotary shifter and infotainment dial, which could be confusing when shifting gears. The rear seats provided headroom, elbow room, and shoulder room for six-foot occupants, but rear legroom was not the car's strongest suit. The sloping rear roofline made the back seat feel cramped, and cargo space was adequate but less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rear seats were better suited for smaller passengers. The seat cushions were mounted low, reducing thigh support, but headroom and legroom were adequate. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 631 litres of cargo behind the third row, with a maximum capacity of 2,528 litres with the seats folded. The hybrid models lost only about 30 litres of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, or 2,040 kilograms for the hybrid.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 featured a 27-inch OLED touchscreen infotainment system with over-the-air updates, customizable themes, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen displayed external camera angles, including a 360-degree Surround View Monitor. A customizable digital gauge cluster included map views, ADAS readouts, and phone projection. Additional voice commands controlled climate, infotainment, and windows, though some features were not fully functional. The GV70 included Genesis Digital Key and a fingerprint authentication system for keyless entry and start.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. Lower trims in the U.S. had a smaller 4.2-inch instrument panel. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was user-friendly but had some delays and required hard taps. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system delivered powerful sound, while lower trims had an eight-speaker system.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive package of advanced safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and more. The Genesis Highway Driving Assist II technology detected hands on the steering wheel and proved reliable. Although the 2026 model had not been tested by safety organizations, previous versions received high ratings, and similar results were expected.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features like forward collision warning, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor occasionally triggered at night, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful. The highway driving assist was effective on long trips, maintaining lane centring and smooth speed changes.