Jeep Wrangler vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler was a vehicle that stood out with its iconic design, featuring an upright, military-style stance and a distinctive seven-slot grille. Its versatility was evident with removable doors and roof, and even a foldable windshield for a complete open-air experience. The Wrangler offered numerous customization options, ranging from basic to luxurious trims. The Willys ’41 model we tested was finished in a special army green colour, complete with matching painted wheels and a ’41 hood graphic. Accessories like exterior decals and an interior multi-function accessory bar added to its appeal. Despite its utilitarian interior with rugged materials, the Wrangler maintained a functional charm. The Willys ’41 model featured weatherproof floor mats and tan-coloured cloth seats, which were practical for adventurous outings. Hard plastic surfaces were prevalent, but they suited the Wrangler's adventurous spirit. The presence of hard buttons and dials for the HVAC system was appreciated, and the vehicle was peppered with fun Easter eggs, adding a playful touch to its design.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold reinterpretation of its design, which polarized opinions with its flat, faceless grille spanning the front end. The vehicle's personality shifted with different colours and trims, with body-coloured vertical strakes at each edge. In lighter shades, these strakes appeared jarring, while darker colours offered a more harmonious look. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks, complemented by distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile showcased unique faceted fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, which some found unnecessary. 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 modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though some buttons were difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided comfort, though the cushions were somewhat firm. Material quality was excellent, with options like engineered wood and carbon fibre trim surfaces.

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, including the Pentastar 3.6-litre V6, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, and a 6.4-litre Hemi V8. Most models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the V6 engine allowed for a six-speed manual option. Our Willys ’41 test vehicle was equipped with the V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided ample power for daily driving and highway merging, with impressive low-end torque for off-road crawling. The Wrangler's maneuverability was a highlight, making it adept at handling tight turns in urban settings. However, the knobby off-road tires contributed to rough handling and tire noise, and wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds, even with the optional hard top.

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 model added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid was paired with a six-speed transmission, while the standard engine used an eight-speed automatic. The Telluride Hybrid excelled in power delivery, with a quiet engine and seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. The vehicle offered a luxuriously smooth ride, with the X-Pro model providing surprising comfort despite its off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride's handling was composed and controllable, instilling confidence on winding roads. The brake pedal effort was soft, requiring adjustment, but brake response was immediate during panic stops.

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler was a practical choice for off-road adventures, boasting 24.6 centimetres of ground clearance and the ability to ford up to 75 centimetres of water. The four-door model offered 898 litres of cargo space behind the second-row seats, expanding to 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded flat. The two-door model had 365 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 898 litres behind the front seats. The swing-out tailgate and lift-up rear glass provided easy access to cargo, and the spare tire was conveniently mounted on the back. However, the Wrangler's practicality for back-seat passengers was limited, with a high step-in height and tight rear seating. Front seat space was also narrow, making it less comfortable for taller or broader individuals.

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 seat cushions were low to the floor, reducing thigh support, but headroom and legroom were adequate. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, providing comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel fore and aft, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride Hybrid offered 631 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,379 litres with the seatbacks folded. The maximum cargo capacity was 2,528 litres, with the hybrid models losing only about 30 litres. The Telluride could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, or 2,040 kilograms for the hybrid. The interior featured ample storage options, including a large centre bin, deployable cupholders, and door pockets.

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a two-year free trial of the Trails Offroad app. Optional tech features included a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, a digital rear-view mirror, a forward-facing TrailCam, a 7-inch display screen in the instrument cluster, and navigation. The Willys ’41 model we tested had many of these optional features, including the Alpine audio system, which was essential for highway driving due to the need for higher volume levels. The TrailCam, available on select models, was a valuable feature for off-road enthusiasts, aiding in tire placement on challenging terrain.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured 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 a native navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was user-friendly, though it required firm taps and had occasional delays. The climate control screen was challenging to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system delivered excellent sound quality, while lower trims had an eight-speaker system.

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler offered limited standard safety features, with advanced safety tech available at a cost. The base Sport trim lacked additional safety options, while the Sport S trim introduced features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. These features became standard at the Rubicon X trim level. The Wrangler received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in some crash tests and "Poor" to "Marginal" scores for headlights.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid was expected to include standard advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's driver attention monitor occasionally triggered false alerts, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful. However, the highway driving assist was praised for its effectiveness on long trips.