Kia Sportage vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Kia Sportage showcased a refreshed styling that gave it a more rugged, truck-like appearance, ensuring it stood out in the compact crossover segment. The wide grille design, which pushed the headlights to the corners, was retained but became more rectangular, with vertical headlights and daytime running lights. This design aligned the Sportage with the larger Sorento and Telluride models, enhancing its rugged appeal. Despite these changes, the rest of the vehicle's design remained largely unchanged, with a curvaceous rear end and taillights that didn't quite match the restyled front. The Sportage's 2,755-millimetre wheelbase was notably longer than its competitors, adding visual interest with crisp body lines.

Inside, the 2026 Sportage featured a new steering wheel with a squared-off rim and a large rectangular centre, reminiscent of early airbag-equipped wheels from the late 1980s. The dashboard lost its large air vents, making the curved screen more prominent. While the materials weren't luxurious, they had a quality feel suitable for active lifestyles. The U.S. specification Sportage X-Pro off-road grade was not available in Canada, but the X-Line models offered off-road appearance packages with unique bumpers and tread-like stitching on the SynTex upholstery. The EX Premium trim and other models came with varying wheel sizes, adding to the vehicle's versatility.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold reinterpretation of its design, which polarized opinions with its flat, faceless grille spanning the entire front end. The vehicle's personality shifted significantly depending on the colour and trim level, with body-coloured vertical strakes at each edge that appeared jarring in lighter shades but blended harmoniously in darker ones. 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, adding an odd novelty to the design. 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, though the silver buttons and cream-coloured infotainment shortcuts were difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, had flat and firm cushions, which could be uncomfortable on long drives. Material quality was excellent, with options like engineered wood and carbon fibre trim surfaces. The Telluride's interior space was ample, with power-adjustable second-row seats and a variety of storage options, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2026 Kia Sportage offered a range of powertrains, including conventional gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The gas powertrain featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering 232 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque for hybrids, and 268 hp for plug-in hybrids. While the base engine was less powerful, it was competitive with rivals, and the hybrid options provided more refinement and torque.

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, with a six-speed transmission. The Telluride Hybrid offered a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The X-Pro model excelled in off-road settings, while the hybrid provided ample power and comfort for everyday driving. Both models delivered a luxurious ride, with the hybrid offering a quieter interior and composed handling on winding roads.

The 2026 Kia Sportage's exterior changes didn't affect its interior space, which remained competitive in the segment. Headroom and legroom were comparable to rivals, with rear-seat legroom surpassing the Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,098 litres available with the rear seats folded and the dual-level cargo floor in its lower position. The Sportage's towing capacity was 1,130 kilograms for non-hybrid models and 900 kilograms for hybrids. The centre console offered ample storage, with a wireless charging pad, adjustable cupholders, and a large storage bin.

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 comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The Telluride's cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 2,528 litres available with the second-row seats folded. The hybrid model lost only about 30 litres of cargo space. The Telluride's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms for standard models and 2,040 kilograms for hybrids. The interior offered various storage options, including a large centre bin, deployable cupholders, and trays for smaller items.

The 2026 Kia Sportage came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. The X-Line Limited trim featured a Harman Kardon premium audio system, head-up display, and digital key functionality. The infotainment system had sharp graphics and large icons, but usability was hindered by screen-centric interfaces and shared control panels for climate and audio functions.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with dual wireless phone chargers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required firm taps and had occasional delays. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system was optional, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2026 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Higher trims added Highway Driving Assist, a surround-view camera system, and a blind-spot view monitor. The Sportage received the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid was expected to include standard safety features like 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 automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's highway driving assist was particularly helpful, though the driver attention monitor had operational issues, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful.