I Drove the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid: Here’s Why It Won Best Hybrid at Drive RevolutionAutoblogCole AttishaSat, September 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Some vehicles win comparison tests by dominating one specific category so decisively that their specialization captivates the hearts and minds of automotive journalists like me, who revel in the mastery of single-mindedness. These can be anything from the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient to the most exciting entrants in their respective groupings. The best family vehicles, however, tend to win for vastly different reasons. Rather than acing one subject and scraping by on the rest, the best family cars—SUVs, especially—are made up of dozens of very small yet impactful decisions that result in a package so cohesively well-rounded that families can't help but fall in love with them; parents and children alike.That, as it turned out, was the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid's preferred strategy when it took on the Northwest Automotive Press Association's annual Drive Revolution competition in Vancouver, Washington. Seventeen automotive journalists evaluated 20 new vehicles before naming the Telluride the event's Best Hybrid. I was one of them, and it received my vote, too. As with every test drive at Drive Revolution, my time with the vehicle was limited to about 30 minutes, yet I was almost immediately convinced the Telluride Hybrid would be a massive hit with its target audience. It's great to drive, looks modern and mature, feels remarkably refined, and makes effective use of its considerable dimensions. More importantly, every part of it appears to understand what an active family needs from a three-row SUV2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWDCole Attisha2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWDSpecificationPowertrain2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybridOutput329 hp / 339 lb-ftTransmissionSix-speed automaticDrivetrainAWDEPA fuel economy30 city / 32 highway / 31 combined mpgMaximum towing capacity4,500 poundsSeating capacitySevenCargo space behind third row21.3 cubic feetU.S. Base MSRP$57,590As-tested price$61,180Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWDCole AttishaThe Telluride Won For Its Exceptional BalanceThe Telluride competed against an unusually diverse field of hybrids this year. Rather than force a comparison with the much smaller, lower, and more driver-focused Honda Prelude, which was also present in the same category by sheer technicality, it makes much more sense to examine it alongside the other partially electrified SUVs: the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport, Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, and Jeep Cherokee. The Kia was considerably larger than all three, and the only one to offer a third row, yet size alone didn't earn it the award. Even though I don't require those extra seats, this is still the SUV I would have chosen for myself.AdvertisementAdvertisementOf course, it's important to note that the Telluride Hybrid did not face any of its most direct three-row hybrid SUV rivals, such as the Toyota Grand Highlander, the Mazda CX-90, or the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, with which the Telluride shares plenty of DNA. It's entirely possible that, had any of these models shown up, the outcome could have been different. Still, when pitted against other three-row family SUV rivals earlier this year at NWAPA's Mudfest competition, the Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige came out on top in its category, beating the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro, the Honda Pilot Elite, and even the Genesis GV80 Prestige Black.2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWDCole Attisha2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWDCole Attisha2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWDCole AttishaOut of all the hybrid SUVs in attendance, the Telluride Hybrid delivered the most convincing combination of material quality, intelligent ergonomics, creative design, usable technology, and satisfying driving dynamics. It possessed enough road presence to make itself known without appearing desperate for attention, and, especially finished in Black Jade Green with the X-Line's blackened exterior details, it looked trendy and adventurous yet serious and earnestly deserving of its somewhat playful cues.That same balance continued inside, where the curved dashboard felt cohesive, the physical controls remained intuitive, and the abundance of space never made the cabin feel empty or impersonal. Kia's design team has crafted an intentional atmosphere rather than merely filling a dashboard with screens. Some harder plastics remain visible, particularly lower in the cabin, but the suede headliner, engineered-wood accents, comfortable seating, and sheer abundance of features compensate effectively. The third row remains a bit tight for adults, but children and teenagers should find it entirely usable.2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWDCole AttishaAdvertisementAdvertisementA Hybrid That Lets You Forget It's A HybridThe Telluride pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with electric assistance for 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. Those figures represent considerably more output than the gasoline-only Telluride, but the hybrid doesn't necessarily feel dramatically faster. What it aims for instead is to feel smoother, quieter, and more responsive, which benefits a large family SUV more usefully than sheer speed alone ever could. Some turbo lag remains, but the electric motor fills most of that gap before the engine reaches its productive range. Push the accelerator hard enough, and the four-cylinder can sound a little bit coarse, while the Telluride's considerable mass occasionally leaves me wishing for just a bit more power. A hybrid system paired with a larger V6—perhaps the 3.5-liter unit still available in the Telluride's platform twin, the Palisade—would be an intriguing premium-upgrade offering, although the existing combination remains more than adequate for normal use.Its conventional six-speed automatic also makes an enormous difference to the experience. There are real gears shifting beneath the surface, giving acceleration a natural rhythm that several other hybrids lack, even when they mimic shift points. The response isn't as linear or immediate as it would be in an EV, but that almost becomes part of the Telluride's appeal. You simply operate it like a normal automobile and eventually forget it's a hybrid at all, only to be reminded later on at the gas pump, where its EPA-rated 31-mpg combined figure should make the experience considerably less painful. Its steering-wheel paddles are genuinely functional, too. Unlike those in the RAV4 GR Sport—which provide little sensation that anything meaningful is happening—the Telluride's paddles provide real control over its behavior. Its drive modes produce tangible but restrained alterations without attempting to reinvent its sense of control. Regenerative braking is similarly unobtrusive—it isn't nearly as strong as the one-pedal-style calibration found in many EVs, but it blends smoothly into the conventional brakes and disappears into the background. Passengers prone to motion sickness will appreciate the absence of abrupt regenerative deceleration.2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWDCole AttishaHybrid Technology Improves More Than Fuel EconomyKia equips the hybrid with electronic dynamic torque-vectoring control, which uses braking and motor control to improve stability and handling. Compared with the gasoline Telluride X-Pro I drove at Mudfest, the Hybrid felt more composed and quieter on pavement. It changed direction confidently for something of its size and delivered a level of polish that suited its family-luxury aspirations. Its brake-pedal calibration felt natural, its inputs were consistently satisfying, and its ride remained comfortable without feeling cumbersome or nautical. It never pretended to be a performance SUV, but it also didn't use its family-oriented mission as an excuse for lazy responses. The mechanically related Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, though, still feels slightly tighter and more intuitive to drive, as both vehicles are calibrated differently to give each a distinct feel. Although their output figures are identical, the two don't feel like interchangeable products with swapped badges.Shopping for a new car? Click here to get a great deal on your next vehicle. Powered by Carvana, no haggle pricing, 100% online.2026 Hyundai Palisade HybridCole AttishaThe Palisade Hybrid Is Still Its Greatest Problem, But That's Not Such A Bad Thing…The Telluride's $61,180 as-tested price includes Black Jade Green paint, a towing package, and several cargo and floor-protection accessories. That is serious money for a Kia, even one as comprehensively equipped as this. But I think its most pressing problem comes from within its own Hyundai Motor Group family tree. I still prefer the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid's more traditionally upscale interior, slightly more intuitive driving dynamics, and exterior styling. The Palisade feels softer and more luxurious, while the Telluride leans harder into adventurous imagery and practical versatility. Both have their own comparative strengths and weaknesses, but I enjoyed the Palisade's driving dynamics ever so slightly more, and it costs ever so slightly less—a base Palisade Hybrid comes in at nearly $2,000 less than a base Telluride Hybrid. If I were weighing the two against each other (because why wouldn't you), I'd have a tough time finalizing the paperwork on the Telluride if I knew a Palisade was just across the street.AdvertisementAdvertisementNevertheless, the Telluride was unquestionably deserving of its Drive Revolution victory. None of the other hybrid SUVs demonstrated such a wholehearted understanding of who their intended buyers are and what exactly they desire. The RAV4 GR Sport was more overtly niche in its enthusiast-chasing mission, the CX-50 Hybrid was more compact and very approachable, and the Cherokee offered good looks and great efficiency. The Kia simply did more things well. It's ideally suited to active families who need real space but refuse to accept something dull, poorly finished, or unpleasant to drive. It can carry children, equipment, and everything accumulated between home and the next weekend destination without feeling or looking like a minivan. The Telluride Hybrid won because it felt most in tune with the wants and needs of its most loyal customers. It's evident that Kia understands its audience exceptionally well, and sometimes that understanding is more valuable than acing any single category. This year, at Drive Revolution, it was enough for it to win the whole hybrid class.Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.