🔰 10 Best Cars Similar To The Kia Telluride
⚡ 2026‑2027 ultimate guide • full specs • hybrid & off‑road • fuel calculator • FAQ
1 Hyundai Palisade (2026 redesign)
Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
2026Powertrain: 3.5L turbo V6 hybrid (335 hp, 350 lb‑ft) with 8‑speed dual‑clutch. Also a 3.8L V6 (291 hp) carries over. Drivetrain: FWD std, HTRAC AWD available. Cargo: 18.0 cu‑ft behind 3rd, 86.4 max. Towing: 5,500 lb. Fuel economy (hybrid): 22 city / 28 hwy. The 2026 redesign brings a curved 12.3″ display, digital key 2.0, and highway driving assist 2. Second row captains chairs available. Trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited, Calligraphy. The Calligraphy adds nappa leather, microsuede headliner, and 20″ alloys.
2 Toyota Grand Highlander (2026)
Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max
2026Powertrains: 2.4L turbo (265 hp, 310 lb‑ft); 2.5L hybrid (245 hp); 2.4L Hybrid Max (362 hp, 400 lb‑ft). Transmission: 8‑speed auto (turbo) / eCVT (hybrid) / 6‑speed auto (Hybrid Max). Cargo: 20.6 cu‑ft behind 3rd, 97.5 max – best in class. Towing: 5,000 lb (5,500 with Hybrid Max). Fuel economy (Hybrid Max): 24/29. Third‑row legroom is 33.5″ – segment leader. Standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. Available panoramic view monitor and 12.3″ screen.
3 Honda Pilot TrailSport (2026)
Honda Pilot TrailSport
2026Engine: 3.5L V6 (285 hp, 262 lb‑ft) – 10‑speed auto. Drivetrain: i‑VTM4 torque‑vectoring AWD (TrailSport). Cargo: 18.6 cu‑ft behind 3rd, 87.0 max. Towing: 5,000 lb. Off‑road: 8.3″ ground clearance, steel skid plates, all‑terrain tires, and exclusive suspension tuning. Cabin features available 9″ touchscreen, wireless Apple/Android, and TrailWatch camera system. No hybrid, but reliability is top tier. Third row fits adults on shorter trips.
4 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S (2026)
Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo S
2026Engine: 3.3L inline‑6 turbo (340 hp, 369 lb‑ft) – 8‑speed auto. Also PHEV (323 hp, 25 mi EV range). Drivetrain: rear‑biased i‑Activ AWD. Cargo: 14.9 cu‑ft behind 3rd, 75.3 max – smaller than Telluride. Towing: 5,000 lb. Luxury: nappa leather, wood trim, available 12.3″ display, and i‑DM driving dynamics. Third row is best for kids, but driver engagement is unmatched. New for 2026: standard wireless charging and traffic jam assist.
5 Volkswagen Atlas (2026 facelift)
Volkswagen Atlas SEL R‑Line
2026Engine: 2.0L turbo‑4 (269 hp, 273 lb‑ft) – 8‑speed auto. Drivetrain: FWD / 4Motion AWD. Cargo: 20.6 cu‑ft behind 3rd, 96.8 max. Towing: 5,000 lb. Fuel economy: 21/27. The 2026 refresh adds IQ.Drive suite, larger touchscreen (12″), and ventilated seats on SEL. Massive second‑row legroom (41.3″). No V6 remains, but the turbo feels punchy.
6 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 (2026)
Chevrolet Traverse Z71
2026Engine: 2.5L turbo‑4 (328 hp, 326 lb‑ft) – 8‑speed auto. Drivetrain: FWD / AWD with off‑road tuning on Z71. Cargo: 23.0 cu‑ft behind 3rd, 98.0 max. Towing: 5,000 lb. Off‑road: Z71 adds skid plates, all‑terrain tires, hill descent, and unique fascia. Super Cruise available on higher trims. Interior features 17.7″ diagonal screen, spacious third row. Fuel economy: 20/25.
7 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 4xe (2026)
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit 4xe
2026Powertrain: 2.0L turbo PHEV (375 hp, 470 lb‑ft) – 8‑speed auto. EV range: 25 miles. Drivetrain: 4xe with low range, air suspension available. Cargo: 17.2 cu‑ft behind 3rd, 84.6 max. Towing: 6,000 lb. Luxury interior with McIntosh audio, massaging seats, and upscale materials. Third row is tight, but off‑road capability is unmatched. Fuel economy (gas): 23 mpg combined.
8 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek (2026)
Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek
2026Engine: 3.5L V6 (284 hp, 259 lb‑ft) – 9‑speed auto. Drivetrain: FWD / intelligent 4WD. Rock Creek: 0.5″ lift, all‑terrain tires, roof basket, orange accents. Cargo: 16.6 cu‑ft behind 3rd, 80.5 max. Towing: 6,000 lb. Fuel economy: 20/26. Interior materials trail the Telluride, but the Pathfinder offers a comfortable ride and proven V6.
9 Kia Carnival (2026 Hybrid)
Kia Carnival Hybrid
2026Powertrain: 1.6L turbo hybrid (242 hp, 271 lb‑ft) – 6‑speed auto. Drivetrain: FWD. Cargo: 40.2″ of rear legroom, 145.2 ft³ max. Towing: 3,500 lb. Fuel economy: 30 mpg combined. Sliding doors make access easy, and interior space crushes any SUV. Available VIP lounge seats (second row with leg rests). 2026 adds highway driving assist and blind‑spot view monitor.
10 Ford Explorer King Ranch (2026)
Ford Explorer King Ranch
2026Engine: 3.0L hybrid V6 (400 hp, 415 lb‑ft) – 10‑speed auto. Also 2.3L EcoBoost (300 hp). Drivetrain: RWD / intelligent 4WD. Cargo: 18.2 cu‑ft behind 3rd, 87.8 max. Towing: 5,600 lb. Fuel economy (hybrid): 25 combined. King Ranch features deluxe leather, wood trim, and 10.1″ touchscreen. Third row legroom is 32.2″ – adequate for adults. Rear‑wheel drive platform aids handling.
📊 Full Specifications Comparison (Top 8)
| Model | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb‑ft) | 0-60 | MPG (comb) | Cargo behind 3rd | Max cargo | Towing | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Palisade | 3.5T hybrid | 335 | 350 | 6.3 | 25 | 18.0 | 86.4 | 5,500 | $38,900 |
| Toyota Grand Highlander | 2.4T Hybrid Max | 362 | 400 | 6.2 | 26 | 20.6 | 97.5 | 5,000 | $39,500 |
| Honda Pilot | 3.5L V6 | 285 | 262 | 6.8 | 21 | 18.6 | 87.0 | 5,000 | $38,500 |
| Mazda CX-90 | 3.3T I6 | 340 | 369 | 6.1 | 24 | 14.9 | 75.3 | 5,000 | $41,500 |
| Volkswagen Atlas | 2.0T | 269 | 273 | 7.1 | 23 | 20.6 | 96.8 | 5,000 | $37,800 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 2.5T | 328 | 326 | 6.5 | 22 | 23.0 | 98.0 | 5,000 | $38,200 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L | 2.0T PHEV | 375 | 470 | 5.8 | 23 (gas) | 17.2 | 84.6 | 6,000 | $43,500 |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 3.5L V6 | 284 | 259 | 6.9 | 22 | 16.6 | 80.5 | 6,000 | $37,000 |
🧮 Fuel Cost: Telluride vs. Any Rival
Compare annual fuel cost between 2026 Kia Telluride (V6: 24 mpg combined / Hybrid: 26 mpg) and a competitor.
*Telluride V6 24 mpg used for calculation. Toggle hybrid mpg manually.