Midsize three-row SUV
2026 Kia Telluride: buying summary
The family three-row that punches above its price
- MSRP range
- $36,690–$52,990
- Combined MPG
- 23
- Body style
- Midsize three-row SUV
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
Pros
- Interior materials and space beat every rival including Palisade at equivalent trims
- 5,000 lb tow rating standard across all trims — beats the Highlander Hybrid by 2,000 lb
- Second-row heated and ventilated seats from EX trim, rare below $45K in any class
- 12.3-inch dual-screen infotainment (12.3-in cluster + 12.3-in touchscreen) is intuitive and fast, the segment's best UI
Cons
- No hybrid or PHEV option; the Highlander Hybrid beats it by 13 mpg combined
- Assembled in Georgia, so it's tariff-immune, but no electrified powertrain to offset fuel cost
- Third-row space is competitive but not best-in-class (Honda Pilot has better ingress)
- SX and SX Prestige pricing at $48K+ crosses into Genesis GV80 territory
Best trim: EX AWD
EX AWD is the sweet spot. Real leather, heated first and second rows, wireless CarPlay, the 12.3-inch screen, power liftgate, and blind-spot view monitor — around $44K MSRP. SX adds a panoramic sunroof and 360 cameras for $3K more; worth it if you park in tight spaces. Skip X-Line unless you actually go off-road.
What to cross-shop
- Hyundai Palisade
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Honda Pilot
Verdict
Buy the Telluride if interior quality, towing, and third-row practicality matter more than fuel economy. The Highlander Hybrid saves class="relative z-10",200– class="relative z-10",800 per year in fuel at average mileage — after 4 years, the Telluride's cheaper sticker is consumed by that gap. Short ownership cycle or heavy towing needs? The Telluride wins.
Personalized research
Have CARMIND build a custom report on the 2026 Kia Telluride →
Same vehicle, sized to your budget and use case. Includes comparable models, current incentives, and what to push back on at the dealer.