2025 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

$36,390 · Crossover

$40,075 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The primary quantifiable divergence between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is fuel economy, exhibiting a substantial 13 MPG difference in combined ratings (22 MPG for the Telluride vs. 35 MPG for the Tucson PHEV). The Telluride, positioned at an MSRP of $36,390, offers 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque from its standard powertrain, significantly more raw power than the Tucson PHEV’s 268 hp. However, the Tucson PHEV, priced at $40,075, offsets its higher initial cost with a 32-mile all-electric range and an increased maximum cargo capacity of 31.9 cubic feet, compared to the Telluride's 21 cubic feet. The Telluride is longer at 196.9 inches, offering a larger cabin footprint, while the Tucson counters with standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) against the Telluride's Front Wheel Drive (FWD) configuration.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is the superior commuter vehicle due to its superior 35 combined MPG rating and 32 miles of all-electric range.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Telluride

The 2025 Telluride is better suited for families requiring maximum physical space, evidenced by its longer 196.9-inch body and greater overall passenger volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Telluride

The Telluride appeals more to performance enthusiasts by delivering higher peak power output with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

Despite a $3,685 higher MSRP, the Tucson PHEV offers substantially better long-term operating value through its 35 MPG combined efficiency and EV capability.

Choose the Kia Telluride if...

You prioritize maximum horsepower, needing the 291 hp available from the standard V6 engine.
Your usage heavily favors cargo volume over passenger space, as its larger 196.9-inch frame provides a more expansive feel.
You require the simplicity of a vehicle utilizing regular unleaded fuel without range anxiety concerns.

Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...

Your daily driving needs are largely covered by the 32-mile electric-only range, maximizing fuel savings.
You need AWD capability standard, which the Tucson provides versus the Telluride's FWD baseline.
You seek the highest efficiency metric, boasting a 35 combined MPG rating.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Telluride	Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
Length	196.9"	182.7"
Width	78.3"	73.4"
Height	68.9"	66.3"
Wheelbase	114.2"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	268 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm	271 lb-ft
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	35/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	376.0/488.8 mi.	388.5/388.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	80/73 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	77 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	32 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	44
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Front Head Room	40.9 in.	40.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.6 in.	57.6 in.
Front Hip Room	58.9 in.	54.5 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	41.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	56.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.0 in.	53.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P245/60R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

What is the dollar-for-dollar value proposition difference between these two crossovers?

The Telluride starts $3,685 lower at $36,390 but sacrifices efficiency. The Tucson PHEV costs more upfront at $40,075 but delivers significant savings through its 35 combined MPG and 32-mile EV range, potentially offsetting the initial price gap over time.

How does the physical size difference impact interior utility?

The Telluride is significantly larger externally (196.9 inches long) and offers greater overall bulk, yet the Tucson PHEV provides superior measurable cargo volume at 31.9 cubic feet compared to the Telluride's 21 cubic feet, likely due to the packaging of the hybrid components in the larger vehicle.

Is the power difference between the two vehicles noticeable for daily driving?

Yes, the Telluride produces 291 hp, while the Tucson PHEV makes 268 hp, creating a 23 hp difference. However, the Tucson PHEV compensates with superior torque (271 lb-ft vs. 262 lb-ft) and the instant response from its electric motor assist.

Which vehicle is better equipped for inclement weather or towing?

The Tucson PHEV comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, offering better traction out of the box compared to the Telluride's standard Front Wheel Drive configuration.

How does the driving range compare if running purely on gasoline?

The Telluride maintains a consistent efficiency baseline rated at 22 combined MPG using regular unleaded fuel for all trips, whereas the Tucson's gasoline-only range will rely heavily on the efficiency of its 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission after the 32-mile electric range is depleted.

Are both vehicles compatible with standard 87-octane fuel?

Both the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid specify 'regular unleaded' fuel type, confirming compatibility with 87-octane gasoline.