2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid: Significant Price Jump, Long Payback Period for Fuel Savings

Daily Car

27/02/2026

Kia has officially unveiled pricing for the highly anticipated 2027 Telluride Hybrid, which has begun production in West Point, Georgia. While the hybrid powertrain offers impressive fuel efficiency, the initial cost premium over the gasoline model means it could take over six years to recoup the extra investment through fuel savings alone.

Key Takeaways

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid starts at $46,490, plus a $1,545 destination charge.
This represents a $7,300 increase over the base gasoline Telluride EX.
The hybrid model achieves an estimated 35 mpg combined, a significant improvement over the gasoline version's 26 mpg.
At current gas prices, it will take over six years to offset the price difference through fuel savings.
The hybrid powertrain delivers 329 horsepower and 459 Nm of torque.

Pricing and Fuel Economy Analysis

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid enters the market with a starting MSRP of $46,490 for the EX trim with front-wheel drive. This price point is $7,300 more than the standard Telluride EX. When factoring in the average U.S. gas price of approximately $3.18 per gallon and an average annual driving distance of 14,000 miles, the hybrid's 35 mpg combined rating saves about 138.5 gallons of fuel annually compared to the gasoline model's 26 mpg. This translates to roughly $440 in annual savings, meaning it will take a little over six years to recover the $2,700 price difference between comparable EX models.

Trim Levels and Features

The hybrid Telluride lineup mirrors the standard model's trim structure, offering a range of features across different levels:

Telluride Hybrid EX: Starts at $46,490 (FWD) and $48,490 (AWD). Standard features include LED lighting, acoustic front glass, 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, an eight-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated front seats with SynTex upholstery, second-row captain's chairs, a dual wireless smartphone charger, and tri-zone climate control. Standard driver assistance systems include Highway Driving Assist 1.5 and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go.
Telluride Hybrid SX: Starts at $51,490 (FWD) and $53,490 (AWD). Adds LED fog lights, 20-inch wheels, a dual sunroof, and satin chrome accents. The interior boasts a premium 14-speaker Meridian audio system, a 74-color ambient lighting system, and an upgraded driver's seat with memory function. Enhanced driver assistance includes Blind-Spot View Monitor and Surround View Monitor.
Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX: Starts at $54,490 (AWD only). Features a revised exterior with bridge-style roof rails, 21-inch wheels, and gloss black/matte black exterior accents. Includes a heated steering wheel.
Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige: Starts at $56,590 (AWD only). Offers satin chrome trim, low-profile roof rails, 20-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and acoustic second-row side glass. The interior is upgraded with SynTex suede seats and headliner, engineered wood trim, a digital rearview mirror, and a heads-up display.
Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige: The top-tier model starts at $57,590 (AWD only), combining features from the X-Line SX and SX Prestige trims, including 21-inch wheels and bridge-style roof rails.

Hybrid Powertrain

All 2027 Telluride Hybrid models are powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 1.65 kWh lithium-ion battery, a six-speed automatic transmission, and electric motors. This setup produces a combined output of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving up to 35 mpg combined.

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