Honda Passport vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold and polarizing design that divided opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality shifted significantly with different color and trim options, with lighter colors making the body-colored vertical strakes appear jarring, while darker shades offered a more harmonious look. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile showcased unique angular fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, which some found unnecessary. The rear view adopted a Range Rover-like style with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, with its optional Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone palette reminiscent of Volvo, though the silver button labeling was hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm, but the surrounding materials were of excellent quality.

The 2027 Honda Passport boasted a handsome, upright stance with large windows for good visibility. Even the base RTL trim exuded a rugged vibe, enhanced by distinctive daytime running lights and, in the TrailSport trims, orange front recovery hooks and all-terrain tires. The TrailSport models also featured amber hood-scoop lights, adding a cool factor. The interior offered gray cloth and leather seats with a premium look, though some hard plastic areas detracted from the overall feel. Upgrading to TrailSport trims improved materials, with textured topographical map mats and easy-to-clean leatherette seating surfaces. The TrailSport Elite trim added perforated leather and all-season floor mats, making it practical for outdoor adventures.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid version added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The Telluride Hybrid delivered a quiet and smooth ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The X-Pro Prestige trim offered a comfortable ride despite its lifted off-road suspension, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, though not particularly sporty, and the brake pedal effort was soft but responsive in panic stops.

The 2027 Honda Passport came standard with a V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It provided smooth highway acceleration and sufficient torque for low-speed off-road maneuvers. The TrailSport models featured reengineered suspension, offering a smoother ride and an extra 1.38 inches of ground clearance. The Trail mode was effective in navigating tough obstacles, and the TrailCam provided excellent visibility. The Passport's off-road capabilities were enhanced by steel skid plates and optional rock sliders, making it a capable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low-mounted seat cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, though they took longer to slide and tilt forward for third-row access. The Telluride provided generous cargo space, with up to 89.3 cubic feet of capacity when the second-row seatbacks were folded flat. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds (4,500 for the Hybrid) and offered practical storage solutions for smaller items.

The 2027 Honda Passport excelled in practicality, with usable front and rear cupholders and a convenient dash cubby for small items. It offered 44 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, with underfloor storage options. The Passport's flat floor made the middle seat in the second row more usable for adults. However, the seats were firm and could be uncomfortable on long trips, and the high ride height made entry challenging without a hand grip on the A-pillar. Despite these drawbacks, the Passport's practicality and spaciousness made it a strong contender in its class.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and customizable themes. The system was user-friendly, though it required firm taps and had occasional delays. The Telluride SX trim and above came with a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2027 Honda Passport offered a wealth of standard tech features, including a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 10.2-inch digital cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a TrailWatch camera system. The TrailSport Elite trim added a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system and other premium features. The TrailWatch cameras were particularly useful for off-road adventures, providing high-definition views and staying active up to 15 mph. The Honda Trail Experience app offered additional functionality, displaying various vehicle metrics on the infotainment screen.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came equipped with standard advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added a surround-view camera system and other advanced features. The driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips.

The 2027 Honda Passport included Honda Sensing as standard, with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also offered blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a multi-angle rearview camera. While safety ratings for the 2027 model were not available, the 2026 Passport received high marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, suggesting strong safety performance for the 2027 model.