Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that maintained its iconic upright stance, low belt line, and large windows. The new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S, gave it a fresh and modern vibe. The Upland trim added front recovery hooks that enhanced utility without compromising the vehicle's elegant design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer boasted a modern interior with clean design and strong horizontal lines. The 12-inch infotainment screen, though slightly small for the vehicle's size, was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, while plain in appearance, offered exceptional comfort and adjustability, making long drives pleasant. The cabin's trim and materials were premium, with options for Nappa and Palermo leather and a suede headliner, contributing to a high-quality fit and finish.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that polarized opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that varied in impact depending on the shade. The X-Line and X-Pro models featured distinctive grille blocks and amber accent lights. The side profile showcased angular fender sculpting and unique black plastic tabs, while 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 layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the silver and cream-colored buttons were difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm, but the surrounding materials were of excellent quality, with options for engineered wood and carbon fiber trim.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even for a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. Although the high-output Hurricane engine was no longer available, the standard engine still offered impressive performance. The Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain, combining a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack with a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, delivering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was agile and easy to drive, with excellent visibility and a quiet cabin.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid model added electric motors, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Telluride Hybrid offered a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The X-Pro Prestige trim provided off-road capabilities, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride was composed and controllable on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment. Overall, the Telluride Hybrid delivered a comfortable and quiet driving experience.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, offering three rows of seating with ample leg and hip room. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for up to eight passengers, with the third row accommodating three people comfortably. Cargo space was 27.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 42.6 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase version. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. Features like three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and Quadra-Lift air suspension added to its appeal.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rear seats were better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The Telluride's cargo capacity was 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 48.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. 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). The interior offered various storage options, including a large center bin and deployable cupholders.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. Higher trims offered features like a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system and a front passenger interactive display. However, the wireless phone charger had issues with overheating, and the 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size.

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 was user-friendly, though it required firm taps and had occasional delays. The Telluride offered customization options for the screen's appearance and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system on higher trims. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available.

The 2026 Grand Wagoneer was equipped with safety features like lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available features included a surround-view camera system and automated parking assist. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered standard safety features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims included a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips. Crash test scores were not available at the time of writing.