Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Kia Telluride

The 2025 Kia Telluride presented a sophisticated and robust appearance, with five core trim levels ranging from the base LX to the luxurious SX Prestige. Prices started at $36,390 and went up to $51,390, excluding a $1,415 destination charge. The X-Line package, available on all but the LX and S trims, added features like AWD, a locking center differential, and increased ground clearance, with prices from $46,485 to $52,785. The X-Pro trim further enhanced the EX X-Line and SX Prestige X-Line with all-terrain tires and increased towing capacity, priced at $47,385 and $53,685, respectively. Our test vehicle, the SX Prestige X-Pro, featured premium touches like Terracotta Nappa leather and a Midnight Lake Blue paint, bringing the MSRP to $56,240. The Telluride's design stood out in a crowded SUV market, though the blacked-out X-Line and X-Pro trims muted some of its character.

Inside, the Telluride offered a luxurious experience with a black-over-Terracotta interior, simulated wood trim, and metallic accents. The dual-screen display on the dashboard added a modern touch, though some controls were difficult to see in daylight. Despite some lower-quality plastics, the cabin felt upscale, with features like a dual-screen display and user-friendly buttons and knobs for easy operation of the infotainment and climate systems.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued Subaru's tradition of evolutionary improvements, maintaining its attractive design with subtle updates. The third-generation Crosstrek featured new sheet metal and chassis construction, with a distinctive frameless grille and aerodynamic enhancements for improved efficiency. The Hybrid model was available in Sport and Limited trims, with our test vehicle being the Limited Hybrid. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, featuring soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The gray StarTex seats with orange stitching added a touch of style, while chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent. The Limited Hybrid also included a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof, enhancing the cabin's airy feel.

The 2025 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the LX, S, EX, and SX trims, while AWD was standard on other versions and optional on the S, EX, and SX models. The Telluride offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with AWD models also featuring a Snow mode. Despite some competitors switching to turbocharged four-cylinders, the Telluride's V6 provided smooth and ample power, achieving 20.2 mpg over 1,200 miles, aligning with its EPA rating. The X-Pro package's all-terrain tires excelled off-road but sacrificed some on-pavement grip. The Telluride's suspension handled rough roads well, though brake pedal behavior was occasionally sticky in traffic.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with a 118-hp traction motor, producing a total of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek yet, with smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid system used two motor-generators for engine start/stop, battery charging, and driving assistance. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 36 mpg estimate, possibly due to dirt road driving. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided excellent off-road capability. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and body lean was reduced compared to older models.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with features like heated and ventilated second-row seats, USB-C ports, and smartphone storage sleeves. The driver's seat offered a lumbar massage function, enhancing long drives. Second-row passengers enjoyed reclining captain's chairs, a rear climate control zone, and ample legroom, with a glass roof panel adding to the experience. The third-row seat, while folded for luggage during our trip, was comfortable for adults. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the seats down, and 87 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on previous iterations with more horsepower and cargo space. The 2026 model offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded. The gas tank remained a generous 16.6 gallons, allowing for long-distance travel without frequent refueling. Rear-seat space was ample, with 36.7 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and deep door pockets.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 10-inch head-up display in the SX Prestige trim. The head-up display provided blind-spot alerts, while the Blind Spot View Monitor showed live video feeds during lane changes. However, the Telluride lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, relying on a USB-A data port. The native voice recognition system was basic, but the Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though the software was slow and prone to fingerprints. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, many controls were touchscreen-based, which could be frustrating. The Limited Hybrid trim included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps. Physical buttons for volume, tuning, and HVAC controls were appreciated but limited.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's Drive Wise system included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system offered semi-autonomous highway driving, with additional features like evasive steering assist and a surround-view camera on higher trims. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid's safety features included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. The 2025 Crosstrek received a Marginal rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test, prompting Subaru to add rear side-curtain airbags. The NHTSA awarded the 2025 Crosstrek a five-star overall rating, but the 2026 model had not yet been rated.