Volkswagen Atlas 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 noticeably 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, with its rounded corners and vertical taillights, drew comparisons to a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, equipped with the SX Prestige Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone palette reminiscent of Volvo. However, the silver button labeling and cream-colored infotainment shortcut buttons were difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, had firm cushions that could become uncomfortable on long drives, but the surrounding materials were of excellent quality.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas maintained its reputation for being a spacious and stylish SUV. The redesign was mostly successful, with a crisp character line running down the side and flared wheel arches giving it a robust appearance. The rear featured cascading taillights with selectable lighting animations, although the honeycomb lower diffuser was seen as busy. The front design, with its stacked headlights and dual light bars, was less well-received, appearing cluttered compared to the previous model. Wheel sizes ranged from 18 to 21 inches, with the larger wheels looking better in person than in photos. Inside, the Atlas took a significant step up in quality, with real wood on the dash and various leather options, including Garnet Red Nappa leather in the SEL Premium R-Line, which added warmth to the cabin. The ambient lighting system offered up to 30 colors, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Despite some complaints about the persistent use of piano-black plastic, the cabin felt more expensive than its price suggested.

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. This engine offered less horsepower but more torque than the previous V6, delivering similar performance. 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 excelled in providing a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The suspension was tuned for comfort, offering a smooth ride even in the X-Pro Prestige trim with its lifted off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension managed to absorb bumps effectively. On winding roads, the Telluride was composed and controllable, instilling confidence in drivers. The brake pedal effort was soft, requiring some adjustment, but brake response was immediate during panic stops.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas featured the latest version of the EA888 engine, producing 282 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Despite a reduction in torque to 258 pound-feet, the Atlas remained quick and responsive. However, the engine's eagerness sometimes felt busy and frantic, lacking the smooth power delivery of the retired VR6 engine. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and well-timed shifts. Front-wheel drive was standard on the SE and SE w/Tech trims, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. The Atlas handled like a Volkswagen, with tight steering and minimal slack off-center, making it enjoyable to drive on curvy roads. The ride quality improved significantly, even on 21-inch wheels, and the cabin remained quiet until higher speeds. Fuel economy improved, with the EPA rating the Atlas at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 23 mpg with AWD. The Atlas also offered a 5,000-pound tow rating for most trims.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, although the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low-mounted seat cushions. The elevated seating position provided a good view out the front. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim with the Executive package featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. However, these seats took longer to slide and tilt forward for third-row access. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom as needed. The Telluride could accommodate up to eight passengers in non-Hybrid trims with a second-row bench. Cargo capacity was generous, with up to 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 89.3 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride also offered various storage options for smaller personal items.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas continued to be one of the roomiest SUVs in its class. The front seats were firm and supportive, with memory and thigh support for the driver in R-Line trims. The SEL Premium R-Line added massage functions for both front occupants. The second row provided ample legroom, even for taller adults, and featured rear climate controls and new B-pillar vents. Heated and ventilated outboard seats were available in R-Line trims. The third row offered genuine adult-friendly space, with 34.1 inches of legroom. The Atlas could seat six or seven passengers, depending on the configuration. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 21.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Standard features included a hands-free power liftgate, second-row sunshades, and dual cargo-area lights.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came equipped with 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, although there were occasional delays and the screen required a firm tap to register inputs. Physical temperature control buttons were available, and the system required minimal adjustments once set. The Telluride offered customization options for the infotainment screen, including themes from various brand collaborations. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system was available in higher trims, delivering powerful and clear sound quality.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas featured a 15-inch touchscreen in most trims, with a 12.9-inch unit in the base SE. The screens were sharp and responsive, but many tasks required multiple taps. The climate and volume sliders were backlit, addressing a previous complaint, but still lacked haptic feedback. The Driver Experience Dial offered a real volume knob and cycled through drive modes and ambient lighting settings. Device charging was generous, with two Qi2 wireless pads and seven USB-C ports. A nine-speaker stereo was standard, with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system in the SEL Premium R-Line. Some features required a subscription, including Premium Navigation and a ChatGPT-powered voice assistant.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking proximity sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors/reminders. Higher trims offered additional features such as a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor occasionally triggered false alerts at night, and the blind-spot cameras were considered distracting.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. The previous model received high safety ratings, but these did not carry over to the new vehicle. The Atlas came standard with VW’s IQ.Drive suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Emergency Assist Plus was a new feature designed to stop the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The Atlas also included a new front center airbag, front and rear parking sensors, auto hold, and safe-exit assist.