Rumors have been circulating about potential hybrid options for the Kia Telluride — especially with rising gas prices and a growing focus on green living on everyone's minds. With increasing demand for three-row SUVs that offer roominess and excellent fuel economy, a hybrid Telluride makes sense. But does a 2025 Telluride hybrid actually exist? Read on as our team at Huffines Kia Corinth in Texas answers this question and explores what we can expect from future Telluride models.
Current Kia Telluride Hybrid Availability: The 2025 Reality Check
Let's not beat around the bush — the 2025 Kia Telluride doesn't come in a hybrid version. Every 2025 trim runs solely on gas with the same tried-and-true engine setup that families have come to trust. Under the hood sits a 3.8-liter V-6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It's earned a solid reputation for reliability and smooth performance, making it suitable for weekend adventures and daily school runs.
So, why no hybrid yet? Kia's been investing money into electric technologies across its lineup, but bigger SUVs, such as the Telluride, face unique challenges that have slowed down the hybrid rollout. Putting electric motors and batteries into three-row SUVs isn't as simple. These hybrid components take up space, which is something families that haul kids, sports gear, and camping equipment won't compromise on.
Kia's Official Hybrid Plans for the Telluride
However, Telluride fans have reason to smile — Kia has confirmed a Telluride hybrid for the 2027 model year. It will likely share a platform and powertrains with the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, which should feature a 329-horsepower gas-electric setup.
This development aligns with Kia's Plan S strategy, which targets global sales of 1.26 million electric vehicles (EVs) and 1.07 million hybrids by 2030. To help Kia reach this goal, it plans to launch 15 new EVs and 10 hybrid models in the coming years. The launch of the Telluride hybrid in the U.S. will bring Kia one step closer to this target.
How the Telluride Hybrid Will Compare To Competitors
The upcoming Telluride hybrid will face stiff competition from the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Honda Pilot. However, the Telluride hybrid will remain competitive by offering more cabin room and upscale touches. Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is among the best in the business, giving families peace of mind that competitors can't match.
Current Telluride Engine Options and Fuel Economy
A closer look at the current 2025 Telluride helps us imagine what the hybrid might offer. The current 3.8-liter V-6 engine delivers 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, providing plenty of power for confident highway maneuvers. It manages decent gas mileage, but current fuel-economy figures show why a hybrid makes so much sense.
Front-wheel-drive models manage 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, while all-wheel drive drops this to 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. These figures aren't alarming for a large SUV, but are nothing to write about. A hybrid system could boost these numbers by 40% to 50%, which could be a game-changer for family budgets and carbon footprints.
What To Expect from the Telluride Hybrid Interior and Features
The new hybrid should keep the roomy, well-crafted 2025 Telluride interior that families love. The 2025 model features a fully digital instrument cluster and an optional head-up display that projects key information onto your windshield. These tech features will likely carry over to the hybrid, possibly with added screens showing hybrid system operation.
Smart engineering should hopefully maintain the Telluride's expansive interior space. The current model offers 21 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both back rows folded down.
Pricing Predictions for the Telluride Hybrid
To guess what a hybrid Telluride might cost, we must look at current prices and typical hybrid upcharges. The 2025 Telluride starts at $36,390 for the base LX and climbs to $53,685 for a fully loaded SX Prestige X-Pro. The hybrid versions will likely fit into this price structure with modest price increases that reflect the added tech and better fuel economy. Across the industry, hybrids typically cost $2,000 to $3,000 more than their gas counterparts.
Experience the Best of Both Worlds at Huffines Kia Corinth
While waiting for the Telluride hybrid's arrival, Kia still offers plenty of solid options. The 2025 Telluride remains a wise choice if you need three-row space — it holds its value well and has many features that families love. For greener options, consider the Niro Hybrid, Sorento Hybrid, or Sportage Hybrid.
Our Huffines Kia Corinth team can help you find the vehicle that best suits your family. Contact us to schedule a test drive today.