Kia Built Two Three-Row SUVs, and Your Family Only Needs One Family SUV shopping gets tricky when one brand builds two great three-row models. Kia parks the Sorento and the Telluride on the same showroom floor, and plenty of Muncie families arrive unsure which one fits their garage. Both seats for the whole crew. Both carry Kia's 10-year powertrain limited warranty. The choice comes down to size, power, and price. The 2026 Kia Sorento runs from $32,390 to $47,790 across eight gas trims, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions sold separately. Kia skipped a 2026 Telluride and launched the redesigned SUV as a 2027 model priced from $39,190 to $56,790. A gas Telluride is nearly 10 inches longer than the Sorento and holds 22.3 cubic feet behind row three, next to the Sorento's 12.6. One Brand, Two Model Years One quirk needs a mention first. Kia sells the Sorento as a 2026 model. There was never a 2026 Telluride. The first generation ended after 2025, and the redesigned second generation arrived in 2027. This matchup pairs the 2026 Sorento with the 2027 Telluride, using numbers straight from Kia's official specs. Kia Sorento vs. Telluride on Size and Seating Size separates these two right away. Anyone weighing the Kia Sorento vs. Telluride question should start with a tape measure. Kia's Sorento stretches 189.6 inches on a 110.8-inch wheelbase and seats six or seven, based on trim. Row three works best for kids and short trips. Telluride measures 199.2 inches on a 116.9-inch wheelbase and seats up to eight, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. Riders in row three get 32.1 inches of legroom, enough for actual adults. Cargo tells a similar story. With every seat up, the Sorento holds 12.6 cubic feet, and the gas-powered Telluride holds 22.3 cubic feet. Fold the third row, and the Sorento gives you 38.5 to 45.0 cubic feet, against 48.7 in the Telluride. Drop all the rear seats, and the totals reach 75.5 and 89.3 cubic feet. Power and Fuel Economy Tradeoffs Engines split along trim lines. The Sorento LX and S trims carry a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. EX and higher trims get a 281-horsepower turbo with 311 lb-ft of torque. Every gas Telluride runs a 274-horsepower version of that turbo with the same 311 lb-ft and an 8-speed automatic. Lighter weight pays off at the pump. A base Sorento earns EPA estimates of 23 city and 31 highway mpg with front-wheel drive. Gas Telluride models check in at 20 city and 26 highway with FWD. Kia rates the Sorento Hybrid EX FWD at 37 mpg combined, good for 655 miles of range. The new Telluride Turbo Hybrid makes 329 horsepower and earns 35 mpg combined on the EX FWD trim. Both are EPA estimates. Towing favors the bigger SUV. A properly equipped gas Telluride pulls up to 5,000 pounds. Sorento ratings run from 2,000 pounds with the base engine to 4,500 on the X-Pro SX Prestige. 2026 Sorento and 2027 Telluride Trim Comparison Trim Engine and Horsepower Drivetrain Starting MSRP 2026 Kia Sorento (gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid) LX 2.5L 4-cylinder, 191 hp FWD $32,390 S 2.5L 4-cylinder, 191 hp FWD or AWD $35,290 EX 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp FWD or AWD $38,490 SX 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp FWD $42,290 X-Line EX 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp AWD $42,790 X-Line SX 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp AWD $44,090 X-Line SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp AWD $46,790 X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp AWD $47,790 Hybrid EX Turbo Hybrid, 227 hp combined FWD or AWD From $38,890 Plug-In Hybrid EX Turbo Plug-In Hybrid, 261 hp combined AWD From $48,290 2027 Kia Telluride (gas and turbo hybrid) LX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp FWD $39,190 S 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp FWD or AWD $42,090 FWD / $44,090 AWD EX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp FWD or AWD $43,790 FWD / $45,790 AWD X-Line EX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $47,290 SX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp FWD $48,790 X-Line SX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $51,790 X-Pro SX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $53,690 SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $53,890 X-Line SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $54,890 X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $56,790 Turbo Hybrid EX 2.5L Turbo Hybrid, 329 hp combined FWD $46,490 Turbo Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo Hybrid, 329 hp combined AWD $57,590 MSRPs exclude destination, taxes, and fees. Telluride Turbo Hybrid pricing covers select trims for now; ask your dealer about the rest. Where Each One Wins Price gaps stay steady up the ladder. A Sorento EX with the turbo engine costs $38,490, about $5,300 less than a Telluride EX with front-wheel drive. Up top, a loaded X-Pro SX Prestige Sorento runs $47,790, compared to $56,790 for the same Telluride trim. That difference covers a lot of gas, soccer cleats, and summer camp fees. Fresh off a full redesign, the 2027 Telluride debuts dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays and an AI voice assistant. Buyers can add a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, and ten airbags come standard, including a new front-center bag. Over in the Sorento, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on a 12.3-inch touchscreen, plus available Highway Driving Assist. It also earned a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award on models built after September 2025. Picking the Right Fit for Your Driveway Go with the Sorento when the third row sees part-time duty, and your budget does the talking. It parks easier, sips less fuel, and its available 281-horsepower turbo actually out-muscles the bigger SUV. Pick the Telluride when you haul teenagers, grandparents, or a full carpool every week and need real cargo room behind row three. Test both back to back, and the answer usually shows up fast. Why Buy Your Next Three-Row SUV From Kia of Muncie Deciding between these two gets easier when you can walk from one to the other on the same lot. We keep both the Sorento and the Telluride in stock at Kia of Muncie. You can climb into each third row, fold the seats flat, and take back-to-back test drives in one visit. Our team skips the pressure and the gimmicks. We'd rather answer questions honestly and let the vehicles speak for themselves. Our finance team works with multiple lenders to match your budget, and you can start a pre-approval online before you stop by. Come see us and find out which three-row Kia your family votes for.

Two Three-Row SUVs Family Shoppers Keep Comparing Shopping for a three-row SUV in Muncie means running into two names over and over. Kia's biggest SUV and Honda's family staple both promise room for the whole crew. You get strong safety scores and enough cargo space for weekend hauls. Picking between them comes down to what your family actually needs day to day. Kia skipped the 2026 Telluride and jumped straight to a redesigned 2027 model with its first-ever hybrid option. Honda's 2026 Pilot keeps a proven V6 and adds bigger standard screens plus a power tailgate on every trim. Both SUVs seat up to eight, tow up to 5,000 pounds, and start under $43,000 before options. Sorting Out the 2026 Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot Search If you've been searching for the 2026 Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot, here's what's going on. Kia skipped the 2026 model year for its largest SUV. It ended the first-generation run after 2025, then rolled out a redesigned second-generation Telluride badged as a 2027. Those new SUVs started landing in showrooms in early 2026. So when you line up the current Telluride against the 2026 Pilot, you're really looking at Kia's newest 2027 redesign. Those are the numbers we'll use here. What's Under the Hood The redesigned Telluride drops the old V6 for a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, making 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That's a healthy jump in torque, which pays off when you're loaded up with kids and gear. Kia also added a turbo-hybrid good for 329 combined horsepower. It can reach an EPA-estimated 34 mpg city and 36 highway on the front-drive EX. That's the first hybrid ever offered on a Telluride. Over at Honda, things stay familiar. The 2026 Pilot runs a 3.5-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft, paired to a 10-speed automatic. That V6 is proven and easy to live with, though it can't match the Telluride hybrid at the pump. Front-drive Pilots land at 19 mpg city and 27 highway. Both SUVs offer all-wheel drive and can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Space for People and Gear Families care about the third row and the trunk, and this is where small differences add up. Kia's Telluride gives you 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 48.7 behind the second. A big grocery run or a folded stroller fits without dropping any seats. Its X-Pro trim bumps ground clearance to 9.1 inches for gravel roads and light trails. Honda counters with flat-folding seats and a handy trick. Its Pilot TrailSport swallows up to 113.7 cubic feet with everything folded. A removable second-row center seat on higher trims makes loading long items simple. Behind the third row, you get 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space as standard. Both seat up to eight, though the Pilot TrailSport and select Telluride trims switch to captain's chairs for seven. Tech and Safety Standard Gear For 2026, Honda loaded the Pilot with standard tech. Every Pilot now ships with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster. You also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a power tailgate. Honda Sensing safety tools come standard across the lineup. That list covers automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping. Kia answers with available dual 12.3-inch panoramic screens and wireless phone mirroring on every trim. You also get driver aids like Highway Driving Assist 2 and a surround-view camera. One area Kia clearly pulls ahead is its warranty. Kia's Telluride comes with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty. Honda backs the Pilot with a 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 3-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty. 2027 Telluride and 2026 Pilot Side by Side Category 2027 Kia Telluride 2026 Honda Pilot Trim Ladder and Starting MSRP Trims and MSRP (excludes destination) LX FWD $39,190 S FWD $42,090 EX FWD $43,790 X-Line EX AWD $47,290 SX FWD $48,790 X-Line SX AWD $51,790 X-Pro SX AWD $53,690 SX Prestige AWD $53,890 X-Pro SX Prestige AWD $56,790 Hybrid EX FWD $46,490 Sport FWD $42,395 EX-L FWD $44,695 TrailSport AWD $50,595 Touring AWD $51,295 Touring Blackout AWD $52,495 Elite AWD $53,695 Black Edition AWD $55,195 Powertrain and Fuel Economy Base Engine 2.5L Turbo I4 3.5L V6 Horsepower 274 hp 285 hp Torque 311 lb-ft 262 lb-ft Hybrid Option Yes, 329 hp combined No Transmission 8-speed auto (turbo) 6-speed auto (hybrid) 10-speed auto Fuel Economy (FWD, base) 20 city / 26 hwy / 22 combined 19 city / 27 hwy / 22 combined Hybrid Fuel Economy (EX FWD) 34 city / 36 hwy / 35 combined Not offered Max Towing (properly equipped) 5,000 lbs (turbo) 5,000 lbs (AWD) Space and Capability Seating Up to 8 (7 with captain's chairs) Up to 8 (7 on TrailSport) Cargo Behind 3rd Row 22.3 cu ft 18.6 cu ft Cargo Behind 2nd Row 48.7 cu ft 48.5 cu ft Max Cargo (behind 1st row) 89.3 cu ft Up to 113.7 cu ft (TrailSport) Off-Road Ground Clearance 9.1 in (X-Pro) 8.3 in (TrailSport) Tech and Warranty Center Touchscreen Available dual 12.3-in panoramic 12.3-in standard Wireless CarPlay / Android Auto Standard all trims Standard all trims Basic Warranty 5 yr / 60,000 mi 3 yr / 36,000 mi Powertrain Warranty 10 yr / 100,000 mi 5 yr / 60,000 mi Where Each SUV Pulls Ahead Go with the Telluride if you want the newest design, the choice of a hybrid, and the longer warranty. It reads a little more upscale inside and opens up more room behind that third row. Pick the Pilot if you trust Honda's V6 track record. Maybe you like the removable second-row seat, or want the TrailSport's cargo room for road trips. Both are strong family haulers, so the smart move is to sit in each one and see which cabin fits your crew best. Why Buy Your Next Telluride at Kia of Muncie If the redesigned Telluride caught your eye, we'd love to help you see it in person. At Kia of Muncie, we let the vehicles speak for themselves. You can climb into the new Telluride, fold the seats, and check the third row with no pressure or hard-sell tactics. We're a fourth-generation, family-owned store, and cross-shoppers are always welcome, even if you're still weighing a Pilot against a Telluride. Our team can walk you through trims, hybrid vs. turbo, and financing options that fit your budget. Every Kia we sell also comes with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Our free lifetime service perks come on top of that. Stop by, take a test drive, and see which three-row SUV feels right for your family.

Three Kia Small SUVs, Three Very Different Personalities Kia builds three small SUVs right now, and each one targets a different kind of buyer. The 2026 Niro Hybrid, 2026 Seltos, and 2026 Sportage all sit on the compact end of the lineup, but they split apart quickly when you start comparing engines, cargo space, fuel economy, and price. Whether you're chasing 53 MPG or need room for a weekend camping haul, there's a Kia small SUV that fits. This breakdown covers what separates them. Pricing starts at $23,790 with the Seltos LX and stretches past $38,000 for a fully loaded Sportage X-Pro Prestige. Only the Seltos and Sportage offer an available all-wheel drive, while the Niro Hybrid stays front-wheel drive across every trim. Fuel economy ranges from 25 MPG combined on a turbo Seltos SX with AWD to an EPA-estimated 53 MPG combined on the Niro Hybrid. 2026 Kia Niro Hybrid If saving money at the pump tops your list, the Niro Hybrid is hard to beat. It pairs a 1.6L four-cylinder engine with a 32-kW electric motor for a combined 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, routed through a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic. EPA estimates come in at 53 city / 54 highway / 53 combined for the LX, EX, and SX trims. The SX Touring, with its 18-inch wheels, dips slightly to 53/45/49. Total driving range on a single tank can reach 588 miles. The lineup spans four trims, starting at $27,390 for the LX. Behind the rear seats, you'll find 22.8 cubic feet of cargo room, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet with the back row folded flat. Front-wheel drive is the only drivetrain option, so if you need AWD for snowy Indiana roads, you'll want to look at one of the other two models. Standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and a heated windshield. Moving to the EX adds heated front seats, a 10.25-inch display with navigation, and a wireless phone charger. 2026 Kia Seltos Starting at $23,790, the Seltos is actually the most affordable of the three and the only one that offers both a turbo engine and available AWD. The trim ladder runs LX, S, EX, and SX, topping out at $31,490. Under the hood, a 2.0L four-cylinder with 147 hp and an Intelligent Variable Transmission handles base-trim duty. Pick the SX, and you get a turbocharged 1.6L making 190 hp and 195 lb-ft paired with an 8-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. Fuel economy on the base engine with FWD hits 28/34/31, while the turbo AWD setup returns 24/27/25. You're looking at 26.6 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats and 62.8 with the rear seats down. The EX trim at $26,490 is a smart pick, since it adds dual 10.25-inch panoramic displays, heated front seats, a power driver's seat, and a wireless charger for just $1,000 more than the S. 2026 Kia Sportage When you need more room and towing ability, the Sportage is where Kia's small SUV lineup starts to feel mid-size. Starting at $28,790 for the LX, six trims climb past $38,000, and power comes from a 2.5L four-cylinder making 187 hp and 178 lb-ft, paired with an 8-speed automatic. AWD is available on most trims. Inside, the size difference is obvious. You get 39.6 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row and 74.1 with the seats folded, a big leap over both the Niro and Seltos. Towing capacity reaches 2,500 pounds, dual 12.3-inch displays come standard, and the Sportage earned the 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating. Buyers who want better fuel economy can opt for the Sportage Hybrid starting at $30,490, which gets up to 42 MPG combined. Kia Small SUV Comparison Chart Spec 2026 Niro Hybrid 2026 Seltos 2026 Sportage Starting MSRP $27,390 $23,790 $28,790 Trims LX, EX, SX, SX Touring LX, S, EX, SX LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro Prestige Powertrain 1.6L Hybrid (139 hp) 2.0L (147 hp) or 1.6L Turbo (190 hp) 2.5L (187 hp) Transmission 6-Spd Dual-Clutch Auto IVT or 8-Spd Auto (SX) 8-Speed Auto Drivetrain FWD only FWD or AWD FWD or AWD Best MPG (combined) 53 (LX/EX/SX, FWD) 31 (2.0L, FWD) 29 (LX, FWD) Total Range Up to 588 miles ~409 miles (FWD, 2.0L) Varies by config. Cargo (behind rear seats) 22.8 cu ft 26.6 cu ft 39.6 cu ft Max Cargo (seats folded) 63.7 cu ft 62.8 cu ft 74.1 cu ft Towing Capacity Not rated Not rated Up to 2,500 lbs Standard Display 8.0-in. (10.25-in. avail.) 8.0-in. (dual 10.25-in. avail.) Dual 12.3-in. standard Seating 5 5 5 Matching the Right Model to Your Drive Long-distance commuters and fuel-conscious buyers should take a hard look at the Niro Hybrid. At 53 MPG combined with a 588-mile range per tank, it's built to stretch every gallon. The tradeoff is less cargo room and no AWD, so it's best suited for paved roads and daily highway runs rather than hauling camping gear through a snowstorm. The Seltos hits a solid middle ground. Available AWD handles winter weather in Central Indiana, and the SX's turbo engine adds real passing power on the highway. At $26,490, the EX trim packs in dual panoramic displays, heated front seats, and wireless charging, making it a strong pick for buyers who want features without paying Sportage prices. Go with the Sportage if you regularly carry large loads or need the option to tow. Nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row, standard dual 12.3-inch displays, and available Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid powertrains round out the most well-equipped model in the group. Test Drive All Three at Kia of Muncie We carry the Niro Hybrid, Seltos, and Sportage right here at Kia of Muncie, and our team can walk you through each one side by side. Driving all three back-to-back is the best way to feel the differences in ride quality, cabin space, and powertrain response for yourself. Our finance team works with multiple lenders to find rates and terms that fit your budget, and we keep the process simple from start to finish. Stop by our showroom or reach out online to set up a visit. Watch This Video