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.

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

Picking the Right Family Hauler for 2026 Minivan shopping comes down to a short list these days. Two names keep rising to the top. The Kia Carnival looks like an SUV but hauls like a van. Toyota's Sienna goes all-in on hybrid gas savings. Both seat up to eight, both slide their doors open at the touch of a button, and both want a spot in your garage. The Carnival starts lower and offers a strong V6, while the Sienna runs hybrid-only with much better fuel economy. Toyota offers all-wheel drive across the Sienna lineup, but the front-drive-only Carnival counters with more cargo room and a roomier cabin. Your daily mileage and your budget will point you toward one of these two pretty quickly. Let's get into what separates them. The 2026 Kia Carnival vs. Toyota Sienna question really comes down to how you drive and what you value most. What's Under the Hood This is where the two vans split right away. The Carnival's standard engine is a 3.5-liter V6. It makes 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. Kia also offers a 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid on several trims. Kia rates it at around 242 horsepower combined, though official EPA numbers for the hybrid aren't out for 2026 yet. The Sienna takes a different path. Every one runs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid making 245 horsepower combined. There's no gas-only option. You get a continuously variable transmission and your choice of front- or all-wheel drive. So the Carnival V6 wins on raw power and a more traditional driving feel. The Sienna trades some of that punch for a quieter, smoother hybrid ride around town. Fuel Economy That Actually Matters This might be the number that settles it for you. The Sienna's hybrid earns an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 35 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. Those figures barely move, whether you're in city traffic or on the highway. The Carnival V6 comes in at 18 mpg city and 25 to 26 mpg highway. That lands around 21 mpg combined. It's a big gap. Over a year of school runs and road trips, the Sienna can save you real gas money. The Carnival hybrid closes that gap, but Toyota still has the edge on proven, published numbers. Room for People and Their Stuff Both vans seat seven or eight, depending on trim. Both have sliding doors on both sides. On cargo, the Carnival pulls ahead. Behind the third row, you get 40.2 cubic feet. Fold everything down, and you open up a huge 145.1 cubic feet. By comparison, the Sienna offers 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 101 cubic feet. That said, the Sienna has a trick the Carnival can't match. Its second-row captain's chairs slide back with available ottomans for serious legroom, almost like a recliner. Kia answers with available VIP Lounge Seats on the top SX Prestige trim that heat, ventilate, and recline. Both cabins feel roomy, so your passengers won't complain in either one. Tech, Safety, and Daily Comfort You'll find a 12.3-inch touchscreen available in both vans, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built in. Kia loads the Carnival with its full driver-assist suite. That covers forward collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and highway driving assist. Toyota counters with Safety Sense 2.0 and a blind spot monitor standard on every Sienna. One area where the gap shows up is warranty. Kia backs the Carnival with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Toyota covers the Sienna's powertrain for 5 years/60,000 miles. Toyota does throw in two years of free maintenance, which Kia doesn't match here. 2026 Kia Carnival vs. Toyota Sienna by the Numbers Feature 2026 Kia Carnival 2026 Toyota Sienna Starting MSRP $37,390 (LX) $40,820 (LE) Top Trim MSRP $51,490 (SX Prestige) $58,210 (Platinum) Standard Engine 3.5L V6, 287 hp 2.5L Hybrid, 245 hp Hybrid Option 1.6L Turbo Hybrid (~242 hp) Hybrid standard on all trims Drivetrain FWD only FWD or AWD Fuel Economy (Combined) 21 mpg (V6) 36 mpg (FWD) / 35 mpg (AWD) Max Cargo Volume 145.1 cu ft 101.0 cu ft Max Towing 3,500 lb 3,500 lb Seating 7 or 8 7 or 8 Powertrain Warranty 10 yr / 100,000 mi 5 yr / 60,000 mi Trim Level Comparison (priced by tier) Entry Trim LX: $37,390. 3.5L V6, 12.3-inch touchscreen, hands-free sliding doors, full safety suite. LE: $40,820. 2.5L hybrid, 8-inch touchscreen, 8-speaker audio, Safety Sense 2.0. Step-Up Trim LXS: $39,390. Adds power driver's seat, heated front seats, hybrid available. XLE: $45,520. Adds 12.3-inch touchscreen, four-zone temperature control, moonroof available. Mid Trim EX: $41,590. Adds 19-inch wheels, wireless charger, power tailgate, cabin camera. XSE: $48,745. Adds sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch wheels (FWD), JBL audio. Upper Trim SX: $46,490. Adds dual sunroof, dual 12.3-inch displays, ventilated front seats, HDA 2. Limited: $51,505. Adds leather, heated and ventilated front seats, digital cluster. Rugged / Adventure Trim Not offered Woodland Edition: $51,600. Standard AWD, added ground clearance, 1500W outlet, tow hitch. Top Trim SX Prestige: $51,490. Adds VIP Lounge Seats, Bose audio, heads-up display, heated wheel. Platinum: $58,210. Standard AWD, head-up display, FridgeBox, panoramic view monitor. The two lineups don't line up trim for trim, so the pairings above group them by price and position. SX and SX Prestige pricing is based on third-party listings, since Kia's media site hadn't posted those figures at the time of writing. Worth checking with us for the latest. Which Van Fits Your Driveway If you rack up miles and want the lowest fuel bills, the Sienna's hybrid setup and available all-wheel drive make a strong case. That's true if you deal with snow or rain. If you want more power, more cargo space, a lower starting price, and a longer powertrain warranty, the Carnival is hard to beat. Families who tow a small trailer or load up for big trips will love that extra room behind the seats. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either one. The right pick depends on whether gas savings or space and value sit higher on your list. The best way to settle it is to sit in both and take them down the road. Why Buy Your Next Minivan at Kia of Muncie We'd love to help you see the 2026 Carnival up close. At Kia of Muncie, we let our vehicles speak for themselves. You can climb in, fold down the seats, and check out those available VIP Lounge Seats with no pressure and no hard-sell tactics. Our team knows the Carnival inside and out. We're happy to walk you through trim differences, the hybrid option, and how it stacks up against other vans on your list. As a family-owned dealership, we treat every customer like one of our own. Stop by, take a test drive, and let us help you find the family hauler that fits your life. Come experience the Kia of Muncie difference today.