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

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.

Tags: 2026 Kia Sorento trims, 2027 Kia Telluride price, family SUV in Muncie, Kia Sorento vs. Telluride, Kia SUV towing ratings, Kia Telluride Turbo Hybrid, three-row SUV comparison
Posted in Muncie Kia Dealer | No Comments »