Top Features In A Kia Midsize SUV

Photo Source/Copyright: Kia

Choosing a Kia midsize SUV means picking among three nameplates. Are all three midsize models built on the same foundation? Not at all; Kia actually assembles each around a different kind of household. One offers three-row flexibility while still parking easily. One is the full-size family hauler with towing capability and room for eight. One skips gasoline entirely. The choice comes down to how often you actually fill every seat, what you tow, and whether you can charge at home.

What Defines a Kia Midsize SUV?

The Kia midsize class is defined by three-row capability and a full range of powertrain choices, not by a single body style.

Every Kia midsize SUV in the lineup offers three rows, but it’s the powertrains that set them apart. Kia’s own segmentation places its largest three-row entry in the midsize class, and the smaller three-row crossover sits just below it. Between them, you can specify gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric power. The Sorento, Telluride, and EV9 cover all four.

Sorento: Three-Row Flexibility in a Manageable Footprint

• Starting MSRP: $32,390 (excluding destination fee)
• Seating: Three rows, with available second-row captain’s chairs
• Powertrain paths: Gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid

The Sorento is the entry point, and it still gives you a third row. The available turbocharged engine produces 281 horsepower, Terrain Mode is standard on all-wheel-drive trims, and available second-row captain’s chairs make third-row access easier.

Fuel-efficiency shoppers should consider the Sorento Hybrid, rated at 227 horsepower and EPA-estimated 36 miles per gallon (MPG) highway, with up to 655 miles of total range on select trims. It starts at $38,890 MSRP (excluding destination fee). A plug-in hybrid version is also available for households with home charging.

Telluride: Maximum Passenger Space and Towing Confidence

• Starting MSRP: $39,190 (excluding destination fee)
• Seating: Three rows, up to eight passengers
• Powertrain paths: Standard turbocharged gas; available turbo-hybrid

The Telluride is built for regular third-row duty, seating up to eight. A turbocharged engine is standard, along with tri-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, and 19 driver assistance systems. The X-Pro trim adds an electronic limited-slip differential and 9.1 inches of ground clearance.

The Telluride Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter turbo with a 1.65-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery and electric motors for 329 combined horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. It earns an EPA-estimated 35 MPG combined and 637 miles of total estimated range on the EX front-wheel-drive configuration, tows 4,500 pounds standard, and starts at $46,490 MSRP (excluding destination fee).

EV9: Three Rows, Fully Electric

• Starting MSRP: $54,900 (excluding destination fee)
• Seating: Six- or seven-passenger layouts at no cost
• Range: Kia-estimated up to 305 miles on Light Long Range

The EV9 is the fully electric option, with six- or seven-passenger seating offered at no cost. Kia estimates up to 305 miles of range on the Light Long Range trim, and Terrain Mode is available across all-wheel-drive versions. It makes the most sense for households with home charging, starting at $54,900 MSRP (excluding destination fee).

Compare the Lineup at a Glance

Side by side, the differences are easier to see. Use this table to narrow your Kia midsize SUV shortlist before you start comparing trims and available packages.

*Starting MSRP excludes destination fees.

Choosing Between Them

Start with how often you actually use the third row, because that single question separates the Sorento from the Telluride faster than any spec sheet.

From there, work through towing needs, whether a hybrid pencils out for your commute, and whether you can charge overnight. Budget sets the floor, but seating frequency and powertrain fit are what you live with day to day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the Sorento and the Telluride?

A: The Sorento is the smaller of the two, with a lower starting MSRP (excluding destination fee) and three rows sized for occasional use. The Telluride is larger, seats up to eight, and is the towing choice.

Q: Which Kia midsize SUV has a hybrid option?

A: Both do. The Sorento offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, and the Telluride Hybrid is the newest addition, rated at an EPA-estimated 35 MPG combined on the EX front-wheel-drive trim.

Q: How much can a Telluride tow?

A: The Telluride Hybrid carries a standard 4,500-pound towing capacity. Confirm the exact rating for the specific trim and drivetrain you’re considering before you hitch anything up.

Find Your Kia Match

Ready to compare a Kia midsize SUV in person? Visit us to sit in all three rows, compare hybrid and electric options side by side, and schedule a test drive.