Chevy Traverse vs Kia Telluride: 2027 Traverse vs 2027 Telluride Compared
Last updated: October 18, 2026 | Emich Chevrolet, Lakewood | Specs from each manufacturer
The Chevy Traverse and the redesigned Kia Telluride are three-row family SUVs that both tow 5,000 lbs with their gas engines, but they win in different areas. Here is the 2027 Traverse against the second-generation 2027 Telluride, using each manufacturer’s published specs.
Quick Verdict
The 2027 Traverse has more cargo space (98 vs 89.3 cu ft maximum), more power than the gas Telluride (328 vs 274 hp), a 17.7-inch touchscreen and available Super Cruise hands-free driving, which Kia does not offer. The 2027 Telluride starts $1,910 lower ($39,190 vs $41,100), offers a 329-hp hybrid rated up to 35 mpg combined, more second-row legroom in gas models, more ground clearance and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Both have 32.1 inches of third-row legroom.
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New 2027 Traverse LT and Z71 models on our Lakewood lot, with real-time pricing.
The Matchup: Space and Tech vs a New Hybrid Telluride
Kia redesigned the Telluride for 2027, and the second-generation model was on sale by March 2026, along with the first Telluride hybrid. The 2027 Traverse is on sale now.
Gas Tellurides use a 274-hp 2.5L turbo four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic, and the Telluride Hybrid makes 329 hp and 339 lb-ft combined. The Traverse uses a 328-hp 2.5L turbo with an 8-speed automatic. AWD costs $2,000 on both where it is optional.
The Traverse is 5.2 inches longer (204.4 vs 199.2 in.) and holds more: 22.9 vs 22.3 cu ft behind the third row, 56.6 vs 48.7 behind the second and 98 vs 89.3 maximum. Kia’s figures include an underfloor storage area on gas models. Third-row legroom is identical at 32.1 inches, and the Telluride has more second-row legroom (43.0 vs 41.5 in.).
Traverse vs Telluride Specs
| Spec | 2027 Chevy Traverse | 2027 Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (excl. destination) | $41,100 (LT FWD); $1,995 destination | $39,190 (LX FWD); $44,090 with AWD (S); hybrid $46,490; $1,545 destination |
| Lowest AWD price | $43,100 (LT AWD) | $44,090 (S AWD) |
| Gas engine | 2.5L turbo 4-cyl (328 hp / 326 lb-ft) | 2.5L turbo 4-cyl (274 hp / 311 lb-ft) |
| Hybrid | Not offered | 2.5L turbo hybrid (329 hp / 339 lb-ft) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic (gas); 6-speed automatic (hybrid) |
| AWD | +$2,000 on LT, RS and High Country; Z71 AWD only | +$2,000 on S, EX and hybrid EX; standard on X-Line, X-Pro and SX Prestige; LX and SX FWD only |
| Best EPA combined | 22 mpg (FWD) | 22 mpg (gas FWD); 35 mpg (hybrid EX FWD) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs (gas); 4,500 lbs (hybrid) |
| Seating | 7 standard; 8 available (LT) | 8 (gas LX and EX); 7 on other trims and all hybrids |
| 2nd-row legroom | 41.5 in. | 43.0 in. (gas) |
| 3rd-row legroom | 32.1 in. | 32.1 in. |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | 22.9 cu ft | 22.3 cu ft (includes underfloor storage) |
| Cargo behind 2nd row | 56.6 cu ft | 48.7 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 98 cu ft (97.6 in Build & Price) | 89.3 cu ft |
| Length | 204.4 in. | 199.2 in. |
| Ground clearance | 6.77 in. (Z71 7.76 in.) | 7.4 in. (X-Pro 9.1 in.) |
| Center screen | 17.7 in. | 12.3 in. |
| Hands-free driving | Super Cruise (standard on RS and High Country; available on LT and Z71) | Not offered (Highway Driving Assist is hands-on) |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | 5 yr/60,000 mi; 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain (original purchaser) |
Sources: chevrolet.com and Build & Price (2027 Traverse); kia.com 2027 Telluride and Telluride Hybrid specifications and Kia media price sheets; fueleconomy.gov. Bold marks the better figure. Chevrolet calls the Traverse’s 98 cu ft best in class, based on its latest available competitive data.
By the Numbers
Max cargo (behind 1st row)
Horsepower (gas engines)
Best combined fuel economy
Off-Road Trims: Z71 vs X-Pro
The Telluride X-Pro (from $53,690) has AWD with an electronic limited-slip differential and a center lock that holds a 50/50 torque split, an off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, recovery hooks, a standard hitch and 9.1 inches of ground clearance. The Traverse Z71 ($49,400) costs $4,290 less and has twin-clutch AWD, Hill Descent Control, an off-road suspension, a skid plate, all-terrain tires and 7.76 inches of clearance.
Reasons to Choose Each
Choose the Chevy Traverse if you want
- More cargo space
- More power than the gas Telluride
- A 17.7-inch touchscreen with Google built-in
- Super Cruise, including hands-free trailering
- A lower price once you add AWD
Choose the Kia Telluride if you want
- A lower starting price with FWD
- A hybrid rated up to 35 mpg combined
- More second-row legroom (gas models)
- More ground clearance and the X-Pro
- A 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
Interior and Technology
Every Traverse has a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch driver display with Google built-in (service plan required) and the available Google Gemini assistant, and Super Cruise is standard on the RS and High Country. Every Telluride has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 4.2-inch or 12.3-inch cluster and a head-up display on SX Prestige trims.
Kia’s Highway Driving Assist is standard, and Highway Driving Assist 2 is on the SX and above, but Kia does not describe either as hands-free. IIHS named the 2027 Telluride (built after June 2026) a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+, and NHTSA has not rated it yet. NHTSA gave the 2026 Traverse five stars overall and has not yet rated the 2027 Traverse.
The Bottom Line
If you want a hybrid, more second-row space (gas models) or Kia’s long warranty, the Telluride is a strong choice. The Traverse gives you more cargo room, more power than the gas Telluride, a bigger screen and Super Cruise hands-free driving, with a lower price once you add AWD.
More Comparisons
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Traverse vs Telluride FAQs
Which is cheaper, the Traverse or the Telluride?
With FWD, the 2027 Telluride LX starts lower ($39,190 vs $41,100 for the Traverse LT). With AWD, the Traverse LT starts lower ($43,100 vs $44,090 for the Telluride S). Destination is $1,995 for Chevrolet and $1,545 for Kia.
Which has more cargo space?
The Traverse: 22.9 vs 22.3 cu ft behind the third row, 56.6 vs 48.7 behind the second and 98 vs 89.3 maximum.
Is there a Telluride hybrid?
Yes. The 2027 Telluride Hybrid makes 329 hp, is EPA-rated up to 35 mpg combined (EX FWD) and tows 4,500 lbs. It starts at $46,490. The Traverse is offered only with its 328-hp turbo four-cylinder.
Does the Telluride have hands-free driving?
No. Kia’s Highway Driving Assist systems are hands-on. The Traverse offers Super Cruise hands-free driving on compatible roads, standard on the RS and High Country.
Sources: chevrolet.com 2027 Traverse page, chevrolet.com Build & Price, GM News, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA for Chevrolet; each competitor’s official website, specifications, price sheets and press materials, fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA and IIHS for the rival, reviewed October 18, 2026. MSRP excludes destination, tax, title, license, dealer fees and options; destination charges differ by brand. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment and are for comparison only; review the owner’s manual before towing. EPA estimates; actual mileage will vary. Super Cruise and other hands-free systems require an active plan or trial and work only on compatible roads; always pay attention to the road. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Emich Chevrolet sells new Chevrolet vehicles. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Read the vehicle Owner’s Manual for important feature limitations and information.