Quick Answer
- Choose the hybrid if you drive 12,000 miles a year or more, keep vehicles 4+ years, or want the strongest, smoothest acceleration: 329 hp and 339 lb-ft, and up to 35 mpg combined with up to 637 miles of range (EX FWD).
- Choose the gas Telluride if you tow near 5,000 lbs, want the lowest price or the X-Pro off-road trims, need an 8-seat bench, or will trade in within about 3 years at low mileage.
- At today's Denver gas price, an average driver (15,000 miles a year, AWD) saves about $1,104 a year with the hybrid and earns back the $2,700 premium in about 2.4 years.
Gas or hybrid? Run your own numbers
On every trim offered both ways, the 2027 Telluride Hybrid costs $2,700 more than the gas model. Tell us how you drive and we'll estimate how fast the hybrid pays that back in fuel.
Uses EPA combined ratings: gas 22 mpg FWD / 20 mpg AWD, hybrid 35 mpg EX FWD / 31 mpg AWD. Full ratings by trim are in our Telluride MPG guide.
| Trim | Gas MSRP | Hybrid MSRP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EX FWD | $43,790 | $46,490 | $2,700 |
| EX AWD | $45,790 | $48,490 | $2,700 |
| SX FWD | $48,790 | $51,490 | $2,700 |
| X-Line SX AWD | $51,790 | $54,490 | $2,700 |
| SX Prestige AWD | $53,890 | $56,590 | $2,700 |
| X-Line SX Prestige AWD | $54,890 | $57,590 | $2,700 |
MSRPs from Kia as of October 2026, excluding the $1,545 destination charge. The LX, S, X-Line EX and X-Pro trims come only with the gas engine; see Telluride pricing for every trim.
Gas vs. Hybrid: Key Specs
| 2027 Telluride (gas) | 2027 Telluride Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2.5L turbo gas | 2.5L turbo hybrid (engine plus electric motors) |
| Horsepower / torque | 274 hp / 311 lb-ft | 329 hp / 339 lb-ft (combined) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| EPA mpg (city / hwy / combined) | FWD 20 / 26 / 22; AWD 18 / 24 / 20; X-Pro 19 combined | EX FWD 35 combined; SX FWD 33; AWD 30 / 32 / 31 |
| Driving range | About 380 miles AWD, 418 FWD (19-gal tank × EPA combined) | Up to 637 miles (EX FWD); 564 miles AWD |
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs | 4,500 lbs |
| Hitch | $625 Towing Package; standard on X-Pro | $625 Towing Package |
| Trims | LX, S, EX, X-Line EX, SX, X-Line SX, X-Pro SX, SX Prestige, X-Line SX Prestige, X-Pro SX Prestige | EX, SX, X-Line SX, SX Prestige, X-Line SX Prestige |
| Seating | 7 or 8 (LX and EX have an 8-seat bench) | 7 (captain's chairs) |
| Plug in? | No | No, it charges itself |
Kia specifications as of October 2026. EPA estimates; actual mileage and range vary with temperature, speed, load and terrain. Towing requires the Towing Package or X-Pro hitch and proper equipment.
How They Drive
| Driving moment | Gas | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Stoplight launch | Turbo builds boost; strong torque once moving | Electric assist feels more immediate and smooth |
| Highway on-ramp | 311 lb-ft for confident merges | 339 lb-ft combined for quick, low-effort acceleration |
| Passing at speed | 8-speed downshifts for strong pull | Combined output reduces the need to downshift |
| Fully loaded family trip | Strong, predictable, traditional feel | More effortless under load |
| I-70 grades at altitude | Turbo keeps its power up high | Turbo plus electric torque; regenerative braking on descents |
Test-drive both on a highway on-ramp and a short grade; that's where the difference shows up most.
Towing: The Gas Telluride's Edge
The gas Telluride is rated to tow 5,000 lbs and the hybrid 4,500 lbs, both with the $625 Towing Package (the X-Pro has a standard hitch). If you tow a camper or boat close to the limit on mountain roads, the gas model gives you more headroom. Towing also cuts into the hybrid's fuel savings, so frequent towers get less payback from the hybrid.
Planning a camper? See our Telluride towing details and confirm the rating on the exact vehicle you're considering.
Annual Fuel Cost at Denver Gas Prices (AWD)
| Miles a year | Gas AWD fuel / yr | Hybrid AWD fuel / yr | Hybrid saves / yr | Pays back $2,700 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 miles | $2,075 | $1,339 | $736 | 3.7 years |
| 12,000 miles | $2,490 | $1,606 | $884 | 3.1 years |
| 15,000 miles | $3,113 | $2,008 | $1,104 | 2.4 years |
| 20,000 miles | $4,150 | $2,677 | $1,473 | 1.8 years |
| 25,000 miles | $5,188 | $3,347 | $1,841 | 1.5 years |
Denver regular gas averaged $4.15 a gallon the week of October 12, 2026 (U.S. EIA). Uses EPA combined ratings of 20 mpg (gas AWD) and 31 mpg (hybrid AWD). Estimates only; your costs depend on fuel prices, driving and weather.
5-Year Cost: EX AWD Gas vs. EX AWD Hybrid
| Miles a year | Gas: MSRP + 5 yrs fuel | Hybrid: MSRP + 5 yrs fuel | Lower 5-year cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | $45,790 + $10,375 = $56,165 | $48,490 + $6,694 = $55,184 | Hybrid by $981 |
| 12,000 | $45,790 + $12,450 = $58,240 | $48,490 + $8,032 = $56,522 | Hybrid by $1,718 |
| 15,000 | $45,790 + $15,563 = $61,353 | $48,490 + $10,040 = $58,530 | Hybrid by $2,823 |
| 20,000 | $45,790 + $20,750 = $66,540 | $48,490 + $13,387 = $61,877 | Hybrid by $4,663 |
MSRP before destination, taxes and fees, plus 5 years of fuel at $4.15 a gallon. Excludes insurance, maintenance, financing and resale differences.
Keep it 3 years at 10,000 miles a year, though, and the hybrid saves about $2,200 in fuel, not quite enough to cover its $2,700 premium.
What If Gas Prices Change?
Denver gas has swung between about $2.15 and $4.64 a gallon over the past 12 months, so it helps to look at a range. At 15,000 miles a year with AWD:
| Gas price | Gas AWD fuel / yr | Hybrid AWD fuel / yr | Hybrid saves / yr | Pays back $2,700 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00 | $2,250 | $1,452 | $798 | 3.4 years |
| $3.50 | $2,625 | $1,694 | $931 | 2.9 years |
| $4.15 (Denver, Oct. 2026) | $3,113 | $2,008 | $1,104 | 2.4 years |
| $4.50 | $3,375 | $2,177 | $1,198 | 2.3 years |
| $5.00 | $3,750 | $2,419 | $1,331 | 2.0 years |
Denver 12-month range per EIA weekly retail data. EPA combined ratings; estimates only.
The Case for Keeping the $2,700
The gas Telluride's lower price is money in your pocket on day one. A few ways to look at it:
- Smaller loan: financing $2,700 less at an example 6.9% APR for 60 months lowers the payment about $53 a month, about $3,200 over the loan.
- Invested instead: $2,700 earning 7% a year grows to about $3,790 in 5 years, $4,640 in 8 years and $6,080 in 12 years.
- Short ownership: if you trade in within about 3 years at 10,000 to 12,000 miles a year, the hybrid's fuel savings roughly match or fall short of its premium.
- More trims and seats: only the gas Telluride comes in LX, S, X-Line EX and the off-road X-Pro trims, and only the gas LX and EX offer an 8-seat bench.
When the Hybrid Makes the Better Case
You drive 18,000+ miles a year
At today's prices the hybrid pays back its premium in about 2 years and saves roughly $3,900 more than its cost over 5 years.
You keep vehicles 7+ years
At 15,000 miles a year, the hybrid saves about $5,000 more than its premium over 7 years at $4.15 gas.
You sit in Denver traffic
Stop-and-go driving is where electric assist and regenerative braking save the most.
You want the extra power and features
329 hp versus 274, plus the Hybrid-only Executive Package on SX Prestige trims: front Relaxation seats with leg rests, power 2nd-row seats with Relaxation Mode and heated outboard 3rd-row seats.
Which One Fits You?
| If this is you… | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High-mileage commuter who hates fuel stops | Hybrid | Up to 637 miles of range (EX FWD) and the biggest fuel savings |
| Towing near 5,000 lbs | Gas | 500 lbs more towing capacity |
| Want the quickest, smoothest acceleration | Hybrid | 329 hp and 339 lb-ft combined |
| Want the lowest price or an off-road X-Pro | Gas | More trims, starting at $39,190 |
| Need 8 seats | Gas LX or EX | The hybrid comes only with 2nd-row captain's chairs |
| Need winter traction | Either | AWD is available on both; tires matter most |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying the hybrid for mpg without checking your real annual miles.
- Forgetting the Towing Package: the tow rating assumes the right hitch, wiring and setup.
- Assuming AWD is standard. It's optional on some trims, standard on others, and the SX comes only with FWD.
- Comparing different trims. Match equipment, wheels and drivetrain before comparing prices and mpg.
Compare Both at Emich Kia
We stock gas and hybrid Telluride trims, including in-transit and in-production units, so you can drive them back to back and see the numbers for your own mileage.
- Family-owned since 1922 at 1260 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver, a few minutes from I-25 and Cherry Creek.
- Not sure which trim has the feature you want? We'll check the window sticker on any vehicle before you visit.
- Schedule a test drive, apply for financing online or value your trade before you come in.
Telluride Gas vs. Hybrid: FAQ
How much more does the Telluride Hybrid cost than the gas Telluride?
$2,700 more on every trim offered both ways. For example, the gas EX AWD is $45,790 and the hybrid EX AWD is $48,490 MSRP, before the $1,545 destination charge.
What mpg does the Telluride Hybrid get compared to the gas model?
The hybrid is EPA-rated at up to 35 mpg combined (EX FWD), 33 for the SX FWD and 31 with AWD. The gas Telluride gets 22 mpg combined with FWD and 20 with AWD.
How long does the Telluride Hybrid take to pay for itself?
At $4.15 a gallon (Denver, October 2026) and 15,000 miles a year with AWD, about 2.4 years. At 10,000 miles it takes about 3.7 years; at 20,000 miles, about 1.8 years.
Is the Telluride Hybrid more powerful?
Yes. The hybrid makes 329 hp and 339 lb-ft combined versus 274 hp and 311 lb-ft for the gas 2.5L turbo.
How much can the Telluride Hybrid tow?
4,500 lbs with the Towing Package, versus 5,000 lbs for the gas Telluride.
Does the Telluride Hybrid need to be plugged in?
No. It's a self-charging hybrid that recharges through regenerative braking and the engine. You fill it with regular gas.
Which transmission does each one use?
The gas Telluride uses an 8-speed automatic and the hybrid a 6-speed automatic.
Can I get the Telluride Hybrid with AWD or as an X-Pro?
AWD is optional on the hybrid EX and standard on the X-Line SX, SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige; the hybrid SX is FWD only. The X-Pro off-road trims come only with the gas engine.
Drive Both at Emich Kia
Shop gas and hybrid Telluride models in stock, in transit and in production at Emich Kia.
Shop Telluride Hybrid Shop Gas Telluride