2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2027 Kia Telluride Which Three-Row SUV Fits You?
Premium Road Manners or Maximum Family Space? The Better Choice Depends on the Job.
The Mazda CX-90 and Kia Telluride belong on the same three-row SUV shortlist because both aim to cover daily family duty, longer regional drives, and the comfort expectations that come with a larger crossover. They simply organize those priorities differently. The CX-90 leans into Mazda's premium cabin character and driver-focused chassis, while the redesigned Telluride puts more emphasis on passenger room, cargo capacity, and a relaxed family-SUV experience.
There is one important model-year detail before we compare them. Kia did not produce a 2026 Telluride; the nameplate moved from 2025 directly to an all-new 2027 generation. For a shopper comparing new vehicles now, the useful head-to-head is therefore the 2026 Mazda CX-90 against the current 2027 Kia Telluride.
For Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and broader Tri-Valley shoppers, that choice can show up in ordinary routines: people and gear on the I-580 / I-680 corridor, school and activity schedules, weekend travel across the East Bay, and the question of whether a plug-in routine fits at home. The comparison below helps narrow which SUV deserves the first drive, which powertrain strategy matches your week, and where the biggest tradeoffs actually appear.
Which Three-Row SUV Fits Your Routine?
Choose the priority that matters most in your household. This gives you a directional starting point; the detailed panels below show when another configuration can change the answer.
Based on This Priority
Standard AWD and Driver Engagement Matter
Start With the CX-90
Who This Favors
Drivers who want standard AWD, a rear-biased Mazda driving character, and a gas powertrain that combines strong torque with competitive fuel economy for a three-row SUV.
Why It Points Here
Every CX-90 starts with i-Activ AWD, while its inline-six gas lineup gives the CX-90 a more performance-oriented mechanical identity than the Telluride's front-drive-based entry point.
CX-90 vs Telluride in 60 SecondsFive answers that clarify the current comparison▼
Is there a 2026 Kia Telluride? No. Kia skipped the 2026 Telluride model year and launched the redesigned vehicle as a 2027. That makes the current new-vehicle matchup a 2026 Mazda CX-90 versus 2027 Kia Telluride.
Which SUV has the roomier third row and more cargo space? The Telluride. It publishes 32.1 inches of third-row legroom and 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row in gas models, versus 30.4 inches and roughly 14.9 to 15.9 cubic feet in the CX-90, depending on seating configuration.
Which one includes AWD at the starting price? The CX-90. Every 2026 CX-90 includes i-Activ AWD. The 2027 Telluride starts with front-wheel drive on LX, while AWD is available or standard depending on trim.
How do the electrified versions differ? The CX-90 PHEV is a plug-in hybrid that can travel up to 26 miles on electricity when charged. The Telluride Hybrid does not plug in and reaches up to an EPA-estimated 35 combined MPG in its most efficient configuration.
Which one can tow more? Their gas-powered maximums are tied at up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, but the availability differs. The Telluride gas lineup can reach 5,000 pounds with the required towing equipment, while the CX-90 reaches 5,000 pounds on selected upper gas trims. Electrified towing separates them further: up to 4,500 pounds for the Telluride Hybrid versus 3,500 pounds for the CX-90 PHEV.
Where the CX-90 & Telluride Start to Feel Like Different SUVs
Start with the unusual model-year context, then compare the tradeoffs that change family life: the drivetrain included at entry, gas and electrified powertrains, third-row and cargo space, towing, cabin technology, and how each lineup lets you spend more.
Start With the Big Decision; Then Compare by Priority
Start Here
Where Does the Real Decision Begin?
The starting prices look almost identical until drivetrain is added to the comparison. From there, the CX-90 leans toward standard AWD, inline-six performance, and a plug-in option; the Telluride leans toward cabin space, a no-plug hybrid, and a broader family-comfort mission.
2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2027 Kia Telluride at a Glance
The CX-90 base price includes AWD. The Telluride's lowest price is front-wheel drive, so shoppers who require AWD should compare the Telluride's AWD configurations rather than the headline LX price alone.
Category
2026 Mazda CX-90
2027 Kia Telluride
Current Model-Year Context
Third model year of the current generation Current CX-90 generation began for 2024.
All-new second generation Kia skipped the 2026 model year and moved directly to 2027.
Starting MSRP*
$39,300 3.3 Turbo Select AWD
$39,190 LX FWD First listed AWD price: $44,090 S AWD
Gas Power
Standard gas: 280 hp / 332 lb-ft Turbo S: up to 340 hp / 369 lb-ft
Gas lineup: 274 hp / 311 lb-ft 2.5L turbo four-cylinder
Electrified Choice
CX-90 PHEV Plug-in hybrid 323 hp / 369 lb-ft Up to 26 miles electric range*
Telluride Hybrid No-plug turbo hybrid 329 hp / 339 lb-ft Up to 35 combined MPG*
Seating
Up to 8 passengers Exact capacity and second-row layout vary by trim and configuration.
Maximum Published Cargo*
Behind third row: 14.9–15.9 cu ft Maximum: 74.2–75.2 cu ft Varies with third-row configuration.
Behind third row: 22.3 cu ft Maximum: 89.3 cu ft Gas model.
Maximum Towing*
Up to 5,000 lb for gas configurations when properly equipped CX-90 availability begins on selected upper gas trims; Telluride gas availability depends on required towing equipment.
MSRP figures exclude destination and handling, taxes, title, license, options, accessories, dealer-installed equipment, and dealer charges. Cargo measurements depend on seating layout and measurement method. Towing requires proper equipment and adherence to manufacturer loading requirements.
The Decision in One Sentence
Start with the CX-90 when standard AWD, Mazda's more driver-focused mechanical layout, gas efficiency, or plug-in electric driving matters most. Start with the Telluride when third-row room, cargo capacity, a no-plug hybrid, or higher electrified towing solves the more important repeated need.
Powertrain & Efficiency
Do You Want the Better Gas Baseline, a No-Plug Hybrid, or Plug-In Driving?
The powertrain comparison is not a simple gas-versus-hybrid split. Mazda gives the CX-90 two inline-six output levels plus a PHEV; Kia gives the Telluride one gas engine plus a conventional turbo hybrid.
Type: plug-in hybrid Output: 323 hp / 369 lb-ft Battery: 17.8 kWh Electric range: up to 26 miles* Combined efficiency: 56 MPGe*
Type: no-plug turbo hybrid Output: 329 hp / 339 lb-ft EX FWD: 34 / 36 / 35 MPG* EX AWD: 30 / 32 / 31 MPG* Charging: no external plug required
EPA estimates vary by drivetrain and configuration. Actual mileage, MPGe, and electric range vary with traffic, speed, temperature, climate use, loading, vehicle condition, charging behavior, fuel, and driving habits.
The Electrified Choice Depends on What Happens After You Park
For an I-580 / I-680 household with dependable overnight charging, the CX-90 PHEV can turn many shorter errands and commute segments into electric-first trips while preserving gasoline backup for longer travel. Without dependable charging, the Telluride Hybrid's no-plug approach is easier to benefit from consistently.
Gas shoppers get a different answer: the CX-90's 25-combined-MPG rating is stronger than the Telluride gas ratings while also including AWD across the Mazda lineup. Telluride earns its efficiency advantage when you move specifically to the Hybrid.
Passenger & Cargo Space
How Often Will the Third Row Be a Real Seat Instead of an Emergency Seat?
Both SUVs can carry up to eight people, but the published dimensions show a meaningful Telluride advantage once the third row and cargo area become regular parts of the routine.
Seating, Legroom & Cargo Comparison
Category
2026 Mazda CX-90
2027 Kia Telluride
Exterior Footprint
Length: 200.8 in Width: 78.5 in Wheelbase: 122.8 in
Length: 199.2 in Width: 78.3 in Wheelbase: 116.9 in
Passenger Capacity
Gas: up to 8 PHEV: up to 7
Gas: 7 or 8 Hybrid: 7
Front / Second / Third-Row Legroom
Front: 41.7 in Second row: 39.4 in Third row: 30.4 in
Front: 41.4 in Second row: 43.0 in Third row: 32.1 in
Cargo Behind Third Row*
14.9–15.9 cu ft Range reflects third-row seating configuration.
Gas: 22.3 cu ft Hybrid: 21.3 cu ft
Cargo Behind Second Row*
40.0–40.1 cu ft
Gas: 48.7 cu ft Hybrid: 47.7 cu ft
Maximum Cargo*
74.2–75.2 cu ft Second and third rows folded.
Gas: 89.3 cu ft Hybrid: 88.3 cu ft Rear seating folded.
Second-Row Choice
Available layouts: Bench seating or captain's chairs depending trim and configuration
Available layouts: Bench seating on selected gas trims or captain's chairs on seven-passenger configurations
Cargo figures are published manufacturer measurements and can vary with seating configuration, equipment, and measurement method. Load the gear you regularly carry and confirm the exact vehicle's seating layout during an in-person comparison.
The Telluride's Biggest Advantage Is Not Just a Number on a Spec Sheet
The extra third-row legroom matters when that row is occupied by adults, growing teenagers, or frequent guests rather than used occasionally by children. The cargo advantage then compounds the difference because the Telluride leaves more room behind that occupied third row.
If your household rarely fills the third row, the space gap becomes less decisive and the CX-90's cabin character, drivetrain, and powertrain choices can carry more weight. If all three rows are part of the weekly schedule, the Telluride deserves serious priority.
Capability & Drivetrain
Where Does AWD or Towing Change the Shortlist?
The headline gas towing ceiling is tied, but Mazda and Kia reach it differently. Drivetrain is also a pricing question because AWD is standard on the CX-90 and configuration-dependent on the Telluride.
Drivetrain & Towing Comparison
Category
2026 Mazda CX-90
2027 Kia Telluride
Drivetrain Strategy
All trims: i-Activ AWD Layout: rear-biased AWD configuration
Gas: FWD or AWD depending trim AWD modes: Terrain Mode with Snow, Sand & Mud on applicable configurations
Gas Towing*
3,500 lb: Turbo Select & Preferred 5,000 lb: Turbo Premium Sport, Premium Plus & Turbo S trims with required Mazda towing accessories
Up to 5,000 lb Requires the applicable towing equipment; X-Pro includes a factory tow hitch.
Maximum towing capacity requires proper equipment and must be reduced for applicable passenger, cargo, hitch, accessory, and equipment weight. Confirm the exact vehicle, hitch, and loading requirements before towing.
Do Not Treat 5,000 Pounds as the Same Purchase Decision
If 5,000-pound gas towing is a recurring need, the Telluride can reach that ceiling without requiring an upper-output engine family, while the CX-90 asks you to begin at Turbo Premium Sport or higher. Mazda answers with standard AWD and the option to pair that towing ceiling with a 340-horsepower Turbo S.
Electrified towing reverses part of the story: the Telluride Hybrid's 4,500-pound maximum exceeds the CX-90 PHEV's 3,500 pounds. That can matter if better fuel economy and meaningful trailer use must live in the same vehicle.
Cabin & Daily Touchpoints
Which SUV Makes the Features You Use Every Day Easier to Reach?
The Telluride establishes a richer connectivity baseline at entry. The CX-90 asks shoppers to move to Preferred for its larger display and wireless phone integration, then uses upper trims to push further into premium materials and driver-focused displays.
Standard: 12.3-in touchscreen with navigation Updates: over-the-air system capability
Phone Integration
Turbo Select: wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Preferred & above: wireless integration and wireless phone charging
Standard: wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Charging: dual wireless phone charger
Three-Row Device Support
Available: six USB-C ports Two ports in each row on applicable trims.
Standard: one USB-C data port plus six USB-C charging ports across all three rows
Premium Cabin Ceiling
Nappa leather available
Heated and ventilated front seats available
Ventilated second-row captain's chairs on flagship Turbo S
Head-up display and 360° View Monitor available
Heated and ventilated seating available
Second-row captain's chairs available
Premium cabin materials on upper trims
Expanded camera and driver-assistance technology available
Standard Driver Assistance
Adaptive cruise: Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go Collision support: Smart Brake Support Lane support: Lane Departure Warning with Lane-keep Assist Awareness: Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert & Driver Attention Alert
Adaptive cruise: Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go Collision support: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian/cyclist detection & junction-turn support Lane support: Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist & Lane Following Assist 2 Awareness: Blind-Spot Collision Warning & Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
Climate Control
Three-zone automatic climate control with rear-row ventilation is available as part of each SUV's family-focused cabin strategy.
Feature availability varies by trim, configuration, device, subscription status, and software/service availability. Driver-assistance technologies do not replace attentive driving or direct visual confirmation.
The Telluride Starts Stronger; the CX-90 Builds Toward a More Driver-Centric Cabin
A base Telluride shopper gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless phone integration, and broad USB access without climbing the trim ladder. The CX-90's Preferred tier is where the everyday interface becomes more comparable, adding its larger display, wireless smartphone integration, and wireless charging.
Higher up, the decision becomes less about screen size and more about cabin character. The CX-90 can layer in Nappa leather, a head-up display, driver personalization, and flagship second-row seating, while Telluride upper trims keep their advantage centered on roomy passenger accommodations and family-oriented convenience.
Price & Lineup Strategy
What Are You Actually Paying More to Get?
The CX-90 divides nine trims among regular Turbo, PHEV, and higher-output Turbo S families. Telluride offers separate gas and Hybrid lineups, with FWD/AWD choices on selected gas trims and X-Line/X-Pro branches for different capability and appearance priorities.
Are you paying for equipment, stronger inline-six output, or plug-in capability?
Are you paying for AWD, richer family equipment, X-Line/X-Pro capability, or the Hybrid powertrain?
Current starting MSRP figures exclude destination and handling, taxes, title, license, options, accessories, dealer-installed equipment, and dealer charges. Pricing, incentives, and availability can change.
The $110 Base-Price Difference Is Not the Useful Comparison
The headline MSRPs are separated by only $110, but the Mazda includes AWD and the Kia LX does not. If AWD is non-negotiable, the real starting-price gap is larger and should be evaluated against the Telluride's extra third-row and cargo space rather than treated as a simple sticker-price tie.
Electrified pricing tells a different story. Telluride Hybrid begins below CX-90 PHEV because the two systems solve different ownership patterns: one reduces fuel use without plugging in, while the other adds the ability to drive shorter trips on stored electricity when charged.
Independent Review Context
Two Different Strengths in the Same Family-SUV Class
Car and Driver praises the CX-90 for its upscale cabin and engaging handling, while the redesigned Telluride stands out for space, comfort, and refinement.
Car and Driver
2026 Mazda CX-90
Premium-feeling, efficient for its size, and genuinely athletic. Car and Driver praises the CX-90's upscale interior, commendable fuel economy, and nimble handling. Its instrumented testing also shows the performance range inside the gas lineup: a 280-horsepower Premium Plus reached 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, while a 340-horsepower S Premium Plus did it in 6.3 seconds.
Spacious in every row, quiet on the road, and easy to live with. Car and Driver highlights the redesigned Telluride's generous three-row seating, comfortable ride, and refined gas powertrain. Its gas X-Line SX Prestige test reached 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, which reinforces the Telluride's family-comfort mission rather than positioning acceleration as its defining advantage.
Which SUV Makes More Sense for the Way Your Household Actually Travels?
The cleanest dividing line is how often the third row and cargo area need to work at the same time. If adults or taller passengers regularly occupy the back row while gear still has to fit behind them, the Telluride's extra passenger and cargo space is difficult to work around. If the third row is mainly occasional, that advantage matters less and the CX-90's different strengths have more room to decide the purchase.
From there, choose the ownership pattern you will actually use. The CX-90 makes the stronger case for standard AWD, more engaging gas-road manners, Turbo S performance, or plug-in electric driving for shorter charged trips. The Telluride makes the stronger case for no-plug hybrid efficiency and higher electrified towing. Gas towing does not break the tie by itself because both can reach 5,000 pounds when properly equipped; the exact configuration and cabin fit should decide the first drive.
Still Torn Between the Two? Let Your Repeated Priorities Break the Tie.
4-Question Fit Check
Find Your Better Three-Row Starting Point
Answer four questions about family-space use, drivetrain, electrification, and towing priorities. The result points you toward the vehicle to investigate first; it does not replace driving the exact configuration.
Quiz results are general shopping guidance. Final fit depends on the exact powertrain, drivetrain, trim, equipment, pricing, passengers, cargo, towing needs, and your driving routine.
Mazda CX-90 vs Kia Telluride FAQs
Is there a 2026 Kia Telluride?▼
No. Kia skipped the 2026 Telluride model year and moved from the 2025 model directly to the redesigned 2027 Telluride. For a shopper comparing new vehicles now, the relevant matchup is the 2026 Mazda CX-90 versus the 2027 Kia Telluride.
Which has more third-row room and cargo space, the CX-90 or Telluride?▼
The Telluride has the stronger space case. It publishes 32.1 inches of third-row legroom and 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row in gas models. The CX-90 publishes 30.4 inches of third-row legroom and about 14.9 to 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row, depending on seating configuration.
Do the Mazda CX-90 and Kia Telluride both have standard AWD?▼
No. Every 2026 Mazda CX-90 includes i-Activ AWD. The 2027 Kia Telluride is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on trim, and its lowest starting MSRP belongs to the front-wheel-drive LX.
Which gets better fuel economy, the Mazda CX-90 or Kia Telluride?▼
Among gas models, the CX-90 is rated at 25 combined MPG, versus 22 combined MPG for front-wheel-drive Telluride gas models and 20 combined MPG for most AWD gas models. The Telluride Hybrid reaches up to 35 combined MPG without plugging in, while the CX-90 PHEV can travel up to 26 miles on electricity when fully charged.
Which tows more, the Mazda CX-90 or Kia Telluride?▼
Their maximum gas towing ratings are tied at up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The CX-90 reaches that figure on selected upper gas trims with required Mazda towing accessories, while the Telluride gas lineup can reach 5,000 pounds with the applicable towing equipment. For the electrified versions, Kia rates the Telluride Hybrid to 4,500 pounds, while Mazda rates the CX-90 PHEV to 3,500 pounds.
Which is more powerful, the Mazda CX-90 or Kia Telluride?▼
The highest-output CX-90 is more powerful. CX-90 Turbo S models produce up to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The Telluride Hybrid produces 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft, while the gas Telluride makes 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft.
Where can I compare a Mazda CX-90 near Dublin, CA?▼
Dublin Mazda is located at 6363 Scarlett Ct in Dublin, California. We can help you compare current CX-90 gas and PHEV inventory, seating layouts, towing equipment, technology, and trade or financing options before you decide how the Mazda side of the comparison fits your household.
Shopping & Ownership Support
How Dublin Mazda Can Make the Decision Easier
We are a family-owned member of the Ken Harvey Auto Group, and our “You Matter More” approach is most useful when it turns a long comparison into a smaller set of decisions that actually fit your life. With the CX-90, that means helping you separate passenger capacity, gas versus PHEV operation, towing, and frequently used comfort features before you spend more simply because a trim sits higher in the lineup.
Our online inventory, complimentary trade-quote tools, financing application, and digital price breakdowns can move several practical steps forward before you arrive. That makes it easier to compare the exact CX-90 configuration and transaction structure instead of restarting the process at the showroom, especially for Tri-Valley shoppers coordinating work, school, or family schedules.
The relationship continues after delivery through certified Mazda technicians, genuine Mazda parts, hybrid and plug-in-hybrid service knowledge, mobile text video inspections, and digital cost breakdowns. Those tools can make maintenance decisions easier to understand and approve because you can see what our technicians see and review recommended work with more context.
Where to Go Next
Keep Researching or Move Into Shopping
Ready to Shop?
Compare current inventory, model-specific offers, trade value, and financing around the exact Mazda configuration you would consider.
Disclaimers: Vehicle specifications, pricing, features, towing capability, and availability are current as of August 2026 and may change. Starting MSRP excludes destination and handling, taxes, title, license, options, accessories, dealer-installed equipment, and dealer charges. EPA estimates are for comparison purposes; actual mileage, MPGe, and electric range vary. Towing requires proper equipment and adherence to manufacturer loading limits. Third-party review observations and test results belong to the cited publications and configurations. Driver-assistance features do not replace attentive driving. Confirm exact equipment, pricing, and availability on the specific vehicle before purchase.
