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Family SUV shopping in North Texas usually comes down to a short list, and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2027 Kia Telluride both belong on it. These two three-row-adjacent SUVs share a corporate parent, similar turbocharged engines, and matching warranty terms, yet they take noticeably different approaches to space, price, and standard equipment.
This comparison breaks down the specs that matter most to DFW families, covering pricing, cargo room, and safety, so you can decide which one actually fits your driveway. If you want to see current pricing while you read, you can explore our current Santa Fe offers at Huffines Hyundai Plano.
2026 Santa Fe vs 2027 Telluride: Which SUV Fits Your DFW Family
Both SUVs are built for families, but they solve slightly different problems. The Santa Fe leans into value and front-seat comfort, backed by a hybrid option priced significantly below the Telluride's equivalent. The Telluride, meanwhile, packs in more total cargo volume and a third row roomy enough for larger frames.
A Collin County commuter family hauling two kids to school and soccer practice has different needs than a larger household that road-trips with eight people and a loaded cargo area. Figure out your own priorities first, budget, passenger count, how often you actually use a third row, and this comparison gets easier to apply.
Pricing and Value: Santa Fe's Affordability Advantage
Price is where the Santa Fe separates itself most clearly. It starts thousands below the Telluride's entry point, and that gap holds up across most trim levels. All pricing below is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and should be treated as an estimate, since figures are subject to change.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims and Starting Prices
The 2026 Santa Fe comes in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The lineup starts at $35,050, with the Limited trim beginning at $44,600 and the range-topping Calligraphy starting at $47,600. All-wheel drive is available across the lineup for an additional $1,800. The Santa Fe Hybrid adds roughly $1,100 to $1,350 over the equivalent gas trim, with the SE Hybrid starting at $36,400, SEL Hybrid at $38,690, Limited Hybrid at $45,700, and Calligraphy Hybrid at $48,700.
2027 Kia Telluride Trims and Starting Prices
The Telluride spans ten gas trims, starting with the front-wheel-drive LX at $39,190 and climbing to $56,790 for the X-Pro SX Prestige, both figures before the $1,545 destination charge. Kia also offers a Telluride Hybrid starting around $46,490 before destination, with the X-Line SX-Prestige AWD hybrid trim starting at $57,590 before destination. The Telluride's pricing reflects its larger footprint and higher trim ceiling, but families on a tighter budget will find the Santa Fe's entry price considerably more accessible.
Engine Performance and Powertrain Comparison
Both SUVs use turbocharged four-cylinder engines paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions on the gas models, and both offer a hybrid alternative that switches to a six-speed. The table below lines up the core numbers.
| Spec | Santa Fe (Gas) | Santa Fe Hybrid | Telluride (Gas) | Telluride Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine/Powertrain | Turbo 2.5L I4 | Turbo 1.6L + electric motor | 2.5L Turbo I4 | 2.5L Turbo + electric motor |
| Horsepower/Torque | 277 hp / 311 lb-ft | 231 hp / 271 lb-ft | 274 hp / 311 lb-ft | 329 hp / 339 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | FWD or HTRAC AWD | FWD or HTRAC AWD | FWD or available AWD | FWD or available AWD |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | Up to 20/29/24 (FWD) | Up to 37/36/36 (FWD) | Up to 20/26/22 (FWD) | Up to 34/36/35 (EX FWD) |
| Towing Capacity | Up to 4,500 lbs (XRT) | Up to 2,000 lbs | Up to 5,000 lbs | Up to 4,500 lbs |
Santa Fe's Standard 277-HP Turbocharged Engine
Every gas Santa Fe trim comes standard with the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, good for a 7.2-second run to 60 mph in Edmunds testing. That power figure is standard across the lineup rather than reserved for upper trims, so even the entry-level SE gets the same engine as the Calligraphy.
The Santa Fe Hybrid pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for a combined 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft, favoring efficiency over outright power. The XRT trim adds standard HTRAC AWD, all-terrain tires, and a Terrain Mode, and can tow up to 4,500 pounds.
Telluride's Engine and Towing Capability
The Telluride's 2.5-liter turbocharged engine produces 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, nearly identical to the Santa Fe's output, and is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Towing is where the Telluride pulls ahead: the gas model can tow up to 5,000 pounds, 500 more than the Santa Fe XRT, and the Telluride Hybrid is rated at 4,500 pounds against the Santa Fe Hybrid's 2,000. Families who want a hybrid and tow regularly should weigh that gap, though a Santa Fe XRT gets to within 500 pounds of the gas Telluride for less money. The FWD gas Telluride is EPA-rated at 20 city, 26 highway, and 22 combined mpg.
Interior Space, Comfort and Cargo Room
This is where the two SUVs diverge most in practical, everyday use. The Santa Fe favors front-seat occupants, while the Telluride favors total passenger and cargo volume.
Front Headroom and Legroom: Santa Fe's Edge
The Santa Fe offers 41.1 inches of front headroom and 44.4 inches of front legroom. The Telluride matches on front headroom at 41.2 inches in the sunroof-free LX, but drops to 40.0 inches once a sunroof is fitted, and front legroom is 41.4 inches across the board, giving the Santa Fe a full 3-inch advantage up front. For families who spend a lot of time commuting around Dallas-Fort Worth, that extra stretch room is a meaningful, day-to-day comfort difference.
The Santa Fe measures 190.2 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, and 69.7 inches tall, with a 110.8-inch wheelbase and a 37.9-foot turning diameter, dimensions that also make it easier to maneuver and park around Plano.
Telluride's Third-Row and Total Passenger Space
Once you move to the back, the advantage shifts. The Telluride offers 32.1 inches of third-row legroom compared to the Santa Fe's 30.0 inches, and it can be configured to seat up to eight passengers versus the Santa Fe's typical seven. Total interior volume in the Telluride reaches 180.6 cubic feet. Cargo space follows the same pattern: the Telluride offers 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.7 behind the second row, and 89.3 behind the first row, all larger than the Santa Fe's 14.6, 40.5, and 79.6 cubic feet respectively.
Families who regularly need third-row seating for adults, or who haul large amounts of gear, will find the Telluride's extra room genuinely useful. Those who need occasional third-row use but prioritize front-seat comfort day-to-day may prefer the Santa Fe's layout, or consider the new Hyundai Palisade as a larger three-row Hyundai alternative.
Standard Technology and Safety Features
Both brands include modern infotainment and driver-assist systems as standard rather than optional add-ons, though the depth of the packages differs.
Santa Fe's Standard Tech and Driver Assistance
Every Santa Fe comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a hands-free power liftgate right out of the gate. The Hyundai SmartSense suite is also standard across the lineup and includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Driver Attention Warning.
Higher trims add Remote Smart Parking Assist, a Surround View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist, and a dual 12.3-inch panoramic display. The Telluride also includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with 19 standard driver-assist systems, expandable to 29 available features, and an optional dual panoramic display measuring roughly 30 inches.
Class-Leading Safety Scores
For 2026, the Santa Fe (including the Hybrid) has earned the IIHS 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award along with a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA, both based on completed testing. As of publication, no IIHS or NHTSA ratings have been published for the redesigned 2027 Telluride. Kia points to 10 standard airbags and a reinforced structure as reasons it expects to earn Top Safety Pick+ status, but Kia's own language describes that as a target rather than a confirmed rating. The Santa Fe has verified results to point to, while the Telluride's safety performance is still pending official evaluation.
Warranty and Ownership Confidence
Both the Santa Fe and Telluride come with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, coverage that outpaces most mainstream automotive brands, which typically cap powertrain protection at 5 years or 60,000 miles. The coverage terms themselves are matched between Hyundai and Kia. The real differentiator is that the Santa Fe delivers this same protection starting thousands of dollars below the Telluride's entry price, so DFW families get the same long-term peace of mind for a lower upfront cost.
Making the Right Choice for Your Dallas-Fort Worth Family
If your family regularly needs eight seats, maximum cargo room, or higher towing capacity, the Telluride's extra third-row legroom and 5,000-pound towing rating make a strong case. If you're prioritizing value, front-seat comfort, efficiency, or a hybrid option at a lower entry price, the Santa Fe's specs and confirmed IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating stand out.
Either way, matching the vehicle to your actual driving habits, rather than the spec sheet alone, is what leads to a decision you'll be happy with in North Texas traffic and beyond.
Test Drive the 2026 Santa Fe at Huffines Hyundai Plano
Specs and tables only tell part of the story. The best way to know whether the Santa Fe's front-seat space, turbocharged engine, and standard tech suite fit your family is to get behind the wheel.
Visit Us in Plano
Our team at Huffines Hyundai Plano, located at 909 Coit Rd in Plano, TX 75075, is glad to walk you through trims and hybrid options and answer your financing questions without any pressure to buy on the spot. We're open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and you can reach our sales team directly at 972-867-5000.
Ready to Compare in Person?
Stop by or explore our new vehicle specials online to see current Santa Fe pricing before you visit, and we'll have a Santa Fe ready for you to test drive around Plano and Collin County.
