Which Kia SUV Should You Choose in 2026-2027? A Guide Based on Your Needs
November 10 2026,
Kia SUVs cover almost every need, from the compact Seltos for city driving to the large three-row electric EV9. The hard part is deciding which one fits you best. At Kia Chambly, we make it easier to narrow down your options and find the SUV that best fits your needs.
The 2027 Seltos is fully redesigned. It starts at $31,449 (LX FWD) and tops out at $44,249 (X-Line Limited AWD). The 2.0L engine (147 hp) is rated at 7.8 L/100 km combined with front-wheel drive. X-Line trims get a 190 hp 1.6L turbo and standard all-wheel drive. Cargo space is 786 L with the seats up and 1,817 L with the seats folded. A hybrid version has been announced for later. You’ll find all the details in our Kia Seltos: Price and Specs page.
Prices shown are those listed on the manufacturer’s website at the time of research and are subject to change without notice.
Seltos vs Sportage: the Sportage offers up to 281 L more with the seats folded (2,098 L vs 1,817 L) and electrified powertrains. The Seltos costs $3,850 less to get into.
The Sportage is the only Kia SUV offered with three powertrains: gas (187 hp), hybrid (232 hp) and plug-in hybrid (268 hp, 55 km of electric range). It starts at $35,299 with the gas engine. It tows up to 2,500 lb with the gas engine and offers up to 2,098 L of cargo space. See our Kia Sportage: Price and Specs page.
Prices shown are those listed on the manufacturer’s website at the time of research and are subject to change without notice.
Kia Sorento: more seating with hybrid and plug-in hybrid options
In Canada, the 2026 Sorento is offered as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, both with all-wheel drive and 6 seats. The hybrid (227 hp) is rated at 7.0 L/100 km combined. The PHEV (268 hp) offers 55 km of electric range and 2.8 Le/100 km combined. Cargo space ranges from 357 L behind the third row to 2,139 L with the seats folded. Towing: up to 2,000 lb.
Sportage vs Sorento: the Sorento adds a third row and 41 L of maximum cargo space. If you don’t need more than 5 seats, the Sportage has you covered.
Kia Telluride: the full-size gas family SUV
The Telluride offers 7 or 8 seats, a 291 hp 3.8L V6 and up to 5,000 lb of towing capacity (5,500 lb for the X-Pro), according to the 2025 Canadian spec sheet. It offers 601 L behind the third row and 2,455 L with the seats folded. Important: there is no 2026 Telluride, and Kia Canada has postponed the Canadian launch of the 2027 Telluride (new 2.5L turbo engine and hybrid version). No Canadian 2027 pricing has been announced. Check available inventory at the dealership.
Sorento vs Telluride: the Telluride adds 1 to 2 seats and 2.5 times the towing capacity (5,000 lb vs 2,000 lb). The Sorento uses much less fuel: 7.0 L/100 km for the hybrid versus 11.7 L/100 km for the Telluride V6.
Kia EV5: the 5-seat electric SUV
The 2027 EV5 starts at $45,796 and offers up to 457 km of range. It provides up to 2,080 L of cargo space, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and V2L outlets from the Land up.
Prices shown are those listed on the manufacturer’s website at the time of research and are subject to change without notice.
EV5 vs Sportage: the space is almost identical (2,080 L vs 2,098 L). The EV5 cuts out gas entirely, while the Sportage has a lower purchase price and the convenience of widely available gas stations.
Kia EV9: the large three-row electric SUV
The 2026 EV9 starts at $62,296 (Light RWD, 370 km) and offers up to 491 km of range (Wind RWD). With all-wheel drive, it tows 5,000 lb. See our Kia EV9: Price and Specs page.
Prices shown are those listed on the manufacturer’s website at the time of research and are subject to change without notice.
EV5 vs EV9: the EV9 adds 1 to 2 seats, 234 L of maximum cargo space and 5,000 lb of towing capacity (AWD), for $16,500 more at the entry level.
Which Kia SUV should you choose based on seating?
5 seats: Seltos, Sportage, EV5.
6 seats: Sorento (hybrid and PHEV).
6 or 7 seats: EV9 (7 as standard, 6 with second-row captain’s chairs on certain trims).
7 or 8 seats: Telluride.
Which Kia SUV should you choose based on cargo space?
2026 Kia Sportage
Model
Behind the Last Row
Seats Folded
2027 Seltos
786 L
1,817 L
2026 Sportage (gas)
1,036 to 1,121 L
1,962 to 2,098 L
2027 EV5
N/A
2,080 L
2026 Sorento
357 L (3rd row)
2,139 L
2026 EV9
573 L (3rd row)
2,314 L
Telluride
601 L (3rd row)
2,455 L
Worth noting: behind the second row, the Sorento offers 1,090 to 1,274 L, versus 1,036 to 1,121 L for the Sportage. With the third row folded, the Sorento offers nearly as much space as a roomy compact SUV.
Which Kia SUV should you choose for towing?
Model
Official Capacity
Condition
Telluride X-Pro
5,500 lb
When properly equipped
Telluride (other trims)
5,000 lb
When properly equipped
EV9 AWD
5,000 lb
All-wheel-drive trims
Gas Sportage
Up to 2,500 lb
Depending on trim
Sportage Hybrid and PHEV
2,000 lb
When properly equipped
Sorento Hybrid and PHEV
Up to 2,000 lb
When properly equipped
EV9 RWD
2,000 lb
Rear-wheel-drive trims
For a mid-size travel trailer, the Telluride and EV9 AWD offer the required towing capacity. For a utility trailer or a small tent trailer, a Sportage or Sorento will do the job.
Gas, hybrid, PHEV or electric: which powertrain is right for you?
Kia EV9
You can’t charge at home
Go hybrid: Sportage Hybrid or Sorento Hybrid. No charging needed, and combined fuel consumption of 7.0 L/100 km for the Sorento Hybrid, versus 11.7 L/100 km for the Telluride V6.
You can charge every day
Go with a PHEV or a fully electric model. With 55 km of electric range, a Sportage PHEV or Sorento PHEV covers a 50 km daily commute without using any gas. If you’re ready to go fully electric, the EV5 or EV9 eliminates gas altogether.
You drive long distances
A hybrid is often the most convenient choice for long-distance driving. If you go electric, choose the larger battery: EV5 FWD (457 km) or EV9 Wind (491 km).
All-wheel drive is available or standard on every Kia SUV. It comes standard on the Sportage Hybrid and PHEV, the Sorento, the Telluride and the Seltos X-Line. For electric models, look for the heat pump, which is standard on the EV5 and the EV9 from the Wind up. Either way, good winter tires matter as much as traction.
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