Which Kia SUV Should You Choose in 2026-2027? A Guide Based on Your Needs

Which Kia SUV Should You Choose in 2026-2027? A Guide Based on Your Needs
Kia SUV lineup displayed in front of a contemporary building for the 2026–2027 buying guide.

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.

At a glance: which Kia SUV for which driver?

Model Size Seats Powertrains Max Cargo Max Towing Recommended Use
2027 Seltos Subcompact 5 Gas (hybrid announced) 1,817 L N/A City driving, first SUV
2026 Sportage Compact 5 Gas, hybrid, PHEV 2,098 L 2,500 lb Everyday versatility
2026 Sorento Mid-size 6 Hybrid, PHEV 2,139 L 2,000 lb Family of 5 or 6, electrified
Telluride Full-size SUV 7 or 8 Gas 2,455 L 5,000 lb (5,500 lb X-Pro) Large family, towing
2027 EV5 Electric compact 5 Electric 2,080 L N/A Family, fully electric
2026 EV9 Electric full-size SUV 6 or 7 Electric 2,314 L 5,000 lb (AWD) Large family, electric

Kia SUVs by size and budget

Grey 2027 Kia Seltos shown from a front three-quarter angle on sandy terrain.

Kia Seltos: for city driving and a tighter budget

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.

Kia Sportage: the versatile compact SUV

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.

Blue 2026 Kia Sportage parked in tall grass with mountains in the background.

Prices shown are those listed on the manufacturer’s website at the time of research and are subject to change without notice.

Blue 2026 Kia Sorento shown from a front three-quarter angle in a mountain landscape.

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.

Blue 2025 Kia Telluride viewed from the front while driving on a dirt road.

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.

White 2027 Kia EV5 shown from a front three-quarter angle, parked near a green space.

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.

Grey 2026 Kia EV9 shown from a front three-quarter angle in a coastal landscape at sunset.

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?

Open cargo area of a 2026 Kia Sportage loaded with luggage, a cooler and camping equipment.
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?

Blue electric Kia EV9 viewed from the front while connected to a charging station outside a building.
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).

Kia EV5 GT-Line viewed from the front in a snowy mountain landscape.

Which Kia SUV is best for Quebec winters?

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.

Quick scenarios: 6 profiles, 6 lineup recommendations

Profile Recommendation Why
Urban couple Seltos $31,449 to start, easy to park
Family of 4 Sportage Hybrid or EV5 5 seats and over 2,000 L with the seats folded
Family of 6 Sorento Hybrid or EV9 6 seats; the EV9 goes up to 7
Cottage owner with a trailer Telluride or EV9 AWD 5,000 lb of towing capacity
High-mileage driver Sportage Hybrid or Sorento Hybrid No charging, gas-powered range
Fully electric buyer EV5 or EV9 Up to 457 km (EV5) and 491 km (EV9)

Final Kia SUV comparison table

Model Starting MSRP Power Fuel Consumption or Range Seats Max Cargo Max Towing
2027 Seltos $31,449 147 to 190 hp 7.8 to 9.0 L/100 km 5 1,817 L N/A
2026 Sportage $35,299 187 to 268 hp 8.3 L/100 km (gas FWD); 55 km electric (PHEV) 5 2,098 L 2,500 lb
2026 Sorento $46,649 227 to 268 hp 7.0 L/100 km (HEV); 55 km electric (PHEV) 6 2,139 L 2,000 lb
Telluride $53,949 291 hp (V6, 2025) 11.7 L/100 km 7 or 8 2,455 L 5,000 lb
2027 EV5 $45,796 154 to 302 hp 335 to 457 km 5 2,080 L N/A
2026 EV9 $62,296 201 to 502 hp 370 to 491 km 6 or 7 2,314 L 5,000 lb (AWD)

Prices shown are those listed on the manufacturer’s website at the time of research and are subject to change without notice.

Need a hand with financing? Our team can run payment estimates for two or three models side by side.

FAQ

What is the smallest Kia SUV?

The Seltos. It is the subcompact SUV in the lineup, with 786 L of cargo space behind the rear seats.

Which Kia SUVs offer three rows of seats?

The Sorento (6 seats), EV9 (6 or 7 seats) and Telluride (7 or 8 seats).

Which Kia SUVs are available as hybrids or plug-in hybrids?

The Sportage (hybrid and PHEV) and Sorento (hybrid and PHEV). A hybrid version of the Seltos has also been announced.

Which electric Kia SUV should you choose, the EV5 or EV9?

The EV5 for 5 people and a budget starting at $45,796. The EV9 for 6 or 7 people or for towing up to 5,000 lb.

Prices shown are those listed on the manufacturer’s website at the time of research and are subject to change without notice.

Which Kia SUV should you choose for towing?

The Telluride (5,000 lb, or 5,500 lb for the X-Pro) or the all-wheel-drive EV9 (5,000 lb).

Which Kia SUV has the most interior space?

The Telluride, with 2,455 L of cargo space with the seats folded and seating for up to 8. Among electric models, it is the EV9, with 2,314 L.

Blue 2027 Kia Sportage PHEV shown in profile, parked in front of mountains at sunset.
2027 Kia Sportage PHEV