For 2027, the Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas arrive as some of the freshest new SUVs on the scene. Each is a fully redesigned product built to battle segment superstars like the Toyota Grand Highlander, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, and Hyundai Palisade. Below, we outline the most affordable versions of the latest models and help shoppers make the best purchase decision possible when deciding between the Kia Telluride LX FWD and the Volkswagen Atlas SE FWD.
Pricing Of The Telluride And The Atlas In 2027
2027 Kia TellurideKia
The Kia Telluride first debuted for the 2020 model year, two years after the Atlas. Shoppers loved it. To help keep the momentum going, a major mid-cycle refresh arrived for 2023. The current second-generation model is all-new for the 2027 model year, and the former 3.8-liter V6 has been handed a pink slip, replaced by modern turbocharged four-cylinder power.
2027 Volkswagen AtlasVolkswagen
The first-gen Volkswagen Atlas launched for 2018 on VW’s MQB architecture as an all-new machine to battle recently updated competitors, including an all-new Honda Pilot, a new Mazda CX-9, and an updated Toyota Highlander, on a similar timeline. The new second-generation of the SUV retains the boxy exterior aesthetic of the original but has a more premium-looking interior.
We’re focusing exclusively on base-model units for this comparison, but full pricing for both model lines is listed below, in case you’re looking for an upgrade.
Kia Telluride vs Volkswagen Atlas 2027 Model Year Pricing
- Kia Telluride LX FWD $39,190
- VW Atlas SE FWD $41,610
- Kia Telluride S FWD $42,090
- VW Atlas SE AWD $43,610
- Kia Telluride EX FWD $43,790
- Kia Telluride S AWD $44,090
- VW Atlas SE w/Technology FWD $45,610
- Kia Telluride EX AWD $45,790
- Kia Telluride X‑Line EX AWD $47,290
- VW Atlas SE w/Technology AWD $47,610
- Kia Telluride SX FWD $48,790
- Kia Telluride X‑Line SX AWD $51,790
- VW Atlas SEL R‑Line AWD $52,110
- Kia Telluride X‑Pro SX AWD $53,690
- Kia Telluride SXP AWD $53,890
- Kia Telluride X‑Line SXP AWD $54,890
- VW Atlas SEL Premium R‑Line AWD $56,610
- Kia Telluride X‑Pro SXP AWD $56,790
The Telluride LX with front-wheel drive comes in at just over $39,000, while the cheapest Atlas is a $2,420 upgrade for starters. Note the positions of the cheapest AWD models on the list above as well. Is the Atlas worth the upgrade? Read on for some insight to help you decide.
The Telluride’s Superior Torque Will Cost You At The Pump
Front-quarter shot of the 2027 Kia TellurideKia
With power from the latest evo5 version of the long-running Volkswagen EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the new Atlas gets 282 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That’s a boost of 13 hp from the previous Atlas, and makes the latest Atlas the most powerful yet. The increased power comes despite up to a 2-mile-per-gallon advantage in fuel economy versus its predecessor. An eight-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard.
Atlas models equipped with front-wheel drive have an EPA-estimated rating of 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Atlas models equipped with the optional 4Motion all-wheel drive system, which is a $2,000 upgrade on the base-model unit, have an EPA-estimated rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. According to EPA data, shoppers can budget $2,500 annually to fuel a front-drive model, and $2,700 annually to fuel an AWD-equipped one.
2027 Kia TellurideKia
The Kia Telluride LX runs a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, good for 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, up 50 lb-ft from its predecessor. You’ll find an 8-speed automatic here as well. For its superior torque output, the Telluride needs a little more gas, with EPA ratings of 22 combined MPG from the Telluride FWD and 20 combined MPG for AWD-equipped units. That’s $2,850 a year to feed the base-model, front-drive Telluride LX, or $350 per year on fuel more than the comparable Atlas.
Adding AWD to your base-model Atlas will add $2,000 to its up-front cost and an extra $200 to your annual gas bill. You can’t add AWD to a base model Kia Telluride. Both machines can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Which machine makes the best use of your fuel dollars? To help you decide, consider the numbers: the Telluride delivers 3% fewer horsepower, but 13% more torque. It also costs about 14% more of your gas dollars per year, with no advantage over the Atlas’s towing capacity. If you like, the Telluride is available with a hybrid engine for the 2027 model year, and Volkswagen says that one is on the way for the Atlas as well. Long story short, all non-hybrid configurations of both models are within a few dollars a month of each other’s fuel bills.
How They Compare On Interior Space
Ambient lighting shot of the 2027 Kia TellurideKia
With the Telluride LX’s standard roof, headroom measures 41.2 inches up front, 40.4 inches in the middle row, and 37.4 inches in the rear row. Legroom figures are 41.4 inches in the front, 43.0 inches in the middle, and 32.1 inches in the third row. In terms of shoulder room, look for 61.6 inches up front, 61.2 inches in the second row, and 55.3 inches in the rear.
2027 Volkswagen AtlasVolkswagen
In the Atlas, look for headroom of 41.3 inches up front, 40.4 inches in the second row, and 38.3 inches in the rear. Leg room figures in the Atlas are 41.7 inches in the front, 37.6 inches in the second row, and 33.7 inches in row 3. The shoulder room is 61.5 inches up front, 60.5 inches in the second row, and 54.9 inches in the rear for the Atlas.
The second-generation Atlas maintains its hallmark utility and improves performance for everyday capability. The new 2027 Atlas is built on the upgraded MQB Evo architecture to maintain its spacious interior—particularly the generous third row. The vehicle is about an inch longer than the outgoing Atlas, and the width, wheelbase, and height remain the same.
2027 Volkswagen AtlasVolkswagen
In terms of front and second-row headroom, this pair of machines is effectively tied. On legroom, it’s the Atlas in the lead by a small margin up front, and the Telluride with a significant lead of 5.4 inches in terms of second-row legroom versus the Atlas. This could be one of the most significant advantages for the Telluride on your entire page. In the third row, the Atlas leads with a smaller advantage of 1.6 inches over the Telluride.
2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro interior seatsKia
The smallest differences are in shoulder room, with the pair separated by 1% or less in this metric. Front-row space and total shoulder room are virtually identical between these SUVs, though rear seating dimensions reveal some different priorities. Those frequently carrying adults in the second row will appreciate the Telluride’s big lead on legroom, but those after maximum third-row headroom for growing youngsters may find the Atlas to be the better choice here.
Making Your Decision
Interior shot of the 2027 Kia TellurideKia
Some other decision-making factors are worth weighing as well. If you’re a current Atlas owner looking for a little more room and space, you won’t find any in the 2027 model: remember, its dimensions are the same as its predecessor. Conversely, the Kia Telluride shopper looking to upgrade to the newest machine will find overall length up by 2.3 inches, a one-inch increase in height, and a nearly three-inch stretch of the previous model’s wheelbase. These come with major implications for the Telluride’s ride quality and spaciousness as the brand goes full speed ahead on the Telluride’s flagship ICE SUV treatment this year.
2027 Volkswagen AtlasVolkswagen
On equipment, the base Atlas SE gets adaptive LED headlamps, heated mirrors with manual folding, an auto-dim driver’s exterior mirror, keyless entry, a power liftgate, remote start, and parking radar. Side-by-side wireless chargers are standard kit, as is a 10.2-inch Digital Cockpit Pro gauge cluster and a 12.9-inch central infotainment display. Look for nine speakers, seven USB charging ports, three climate control zones, and a 12-way power driver’s seat with four-way lumbar adjustment.
The Telluride provides a manual liftgate instead; be sure to assess its required weight, height, and effort on your test drive. The Telluride also gets a smaller 4.2-inch color driver meter cluster on the base unit, as well as a smaller 12.3-inch display audio unit, 8-speaker sound system, and 7 USB ports.
In this way, stepping into the pricier Volkswagen Atlas SE, which has a $2,420 premium over the Telluride LX, if you’re counting, has a hands-free power tailgate, more display screen square footage, and standard heated and ventilated front seats with 12-way power driver adjustment versus a 6-way manual perch in the Kia.
It never hurts to have options, and the new-for-2027 Atlas and Telluride are some of the freshest on the road today.
Sources: VW, Kia, EPA
