The Kia Telluride is a popular choice for many shoppers when it comes to three-row SUVs. However, the Mazda CX-90 competes in the same space, offering the brand's trademark sporty luxury. But what would compel shoppers to opt for a 2026 Mazda CX-90 for sale over a 2027 Kia Telluride?
Several key features separate Mazda and Kia’s three-row SUVs in fairly significant categories. From performance to utility to luxury, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 offers some impressive amenities and capabilities that give it a notable edge over the 2027 Telluride. We’ll break down how these differences manifest and why they’re important for three-row SUV shoppers, so you’ll have a better understanding of why one is worth more than the other depending on your shopping preferences.
Get More Performance Out of the 2026 Mazda CX-90
When it comes to getting to your destination, quickly and safely, Mazda has the performance specs for the 2026 Mazda CX-90 locked down with precision. Compared to the 2027 Kia Telluride, the CX-90 delivers stronger horsepower and torque figures. This is significant because it results in quicker off-the-line acceleration and more confident power delivery at highway speeds.
Both three-row SUVs are available in multiple powertrain configurations. The 2027 Kia Telluride’s standard powertrain is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 274 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The standard powertrain for the 2026 Mazda CX-90, however, is a turbocharged 3.3-liter e-Skyactiv®-G six-cylinder mild hybrid that makes 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. This gives a significant edge to the Mazda CX-90. The extra horsepower and torque for the CX-90 also mean better acceleration and hauling when towing with the SUV.
The Telluride has a second powertrain, a hybrid version of the turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. This narrows the performance gap considerably, though the CX-90 still maintains the upper hand in outright power, with the Turbo S trims making 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This keeps the CX-90 ahead of the Telluride when it comes to performance. You have 3% additional horsepower and 9% additional torque with the CX-90.
That’s not to mention that the CX-90 has access to a third powertrain option in the form of the 2.5-liter e-Skyactiv®-PHEV, which is paired with a 17.8 kWh battery pack. This powertrain makes 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Plus, unlike the Telluride hybrid, the CX-90 PHEV can travel an estimated 27 miles on electricity alone. It’s a nice alternative for those interested in a plug-in hybrid version of Mazda’s three-row SUV, and it still delivers competitive power figures while adding the efficiency and flexibility of a plug-in hybrid setup.
Mazda CX-90 Standard Trims Have Higher Ground Clearance
Ground clearance is a very important feature for drivers who want a utility-rich SUV that can handle dirt roads, gravel paths, or muddy routes. For drivers or families who plan on venturing off-road to camp sites, fishing ponds, hiking trails, or other outdoor locations away from paved roads, having the appropriate ground clearance is essential. Both the 2026 Mazda CX-90 and 2027 Kia Telluride have good clearance for their size, but the standard trims of the CX-90 offer greater ride height than the Telluride.
The standard ground clearance for the 2027 Telluride is 7.4 inches. However, with the 2026 Mazda CX-90, the standard ground clearance is eight inches. While the Telluride’s top-of-the-line X-Pro SX Prestige trim offers an overall higher ground clearance, you’re paying a premium price for that option, and it’s the only trim with that level of off-road capability. However, with the CX-90, every trim has higher ground clearance than the standard Telluride trims.
The significance of this is that with the Mazda CX-90, you don’t need a special off-road trim to get more clearance when traveling along muddy paths or driving over uneven terrain. For drivers who need a good daily driver that can also double as an adventure vehicle, the Mazda CX-90 is equipped to handle your travels, thanks not only to its towing capacity and performance, but also its suspension and ride height. It’s a major consideration for SUV shoppers, especially if you’re looking for a good all-around three-row SUV that can fulfill multiple roles without the premium price.
Experience the Driver Personalization of the Mazda CX-90
One of the big selling points for the Mazda CX-90 is the Driver Personalization system. This unique system allows different drivers to set up profiles, customize driving preferences, adjust media, seating, and climate settings, and save all those specific configurations to a profile.
Even better, this personalization feature can be accessed without pressing any buttons or even using your voice; instead, you simply look into the camera, and it pulls up your profile based on facial recognition. This level of accessibility is especially valuable for drivers who prefer simplified, hands-free vehicle interaction.
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 has the Driver Personalization system built in, so you can set up your custom profiles for entry and exit settings, ideal driving positions, and convenience options. This kind of feature is not available for the 2027 Kia Telluride. However, it does have integrated driver memory settings for the seats and the side mirrors, as well as customizable reminders.
While the basic functionality of seating and mirror options is nice, it pales in comparison to the more robust technological suite of personalization made available for the 2026 Mazda CX-90. This unique feature is great if you have multiple drivers who will be getting behind the wheel of the vehicle, or you have teens learning how to drive who want their own personalized settings. The use cases are varied, and it gives shoppers yet another reason why shopping for a Mazda CX-90 for sale makes sense.
Standard AWD Gives the CX-90 Greater Control & Capability
Both the 2026 Mazda CX-90 and 2027 Kia Telluride are available in multiple trims and configurations. However, only the CX-90 comes standard with Mazda’s i-Activ AWD® system across every trim. This provides a level of control, stability, and precision handling that isn’t standard across the 2027 Telluride lineup. Instead, the Telluride offers all-wheel drive as an optional system, while many trims come standard with front-wheel drive.
What’s more is that Mazda's i-Activ AWD® system uses sensors to measure road conditions 200 times per second. In simple terms, the system automatically distributes torque between the front and rear wheels depending on traction, driving conditions, and steering inputs. This detects when you need more power and torque for highway travel or passing, or when you need more agility for making sharp turns or rounding corners. This dynamic torque control provides the CX-90 with a level of handling responsiveness you typically don't find in a three-row SUV.
When you compare the Telluride, you’ll find that all-wheel drive only comes standard on the Telluride X-Line EX and higher trims. While all-wheel drive isn't even an option on the base Telluride LX, the dynamic torque system is standard across every trim of the Mazda CX-90. Whether you're making short trips to the store, navigating stop-and-go traffic, or commuting on the highway, every Mazda CX-90 trim is built to adapt. This adaptability adds significant value to the drivability of the three-row SUV.
Experience the 2026 Mazda CX-90 Firsthand
Shoppers craving modern performance, luxury accouterments, and off-road capabilities, all at a compelling price, will definitely appreciate everything Mazda has to offer with the 2026 Mazda CX-90. While the 2027 Telluride offers great features and has earned its place on the market, drivers seeking a more refined blend of performance, technology, and precision handling will find shopping for a 2026 Mazda CX-90 for sale to be the more compelling option. If you would like to learn more about Mazda’s three-row SUV, or you feel like you’re ready to take the next step and would like to get firsthand experience with the CX-90, schedule a test drive today.