The Kia Telluride has long been a standout in the crowded three-row SUV arena, blending bold styling, generous space, and value that propelled it to sales of over 115,000 units in 2024 alone. As it enters its second generation for 2027, Kia has unveiled a comprehensively refreshed model at the Los Angeles Auto Show, emphasising enhanced ruggedness, opulent interiors, and electrified efficiency to sustain its momentum against rivals like the Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot.
Designers at Kia have amplified the Telluride’s adventurous ethos, crafting a more imposing front end with an expansive grille that seamlessly integrates vertical daytime running lights and extends towards angular headlights. Trim-specific flourishes add character: the entry-level SXP variant features a glossy black grille with upright slats, while the off-road-oriented XRT employs a textured black mesh that flows down to the lower bumper for added toughness. According to Car and Driver, these updates draw subtle inspiration from premium icons like the Range Rover, with chiselled creases along the fenders, a widened bonnet, and a subtly tapered roofline enhancing the vehicle’s muscular profile.
Subtle yet impactful details further elevate the aesthetic. A floating roofline motif carries over to the tailgate, complemented by expanded wheel arch cladding and a vertical taillight array that mirrors the headlamps for cohesion. New eight-spoke alloys with a distinctive cross motif grace the SXP and X-Pro trims, and the latter includes vivid orange recovery points at the front to underscore its trail-ready credentials. As reported by MotorTrend, these elements contribute to a silhouette that feels both familiar and evolved, maintaining the Telluride’s signature boxy charm while injecting contemporary sharpness.
The 2027 model’s growth spurt – a 2.7-inch longer wheelbase bringing the total to 116.9 inches, and an overall length of 199.2 inches – translates to amplified practicality without compromising manoeuvrability. Cargo capacity now reaches 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46.3 cubic feet with the rearmost seats folded and a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet, surpassing competitors such as the Mazda CX-90’s 15 cubic feet in the rearmost area. This expansion supports seven- or eight-passenger configurations, ideal for families, with improved second-row legroom that leads its class among petrol variants.
Inside, the cabin exudes luxury typically reserved for higher-end marques, thanks to a redesigned dashboard housing twin 12.3-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment – both equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Sumptuous touches abound, from genuine wood and metallic trim on the dash, doors, and console to new two-tone leather upholstery with perforated headrests on upper trims. Fresh colour palettes, including Deep Navy, Blackberry, Tuscan Umber, and Sand Beige, offer personalised flair, while over-the-air updates ensure the system stays current.
Under the bonnet, Kia has bid farewell to the familiar 3.8-litre V6, ushering in a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder as standard, delivering 274 horsepower and a robust 311 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Front-wheel drive is default, with all-wheel drive optional or standard on the X-Pro, which gains an electronic limited-slip differential for enhanced traction. A headline addition is the hybrid variant, mating the same engine to electric motors and a 1.65kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet, routed via a six-speed automatic – a marked improvement over the predecessor’s output.
Efficiency gains are notable, with the hybrid poised for up to 35 miles per gallon combined and a 600-mile range, appealing to eco-conscious buyers in a segment where hybrids like the Toyota Highlander remain scarce. Towing capacities hold strong at 5,000 pounds for the non-hybrid and 4,500 pounds for the electrified version. While pricing details are pending, expectations hover around $40,000 for the base model, a slight uptick from the 2026’s $37,885 entry point, positioning it competitively against the Palisade’s similar starting figure.
Debuting with availability slated for early 2026, the 2027 Telluride arrives as Kia’s flagship SUV, blending its proven formula of affordability and allure with forward-thinking powertrains. In a market projected to see three-row SUV sales exceed 1.5 million units annually by 2027, this evolution cements the Telluride’s status as a benchmark, ready to haul families towards tomorrow’s adventures with style and substance intact.
