Goodbye, naturally aspirated V6. The 2027 Kia Telluride adopts a 329 hp 2.5L Turbo Hybrid. Discover how this change affects performance.
Kia has just proven that it is possible to evolve a best-seller without betraying its essence, while making it look completely new. The original Telluride, a sales phenomenon with over 115,000 units sold in 2024, had the difficult task of being redesigned for 2027. The result, unveiled at the Kia Design Center in California, is an automotive monolith: larger, more luxurious, and boasting a hybrid engine that promises to redefine the performance of 3-row SUVs.
Imposing Design and the Philosophy of Restraint
The 2027 Kia Telluride is not just a facelift; it is an architectural reinvention. If the first generation flirted with accessible luxury, the new generation embraces a deliberately squarer and more robust aesthetic, aligning with a market trend that seeks the “architectural solidity” seen in top-tier SUVs.
The philosophy guiding the design team was “Opposites United,” which seeks balance between contrasts. According to Tom Kearns, Vice President and Senior Chief Designer at Kia Design Center America, the goal was not to create something instantly easy to love. He emphasized that every new design needs to “feel a little uncomfortable the first time you see it; otherwise, it hasn’t gone far enough to prepare you for the future.” This audacity is key to the new Telluride’s aesthetic longevity.
The result is a vehicle that has grown in all dimensions, gaining +2.3 inches in overall length and an impressive +2.7 to 3.0 inches in wheelbase, ensuring even more interior space across the three rows of seating.
The exterior changes are dramatic:
- Monolithic Front End: The front fascia is dominated by a full-width grille that visually connects to the new vertical amber Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). This vertical light signature not only modernizes the Telluride but ensures it is recognizable from miles away.
- Range Rover Vibes in the Rear: The rear adopts a clean and sophisticated look, with vertical LED elements echoing the front. Market experts already point out that the new model possesses a sophistication that puts it in direct competition with its platform sibling, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, the Hybrid SUV Kicking Down the Door to Luxury and Outperforming Competitors, but with a more robust and less organic design language.
- Controversial Details: To maintain the restrained, “anti-design” aesthetic, Kia included small elements that break perfect symmetry, such as the square “little tabs” on the wheel arches. Such details are intentionally unsettling to create a lasting and sophisticated form.
Telluride X-Pro: The Version That Will Scare Children
The highlight of the California reveal was undeniably the X-Pro version. The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro is the ultimate manifestation of ruggedness, targeting the consumer who actually takes their SUV off-road, or who just wants to look like they do.
“With the Telluride, it was about being tailored and restrained—dare I say, anti-design. But with the X-Pro version, it was about capturing strength and luxury in a single expression.”
— Tom Kearns, Kia Design Center America.
The X-Pro comes equipped with a brutal package:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Front Grille | More aggressive block grille, described by an attending media specialist as “the kind of face that will scare children a block away.” |
| Ground Clearance | Raised to 9.1 inches (231 mm). |
| Tires | 18-inch Continental CrossContact tires, ready for any terrain. |
| Off-Road Capability | Exposed tow hooks in the front and rear, higher-profile roof rails. |
| Interior Trim | Exclusive “Forged Carbon” accents, adding a supercar touch to the adventurous interior. |
If you’re looking for an SUV that combines the seven-seater family practicality with the ability to tackle serious trails, the X-Pro is your choice. Its proposition is as bold as that of the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ, which is back to redefine the off-road utility market.
Kia’s Hybrid Era: Power and Efficiency Without Competing with the EV9
The 2027 Kia Telluride marks a crucial powertrain transition. The naturally aspirated V6 engine, while reliable, is on its way out. Kia and Hyundai are adopting more compact, turbocharged engines, often paired with hybrid systems, to maximize performance and, crucially, fuel economy and emissions.
Although final specifications will be announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 20th, specialized press confirms there will be two main options:
- New V6 Gasoline Option: An updated 3.5-liter V6 engine, estimated to deliver 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. A more traditional option for those who still prefer the roar of a six-cylinder.
- The 329 HP Turbo Hybrid: This is the big news and Kia’s performance bet. A hybrid powertrain centered around a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder turbo engine, capable of generating a combined output of 329 hp. This setup, possibly a PHEV, positions the Hybrid Telluride as a fierce rival in terms of power and efficiency.
The engine swap reflects a global trend. The question of why 4-cylinder turbo engines replaced V6s and V8s has already been answered: it is a matter of modern engineering that ensures more torque and lower consumption in most driving situations. With 329 hp, the new Telluride will lose nothing to the previous model, only gaining technical sophistication.
It is important to note that Kia has shelved a fully electric (BEV) version for the 2027 Telluride. This three-row electric SUV segment is already occupied by the Kia EV9, ensuring that the Telluride, with its focus on hybrids and V6s, does not cannibalize sales within the brand.
Immersive Digital Cabin: When Physical Beats Touchscreen
The interior of the 2027 Telluride is where the SUV truly elevates itself, clearly differentiating itself from its cousin, the Hyundai Palisade. The design is described as “stunning” and immersive, focusing on the driver and front passenger.
The cabin is a case study in balancing the desire for cutting-edge technology with the need for practical ergonomics—a point of contention in many recent releases.
Although the dashboard is dominated by two 12.3-inch panoramic screens (one for the instrument cluster and one for infotainment), Kia made a surprising and very welcome choice:
- Physical Controls Maintained: Unlike the trend of putting all functions into touchscreens, the Telluride preserves physical buttons for essential functions like audio volume and climate control. This ensures the driver can operate crucial commands without taking their eyes off the road, a huge gain in safety and user experience.
- Tactile Luxury: The use of premium materials is evident. The interior incorporates engineered wood, real metal, and robust grab handles, reinforcing the image of a vehicle built to last that offers tangible luxury.
- Column Shifter: Following the trend initiated by its electric sibling, the EV9, the traditional console gear lever has been replaced by a column-mounted unit, freeing up valuable center console space and increasing practicality. This is a smart move in sharing solutions with the electrified line without making it a full EV.
The focus on a simplified user experience, despite the abundant technology, is what distinguishes this interior. While other vehicles, like the 2026 BMW iX3, which bets on giant screens covering the windshield, the Telluride opts for functionality.
For those who love fine details, the Forged Carbon trim in the X-Pro version is a touch of class. This composite material, made from chopped carbon fiber pieces, usually reserved for hypercars, adds a level of sophistication and exclusivity few family SUVs offer.
The 2027 Kia Telluride not only preserves the successful formula of the previous generation—space and value—but elevates it with bolder design, a more robust stance (especially in the X-Pro version), and most importantly, a powertrain upgrade that embraces efficiency without sacrificing performance. The introduction of the 329 hp hybrid is the knockout blow to the competition.
North American sales are slated to begin in the first quarter of 2026. The full reveal of pricing, trim lineup, and detailed fuel economy figures will happen at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Until then, the new 2027 Telluride has already established itself as the SUV the market didn’t know it needed: robust luxury and electrified power.
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If Kia continues to balance design, technology, and performance this effectively, the 2027 Telluride will undoubtedly be one of the most important launches of the decade. Keep an eye out, because the SUV market is about to get much more interesting. While we await torque figures and confirmation of the launch price, you can check out the specs of another vehicle causing a huge stir with high-performance electrification: the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, which is so fast Kia had to use 400mm brakes and racing tires!
