Telluride, Kia’s supersized “mid-size” SUV, has finally welcomed the second generation. And it has gone hybrid too. Well, one of the engine options is anyways. Folks, meet the all-new 2027 Kia Telluride. The outgoing model already had a reputation for being the unofficial national family vehicle, so Kia leaned into that success with something noticeably larger, more spacious, and more refined. And boy, is it looking fantastic, too!
It now sits longer, stretches its legs more, and packs even more tech inside—enough to make the first-gen model feel like it came from a simpler era. The big news is the turbo-hybrid option, which gives this three-row giant a proper punch while keeping fuel stops to a minimum. In short, this is the Telluride doing what the Telluride does best, only with more of everything people actually liked.
Under the hood, your choices are straightforward. The new 2.5-liter turbo makes 274 horses and 311 lb-ft, which is a healthy bump over the old V6. The hybrid version pairs the same engine with a 1.65-kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motors for a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft (460 Nm).
It isn’t pretending to be a sports SUV, but the estimate of 35 mpg combined and up to 600 miles (965 km) of range is going to make road-trip parents quietly fist-pump behind the steering wheel. Both powertrains get improved steering response thanks to a rack-mounted system that replaces the old column setup, and AWD trims gain smarter torque distribution to keep things planted on rough terrain.
Speaking of terrain, the X-Pro trim returns as the rugged one of the bunch. It now sits on wider all-terrain tires, enjoys 9.1 inches (231 mm) of ground clearance, and finally gets a proper electronic limited-slip differential. There’s even a new Ground View Monitor for crawling over whatever you’ve convinced yourself is a trail. Off-roaders will appreciate the recovery points, the tighter suspension tuning, and the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg) on the gas model or 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg) on the hybrid.
Inside, Kia went full “rolling living room.” The cabin takes on a more sculpted, wrap-around look with wood-style textures, hidden door handles, and enough ambient lighting options to make passengers think they’re entering a boutique hotel lobby. Front passengers can enjoy available relaxation seats with leg rests, and yes, the driver can get a massage.
Meanwhile, second-row passengers now get optional power-operated heated and ventilated captain’s chairs, and even the third row can be heated if you pick the right trim. Cargo space behind the third row grows to 22.3 cubic feet (631 liters), and with everything folded, you get 86.9 cubic feet (2,461 liters).
Tech is where the Telluride clearly aims above its price bracket. A massive dual-screen setup runs Kia’s latest ccNC interface with over-the-air updates, enhanced mapping, and an available 14-speaker Meridian audio system. Streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+ are integrated for those long waits in parking lots, and the new Digital Key 2.0 finally allows sharing access through phones and smartwatches.
The 2027 Kia Telluride arrives in Q1 2026. Pricing will be announced nearer to launch. Meanwhile, you can learn more about this alluring new SUV HERE.
Image: Kia Motors.
