THE BREAKDOWN:
- Kia dropped the naturally aspirated V6 engine for the 2027 Telluride, replacing it with a turbocharged four-cylinder.
- Kia did this due to emissions regulations, weight, and performance.
- Sang Lee, Kia America’s product planning national manager, called the V6 ‘inferior’ to the turbo I4.
The 2027 Kia Telluride is missing something that made it wildly popular—a naturally aspirated V6 engine. Kia replaced the 3.8-liter six-cylinder with a smaller, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder in its newest SUV, while adding a hybrid option. But there are several good reasons for the swap.
Sang Lee, Kia America’s product planning national manager, told Torque News in an interview, "The naturally aspirated V6 is technically, at this point, inferior to the four-cylinder turbo," citing "objective data." The new 2.5-liter turbo engine in the Telluride produces 311 pound-feet of torque at 1,700 rpm compared to the 262 lb-ft of the V6 at 5,200 rpm.
Another reason is emissions. According to Lee, a V6 would not have met the California Air Resources Board's Advanced Clean Cars II standards. The new turbo four provides more torque and lower emissions than the NA V6. The new Telluride is also 265 pounds heavier than the outgoing model, so Kia needed the additional torque to move the extra weight.
Only a few Telluride competitors offer a naturally aspirated V6, while many opt for turbocharged four-cylinders and hybrids. The Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder still feature NA V6 engines, as does the Kia’s sibling, the Hyundai Palisade. Hyundai ditched the 3.8-liter for a smaller 3.5-liter option.
Gallery: 2027 Kia Telluride
Motor1’s Take: A turbocharged four-cylinder engine might make more power and have lower emissions, but it’s still not a naturally aspirated V6. Hyundai kept a six-cylinder engine in its three-row SUV for a reason, but Kia decided to drop it and join the majority of the segment in downsizing its powertrains.
Source: Torque News
