Update: This story has been updated with more information about the 2027 Kia Telluride, specifically details regarding the new powertrain options, fuel economy, and the Telluride's dimensions—including cargo capacity.
The Kia Telluride was an instant hit when it debuted for the 2020 model year. Five years later, it remains one of the brand’s best-selling models and still one of the most popular three-row SUVs on the market.
Not one to rest on its laurels, Kia is reinventing its Telluride for the 2027 model year. Debuting at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia has released photos and a few key details about the long-awaited update. We actually got the chance to see the new Telluride in person at a preview event in LA, where we got a closer look at its rugged new design and upscale interior. You can watch that video above.
Whereas the previous Telluride was already pretty rugged-looking, Kia’s designers went hard on the outdoorsy aesthetic with this new model. The front fascia now features a taller, wider grille that stretches all the way to the headlights. Grille designs vary by trim: The SXP gets a gloss-black finish with vertical slats, while the XRT sports a black mesh pattern that extends down to the base of the bumper.
Sharp, triangular body creases along the front and rear fenders give the Telluride a more chiseled look, complemented by a broader hood and a sleeker roofline. A new floating roof element extends into the trunk lid, while additional cladding wraps around the wheel arches. Squint hard enough and you might even spot hints of the latest Range Rover in its silhouette.
Both the headlights and taillights adopt a fresh vertical layout, and a new eight-spoke wheel design with a cross pattern is available on the SXP and X-Pro models shown here. The X-Pro also adds bright orange recovery hooks up front for a bit of extra off-road flair.
If the 2027 Telluride looks larger than before, that’s because it is. Kia stretched the wheelbase by 2.7 inches for a total wheelbase length of 116.9 inches. That also increases the overall length by 2.3 inches. The Telluride now measures 199.2 inches bumper to bumper, which means even more passenger and cargo space; the Telluride has 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.3 cu-ft with the third row folded flat, and 86.9 cu-ft behind the first row.
Inside, the cabin receives a comprehensive redesign to match the sharper exterior. A new dual-screen display spans from behind the steering wheel to the center of the dashboard. That setup includes two 12.3-inch displays, both running standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Premium materials, such as real wood and metal accents, line the dashboard, door panels, and center console. Upper trim level seats gain a new two-tone leather treatment with mesh headrests, while fresh interior color options—like Deep Navy and Blackberry—are joined alongside accents like Tuscan Umber and Sand Beige.
Powering the 2027 Telluride are two new engine options: A turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a four-cylinder hybrid. Hyundai replaced the lone 3.8-liter V-6 available in the current SUV, where it produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque.
The standard non-hybrid engine sends 274 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available and standard on the X-Pro trim, which has a new electronic limited-slip differential.
The hybrid powertrain pairs the 2.5-liter engine with a 1.65-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and electric motors, producing a combined 329 hp and 339 lb-ft, which is much more than the outgoing powertrain. It also delivers up to 35 miles per gallon combined for a total estimated driving range of 600 miles between fillups. The hybrid uses a six-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing is also unannounced, but we anticipate a modest increase over the current model. The 2026 Telluride starts at $37,885 for the base LX and tops out at $55,180 for the SX Prestige X-Pro. The 2027 Telluride is expected to start at just under $40,000.
