The Big Redesign: Boxier, Bigger, and Bolder
For 2027, Kia didn’t just change the headlights and call it a day. They went back to the drawing board. The new Telluride has had a bit of a growth spurt. It’s about 2.3 inches longer and an inch taller, giving it a more commanding “don’t mess with me, I have three kids in the back” presence.
The design language is what Kia calls “Opposites United,” which basically means it looks rugged enough to climb a mountain but sophisticated enough to valet at a fancy restaurant. The most striking change? The Star Map LED lighting. Borrowing looks from its electric cousin, the EV9, the Telluride now features vertical light bars that look like something out of a sci-fi movie.
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The “Diamond” Fenders: There are new triangular creases over the wheels that catch the light like a cut gem.
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Flush Door Handles: They pop out when you approach, making you feel like a secret agent every time you go to the gym.
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The Grille: It’s massive. If it were any bigger, it might start swallowing smaller subcompact cars for breakfast.
Under the Hood: The End of the V6 Era
The biggest news for 2027 might make some purists a little misty-eyed: the trusty V6 engine is gone. In its place, Kia is giving us two very modern choices.
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The Turbo-Four: A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pumps out 274 horsepower. While that’s a few less “horses” than the old V6, it has way more torque (311 lb-ft). This means when you hit the gas to merge onto the highway, the car actually moves instead of just making a loud noise.
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The Hybrid (Finally!): This is the one everyone is talking about. It pairs that turbo engine with electric motors for a whopping 329 horsepower.
Powertrain Specs at a Glance
| Feature | 2.5L Turbo Gas | 2.5L Turbo Hybrid |
| Horsepower | 274 hp | 329 hp |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft | 339 lb-ft |
| Est. Fuel Economy | ~22 MPG Combined | ~35 MPG Combined |
| Max Towing | 5,000 lbs | 4,500 lbs |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic | 6-Speed Automatic |
Pro Tip: If you spend your life in carpool lanes and Starbucks drive-thrus, get the Hybrid. Your wallet will thank you when you realize you aren’t visiting the gas station every three days.
The “Grandioso” Cabin: Luxury Without the Luxury Price
Inside, Kia is calling the design philosophy “Grandioso.” It sounds like a fancy pasta dish, but it actually refers to the wide, horizontal layout that makes the cabin feel like a lounge.
The 2027 model features a massive panoramic curved display. It’s basically two 12.3-inch screens glued together. It handles everything from your navigation to your “Generative AI Voice Assistant.” You can literally tell the car, “I’m stressed,” and it might suggest a route through the park or turn on the seat massagers.
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Massage Seats: The driver gets an “Ergo Motion” seat that uses air pockets to rub your back. It’s not quite a professional spa, but it’s better than sitting on a wooden bench.
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Mesh Headrests: They look like high-end office chairs and actually help with airflow so your head doesn’t get sweaty on long trips.
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Purple Leather? Yes, really. Kia is offering bold new colors like “Blackberry” (a deep purple) and “Tuscan Umber.” It’s a nice break from the “50 shades of grey” most SUVs offer.
The X-Pro: For the “I Might Go Off-Road” Crowd
We all know most Tellurides will never see anything more “off-road” than a gravel driveway at a pumpkin patch. However, the X-Pro trim is built for those who actually want to get dirty.
For 2027, the X-Pro gets a lift, giving it 9.1 inches of ground clearance. It also comes with all-terrain tires and a new Ground View Monitor. This camera system lets you see exactly what is under the front bumper so you don’t accidentally crush a rock (or a stray tricycle).
X-Pro Exclusive Features:
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Heavy-Duty Cooling: To help with towing that boat or camper.
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Recovery Hooks: Painted in bright colors, just in case you get a little too ambitious in the mud.
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Unique 18-inch Wheels: Smaller wheels mean more rubber on the tires, which equals a smoother ride over bumps.
Is It Still the Family King?
The short answer: Yes.
With the longer wheelbase, the 2027 Telluride offers even more legroom in the second and third rows. Kia even redesigned the second-row seats so you can slide them forward without removing a child’s car seat. This is a game-changer for parents who are tired of performing gymnastics just to let the dog into the back row.
Why you’ll love it:
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Wireless Everything: Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. No more tangles of white cables.
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Safety First: It comes with more sensors than a space shuttle. It can steer you back into your lane, stop for pedestrians, and even watch your eyes to make sure you aren’t falling asleep.
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Streaming Content: It supports Netflix and Disney+ on the main screen (while parked, obviously), which is perfect for when you’re waiting for soccer practice to end.
Final Verdict
The 2027 Kia Telluride is taking everything people loved about the original and turning the volume up to eleven. It’s bigger, smarter, and—thanks to the hybrid—finally efficient. It’s the SUV for the person who needs a minivan but isn’t quite ready to admit it yet.
