2027 Kia Telluride Buyer's Guide
The 2027 Kia Telluride grows up.
A first-ever hybrid powertrain. A genuinely capable X-Pro. A near-luxury cabin that punches well above its sticker price. Here's everything you need to know before you walk onto the lot.
Video reviews from MikesCarInfo
Real-world driving impressions and a detailed walk-around. Start here, then dig into the trim breakdowns below.
Telluride gasoline trims
Seven trims, all powered by the new 274-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder mated to an 8-speed automatic. FWD standard on most; AWD optional or standard depending on trim.
Telluride LX
The honest starting point.
The LX is the only Telluride that comes with the bench second row instead of captain's chairs, putting eight-passenger seating in reach at the lowest price. Cloth upholstery and 18-inch wheels keep cost down, but you still get the full ADAS suite, dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays, wireless CarPlay, and the new turbocharged powertrain. AWD adds roughly $2,000.
If you mostly need a roomy three-row hauler and don't care about heated seats or premium materials, the LX makes a strong case.
- 2.5L Turbo I-4, 274 hp, 8-speed AT
- 8-passenger seating with bench second row
- Cloth upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels
- Dual 12.3-inch displays (cluster + infotainment)
- Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto
- Full standard ADAS (HDA, BCW, RCCA)
- 10 airbags incl. front-row center airbag
Telluride S
A small step toward comfort.
The S adds the upgraded second-row captain's chairs (dropping seating to 7), heated front seats, a power driver's seat, and a few exterior touches. It's where most family buyers will start their real shopping.
- 2nd-row captain's chairs (7-passenger)
- Heated front seats
- Power driver's seat
- SynTex synthetic leather upholstery
- Roof rails, auto headlights
Telluride EX
The volume seller, for good reason.
EX is where the Telluride starts to feel premium. You get a power liftgate, heated & ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate, wireless phone charging, and a more substantial wheel design. Most shoppers can stop here and not feel they're missing anything important.
- Heated & ventilated front seats
- Hands-free smart power liftgate
- Dual wireless phone chargers
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Heated steering wheel
- Power-folding mirrors with turn signals
Telluride SX
Style and tech without going Prestige.
The SX layers on the showy stuff: 20-inch wheels, LED projector headlights with dynamic bending, the Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and the Meridian 14-speaker premium audio system. This is the trim that looks like luxury money but doesn't cost it.
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- LED projector headlights with auto-leveling
- Surround View Monitor + Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Meridian 14-speaker premium audio
- Highway Driving Assist 2
- 10-way power driver, 8-way power passenger
Telluride SX-Prestige
Near-luxury, without the luxury badge tax.
The SX-Prestige is where the Telluride genuinely competes with German and Japanese luxury three-rows costing $15,000 more. You get Nappa leather, the 12-inch head-up display, the digital rearview mirror, second-row heated & ventilated captain's chairs, the power tilt & telescoping wheel with memory, and Digital Key 2 with UWB.
If you've been cross-shopping a Lexus TX or an Acura MDX, drive this one before signing.
- Nappa leather seating
- 12-inch head-up display
- Full Display Digital Rear View Mirror
- 2nd-row heated & ventilated captain's chairs
- Power tilt/telescoping wheel with memory
- Digital Key 2 UWB (phone-as-key)
- Acoustic 2nd-row glass, NVH package
- SynTex Suede headliner & pillars
Telluride X-Line
Rugged styling, mostly on-road manners.
X-Line is offered as a package overlay on EX, SX, and SX-Prestige. You get blacked-out exterior trim, raised roof rails, unique 21-inch wheels, AWD as standard, and a slightly elevated ride height. It's the trim for buyers who want the look without the off-road compromise.
- Standard AWD on every X-Line
- Unique 21-inch wheels
- Blacked-out exterior trim, mirrors, D-pillars
- Raised roof rails
- Self-leveling rear suspension
- Available on EX, SX, SX-Prestige
Telluride X-Pro
The only one that's actually built to leave the pavement.
The X-Pro takes the rugged styling of the X-Line and backs it up with real hardware. You get an Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (E-LSD), 9.1 inches of ground clearance, an upgraded suspension with extra travel, all-terrain tires on smaller 18-inch wheels, front and rear recovery hooks, exclusive Ground Lighting, and the Ground View Monitor for low-speed obstacle navigation.
If you camp, tow, or live somewhere with real winters, this is the trim that earns its money. Note: No hybrid X-Pro is offered.
- 9.1 inches of ground clearance
- E-LSD + multi-terrain AWD modes
- 18″ wheels with all-terrain tires
- Front & rear recovery hooks
- Ground Lighting (exclusive)
- Ground View Monitor
- Upgraded suspension with extra travel
- Snow / Mud / Sand terrain modes
Telluride Turbo Hybrid trims
The first-ever Telluride Hybrid pairs the same 2.5L turbo with electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery for a combined 329 hp and 339 lb-ft. Six-speed automatic. Up to 35 mpg combined and a 637-mile range on the EX FWD. Available in EX, SX, and SX-Prestige — including X-Line versions of SX and SX-Prestige. No X-Pro hybrid is offered.
Telluride Hybrid EX
The best value in the lineup, full stop.
The Hybrid EX gets the full powertrain advantage — 329 hp, 35 mpg combined, 637 miles between fill-ups — with the same well-equipped EX cabin as the gas version. You pay roughly $2,700 over the gas EX FWD and recoup it inside three years at average gas prices.
This is the trim Edmunds and J.D. Power both call out as the value pick. AWD adds roughly $2,000 and drops combined economy to 31 mpg.
- 329 hp combined turbo hybrid output
- 35 mpg combined (FWD), 31 mpg (AWD)
- 637-mile total range (FWD)
- Stay Mode: climate & accessories on battery
- e-VMC stability and motor-control system
- 4,500 lb tow rating (with package)
- 0-60 in ~7.0 seconds (Edmunds tested)
Telluride Hybrid SX
All the SX style, plus the efficiency story.
Same SX content as the gas version — 20-inch wheels, premium audio, surround camera — with the hybrid powertrain. FWD returns 33 mpg combined; AWD drops to 31. The X-Line variant adds standard AWD and the rugged styling package.
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- 33 mpg combined (FWD), 31 mpg (AWD)
- Meridian 14-speaker audio
- Surround View & Blind-Spot View
- X-Line version available with AWD standard
Telluride Hybrid SX-Prestige
The flagship combination — if you can find one.
Tops out the lineup. Every Prestige feature — Nappa leather, head-up display, digital rear mirror, suede headliner, Digital Key 2 — combined with the hybrid powertrain. The X-Line SX-Prestige Hybrid at $57,590 is the most expensive Telluride you can buy.
Edmunds-tested 0-60 of 7.0 seconds with the hybrid — that's quicker than a Honda Pilot.
- All SX-Prestige luxury features
- 329 hp combined output
- 31 mpg combined (AWD standard at this trim)
- 0-60 in 7.0 sec (Edmunds)
- X-Line variant available
Kia has issued a recall on certain 2027 Telluride Hybrid SX-Prestige and X-Line SX-Prestige vehicles equipped with the Executive Package. The second-row power seats may fail to detect a person and continue moving during one-touch tilt-and-slide or power fold-and-stow operations. Owner notification letters were scheduled for May 19, 2026; remedy is under development. If you're shopping these specific configurations, ask your dealer for recall status before signing. Contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 for verification.
Complete specifications
Switch between gasoline and hybrid powertrains. All figures from Kia and the EPA.
How the Telluride stacks up
The midsize 3-row SUV class is more competitive than ever. Here's how the 2027 Telluride lines up against the rivals you're probably also driving.
| Spec | Kia Telluride | Hyundai Palisade | Toyota Grand Highlander | Honda Pilot | Mazda CX-90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $39,190 | $41,035 | $43,355 | ~$41,000 | ~$40,000 |
| Top trim MSRP | $57,590 | ~$56,000 | ~$58,000 | ~$54,000 | ~$62,000 |
| Base engine | 2.5L Turbo I-4 / 274 hp | 3.5L V6 / ~285 hp | 2.4L Turbo / 265 hp | 3.5L V6 / 285 hp | 3.3L Turbo I-6 / 280 hp |
| Hybrid available | Yes (329 hp) | Yes (coming) | Yes (245-362 hp) | No | PHEV only |
| Hybrid mpg combined | 35 (FWD) | TBA | 36 (Hybrid) | — | 56 MPGe (PHEV) |
| 2nd-row legroom | 43.0 in | 43.0 in | 39.5 in | 40.8 in | 39.4 in |
| Max cargo | 89.3 cu ft | 86.7 cu ft | 97.5 cu ft | 87.0 cu ft | 74.2 cu ft |
| Max tow | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Off-road trim | X-Pro (E-LSD, 9.1″) | XRT (mild) | None real | TrailSport (mild) | None |
| Built in | West Point, GA | West Point, GA | Princeton, IN | Lincoln, AL | Hofu, Japan |
| Warranty (powertrain) | 10yr / 100k mi | 10yr / 100k mi | 5yr / 60k mi | 5yr / 60k mi | 5yr / 60k mi |
The Telluride is the most well-rounded entry in the class: hybrid efficiency that nearly matches the Grand Highlander, the same class-leading second-row legroom as the new Palisade, the only genuine off-road trim in the segment (X-Pro), and the same 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty as Hyundai. Mazda's CX-90 still drives best; Toyota wins on hybrid tech maturity. The Telluride wins on balance.
What the Telluride does well — and what it doesn't
After driving every trim, here's the unvarnished view.
- The new 2.5L turbo-hybrid powertrain is the real story — 329 hp with 35 mpg combined is segment-defining.
- X-Pro is the only midsize 3-row with credible off-road hardware (E-LSD, 9.1″ clearance, recovery hooks, ATs).
- SX-Prestige interior materials punch into Lexus and Acura territory at thousands less.
- Rack-mounted electric power steering replaces the old column-mounted system — meaningful improvement in feel.
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is class-leading along with Hyundai.
- Class-leading second-row legroom (43.0″) and best-in-class third-row access with the new slide-and-tilt mechanism.
- 10 standard airbags including a new front-row center airbag; targeting IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
- The new front end is polarizing — the egg-crate grille reads as bold to some, awkward to others. The X-Pro's blacked-out treatment hides it best.
- No hybrid X-Pro, so the off-road trim is stuck with 19 mpg combined.
- Active recall on Hybrid SX-Prestige and X-Line SX-Prestige with Executive Package — verify status before buying.
- Hybrid uses a 6-speed automatic instead of the 8-speed gas trims get; smoother in operation but not as efficient at highway speeds.
- Many compelling features (Netflix/YouTube streaming, display themes, myQ garage) require ongoing Kia Connect subscription.
- Mazda CX-90 still drives more sharply for buyers who prioritize handling.
- Hybrid loses the lower cargo storage area with removable dividers that the gas version has.
Which Telluride should you buy?
Five common buyer profiles, with the trim recommendation for each.
The pragmatic family
Two kids, soccer practice, weekend Costco runs, occasional road trips. You want efficiency, three-row capability, and tech you'll actually use without overpaying for badge prestige. The Hybrid EX gives you 35 mpg, 329 hp, and every safety system — for under $48,000.
The weekend adventurer
You camp. You ski. You live somewhere with real winters. You want a vehicle that handles a forest service road as well as a school drop-off. X-Pro is the only midsize three-row with credible off-road hardware, and the SX-Prestige variant gives you luxury content too.
The luxury cross-shopper
You've been looking at the Lexus TX, Acura MDX, or even the BMW X7. The Telluride SX-Prestige delivers Nappa leather, the 12″ HUD, suede headliner, and the digital mirror for $15K-25K less. Drive it before you sign anywhere else.
The budget-first buyer
You need a roomy three-row and the badge value of a Telluride, but $50K is out of reach. The LX gives you 8-passenger seating and the full safety suite under $40K. Step up to S for captain's chairs and heated front seats.
The flagship buyer
You want it all — the rugged styling, the hybrid efficiency, every Prestige feature. This is the most expensive Telluride at $57,590, and it's the one that competes hardest with luxury three-rows costing $20K more. Just verify recall status before signing.
FAQ
Is there a hybrid Telluride X-Pro?
No. The Hybrid is offered in EX, SX, and SX-Prestige (including X-Line versions of SX and SX-Prestige), but no X-Pro hybrid exists. If you want the off-road hardware, you're stuck with the gasoline 2.5L Turbo and roughly 19 mpg combined.
How much can the Telluride tow?
The gasoline Telluride is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds with the tow package. The hybrid drops slightly to 4,500 pounds. Both numbers match the segment's competitive set.
What's the difference between X-Line and X-Pro?
X-Line is mostly cosmetic — blacked-out trim, raised roof rails, 21-inch wheels, standard AWD — with no real off-road hardware. X-Pro adds the genuine equipment: E-LSD, 9.1″ ground clearance, all-terrain tires on smaller 18-inch wheels, recovery hooks, Ground Lighting, and the Ground View Monitor. Buy X-Line if you like the look; buy X-Pro if you actually leave the pavement.
Where is the 2027 Telluride built?
All 2027 Tellurides are assembled in West Point, Georgia, from U.S. and globally sourced parts. The same plant builds the Sorento (gas trims) and the Hyundai Palisade.
Does the Telluride get over-the-air updates?
Yes. The new ccNC infotainment system supports OTA updates for software, infotainment, and certain vehicle systems. Some features may require a paid subscription or additional cost.
What's Stay Mode?
A hybrid-only feature. Stay Mode lets you run the climate control, cabin lighting, stereo, and other accessories from the hybrid battery for up to an hour without starting the engine — useful for waiting in the car or tailgating without idling.
Are the Netflix and YouTube features really included?
The vehicle hardware supports them, but you'll need an active Kia Connect subscription and additional subscriptions for the streaming services themselves. Streaming only works while the vehicle is parked.
How does it drive on the highway?
Significantly improved over the previous generation. The new rack-mounted electric power steering provides better feedback than the old column-mounted system. Highway Driving Assist 2 enables hands-on lane centering and assisted lane changes on certain federal highways. The hybrid is notably smooth under most driving conditions, though the 6-speed automatic doesn't shift quite as crisply as the gas version's 8-speed.
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