Quick take
- This is Kia's first full redesign of the Telluride since it launched — a longer wheelbase, a boxier stance, and a reshaped interior, not just a styling refresh.
- For the first time, the Telluride is available as a turbo-hybrid, making a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque — up to 38 more horsepower than the outgoing V6.
- The naturally aspirated V6 is gone. The standard engine is now a 2.5-liter turbo-four making 274 hp, with the hybrid as the step-up performance and efficiency option.
- The redesigned Telluride is already on sale, with the gas lineup arriving first and the turbo-hybrid following shortly after.
The Telluride has been Kia's biggest success story in the U.S. for years — a three-row SUV that out-charmed far more expensive rivals on styling and perceived value alone. That made the redesign a genuinely risky project: change too much, and you break something that wasn't broken. The 2027 Telluride threads that needle by keeping the boxy, upright silhouette people liked and putting the real engineering effort into what's underneath it — a longer wheelbase, a reshaped cabin, and, for the first time in the nameplate's history, a turbo-hybrid powertrain that actually out-muscles the V6 it replaces. It's a full second-generation redesign, not a refresh, and it's already reaching Kia dealers.
A real second-generation redesign, not a refresh
Kia grew the 2027 Telluride in the dimensions that matter for a family SUV: the wheelbase stretches 2.7 inches to 116.9 inches, and overall length grows 2.3 inches to 199.2 inches. Kia converted that growth into cabin space — the Telluride seats 7 or 8 depending on configuration, with a redesigned second-row bench that Kia says makes third-row access easier. Maximum cargo capacity is now rated at 86.9 cubic feet, with 22.3 cubic feet (21.3 on the hybrid) available behind a raised third row. Aerodynamics improved too: Kia says the drag coefficient dropped from 0.33 to 0.30, largely thanks to flush door handles and a cleaner front fascia.
| Spec | Figure |
|---|---|
| Base engine | 2.5L turbo I4, 274 hp / 311 lb-ft |
| Turbo-Hybrid | 2.5L turbo I4 + electric motor(s), 329 hp / 339 lb-ft combined |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (gas) / 6-speed automatic (hybrid) |
| Wheelbase growth | +2.7 in. vs. outgoing model (116.9 in. total) |
| Max cargo | 86.9 cu ft |
| Towing | Up to 5,000 lbs (gas) / 4,500 lbs (hybrid) |
The headline news: a turbo-hybrid that beats the old V6
The bigger story is under the hood. Kia dropped the naturally aspirated V6 entirely, replacing it with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. Stepping up gets you the real news: a turbo-hybrid version of that same 2.5-liter engine, combined with a 1.65-kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motor through a 6-speed automatic, for a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. That's up to 38 more horsepower and 77 more lb-ft than the old 3.8-liter V6 (291 hp / 262 lb-ft) — the hybrid isn't just the efficient Telluride, it's the quickest one Kia has ever sold.
Efficiency improves accordingly: Kia estimates the front-wheel-drive hybrid at up to 35 mpg combined, with all-wheel-drive hybrid models estimated at 31 mpg combined — as much as 13 mpg better than the equivalent gas model — for a total driving range approaching 600 miles. The hybrid also gets a "Stay Mode" that can run climate and cabin systems off the battery for about 20 minutes without the engine running, and standard electric Vehicle Motion Control (e-VMC), which uses the electric motor to fine-tune power delivery for stability. Standard towing capacity is 5,000 lbs on gas models and 4,500 lbs on the hybrid, with an optional self-leveling rear suspension for trailer duty.
Off-road capability got a real upgrade too, concentrated in the X-Pro trim: ground clearance climbs to 9.1 inches, and X-Pro adds an electronic limited-slip differential, electronic dynamic torque-vectoring control, a Multi-Terrain AWD mode, and standard wider all-terrain tires. A Ground View Monitor gives a composite view of the terrain directly beneath the SUV at low speeds, and X-Pro-exclusive ground lighting illuminates the area around the vehicle front, side, and rear — genuinely useful at a campsite or trailhead, not just styling.
Inside: bigger screens, more comfort tech, and a longer safety list
The redesigned Telluride gets Kia's latest Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, with dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the "Hey, Kia" voice assistant. Higher trims add a 12-inch head-up display, a digital rearview mirror on SXP models, an optional 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, dual wireless phone chargers, and USB-C ports across all three rows. Streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+), NBA team display themes, Digital Key 2.0 phone/smartwatch unlocking, and Kia's myQ Connected Garage integration round out the tech list.
Comfort got attention too: available front relaxation seats add power leg rests, the driver's seat can be had with Kia's Ergo Motion massage function, and the steering wheel gets power tilt/telescope with memory. Second-row power captain's chairs are available, heated seats can be optioned across all three rows (outboard positions), and the second row offers ventilation. Kia also added a dedicated NVH package — triple door seals, extra sound-absorbing material, and thicker glass — aimed at cutting road and wind noise.
On safety, the redesigned Telluride adds a front-row center airbag for 10 total airbags, standard Lane Following Assist and Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning/Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist. Available features include Highway Driving Assist 2, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and a Rear Occupant Alert System. Kia says the redesign includes a stiffer body structure aimed at an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.
Trims and how they break down
LX / S
The value entry points, built on the standard 2.5L turbo four making 274 hp.
EX / SX / SX-Prestige
Available as gas or turbo-hybrid, FWD or AWD, adding the bulk of the comfort and tech options.
X-Pro
The off-road-focused trim: 9.1 in. ground clearance, E-LSD, Multi-Terrain AWD mode, and standard all-terrain tires.
X-Line
Unique 21-inch wheels and raised roof rails, available with either the gas or turbo-hybrid powertrain.
Inside the cabin
Official Kia press photography of the redesigned Telluride's cabin, including the reworked second-row bench designed for easier third-row access and X-Pro-specific interior trim.
Full photo gallery (18 photos)
All 18 images below are official Kia press photography of the 2027 Telluride — static studio-style shots, dynamic driving shots, and interior detail. Click any photo to enlarge.
Common questions
Is the 2027 Telluride redesigned or just refreshed?
It's a full second-generation redesign — a longer wheelbase, a reshaped interior, a new turbo-hybrid powertrain, and updated safety and infotainment systems, not just new bumpers and a grille.
Is the 2027 Telluride hybrid actually faster than the old V6?
Yes. The turbo-hybrid's combined 329 hp and 339 lb-ft beat the outgoing 3.8-liter V6's 291 hp and 262 lb-ft — up to 38 more horsepower and 77 more lb-ft.
Can you still get a Telluride without a turbo or hybrid?
No. Kia dropped the naturally aspirated V6 for this generation. Every 2027 Telluride uses the 2.5-liter turbo-four, either on its own or paired with the hybrid system.
Is the 2027 Telluride on sale yet?
Yes — the redesigned Telluride is already reaching Kia dealers, with the gas lineup arriving first and the turbo-hybrid following shortly after.
This is the redesign the Telluride needed without the redesign that ruins what made it popular: the boxy, friendly styling survives, but nearly everything under it is new. The turbo-hybrid is the real headline — a powertrain that's both quicker and more efficient than the V6 it replaces is a rare combination, and X-Pro's off-road hardware is more substantial than the usual trim-level styling package. The trade-off is that the base V6 is gone entirely, so shoppers who liked the old naturally aspirated simplicity will need to adjust to turbocharging across the board. For nearly everyone else, this looks like a genuine step forward for Kia's best-selling three-row.
Disclosure. This review is based on manufacturer specifications and Kia's own press materials: Kia Media — 2027 Telluride press release, Kia Media — 2027 Telluride HEV announcement, and Kia.com — 2027 Telluride Hybrid product page. DopamineKart did not receive a loaned vehicle, payment, or other consideration from Kia for this coverage. Photography via Kia Press Office.
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