The Kia Telluride has always had an unusual kind of confidence. It kind of felt like Kia was trying to build a budget alternative to a luxury SUV. But in its execution, Kia had looked at the family SUV market, noticed everyone was either overstyling or overpricing their offerings, and decided to build something handsome, practical, and quietly upscale instead.

For 2027, the Telluride enters its second generation with a larger footprint, a more refined interior, new technology, and a major powertrain shift. The overhaul was so complete that Kia completely skipped the 2026 model year and introduced the new model as a 2027. The old V6 is gone. In its place, the standard gas Telluride now uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Kia also now offers a separate Turbo-Hybrid model with 329 horsepower and up to an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined in select front-drive trims.

Our test vehicle was the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Line SX Prestige AWD, the trim many shoppers will simply call the Prestige X-Line. It is not the most off-road-focused Telluride; that job belongs to the X-Pro, but it may be the sweet spot for buyers who want the upscale cabin, the rugged look, and the everyday refinement without going full trail cosplay.

Design: More Confident, Still Tasteful

The new Telluride keeps the upright, substantial presence that made the first-generation model such a hit, but the 2027 model looks more architectural. The body is cleaner, the lighting is more modern, and the proportions give it a more premium stance without chasing luxury-brand clichés.

The X-Line SX Prestige adds the right amount of visual attitude. Kia lists 21-inch wheels, black badging, black wheel-arch moldings, black window trim, dynamic welcome lighting, and a liftgate lamp among the features of the X-Line SX Prestige package. It is enough to make the Telluride look more purposeful without turning it into a plastic-clad caricature.

That matters. Three-row SUVs are often bought out of necessity, but the Telluride remains one of the few in the segment that does not make practicality feel like surrender.

Interior: Near-Luxury Without the Badge Tax

The best part of the Telluride has always been the cabin, and the 2027 model builds on that reputation. Kia says the redesign brings more second-row headroom, improved third-row access, more cargo space behind the third row, and a quieter cabin.

In X-Line SX Prestige form, the Telluride feels genuinely premium. Kia lists an Ergo-Motion massaging driver’s seat with power bolsters, heated and ventilated first and second-row seats, a sliding second-row console, SynTex suede headliner, a 12-inch head-up display, full display mirror, ambient lighting, and a Meridian audio system among the trim’s available or standard equipment.

The layout is practical, but it does not feel utilitarian. The Telluride has the kind of cabin that works for school runs, airport pickups, road trips, client lunches, and the occasional muddy parking lot at a fall football game. It is comfortable without feeling soft, polished without feeling delicate.

Cargo space is also strong. Kia lists the specifications for the X-Line SX Prestige AWD list 22 cubic feet behind the third row, 49 cubic feet behind the second row, and 89 cubic feet behind the front seats. That is the difference between “we can probably make it fit” and “throw it in, we’re already late.”

Powertrain: The V6 Is Gone, But Torque Saves the Day

On paper, losing the old V6 might sound like bad news. In practice, the new turbocharged four-cylinder makes a strong case for itself. The 2.5-liter turbo gas engine produces 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, nearly 50 lb-ft more torque than the previous V6, according to Kia’s launch materials.

That extra torque is what you feel in normal driving. The Telluride does not need to be revved hard to get moving, and the eight-speed automatic keeps things relaxed. This is not a performance SUV, and it does not pretend to be one. It is a big, refined, family-focused machine that has enough power to merge, pass, and climb grades without drama.

The gas Telluride is also rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, while the hybrid is rated up to 4,500 pounds. For buyers with a small trailer, personal watercraft, or lightweight camper, that keeps the Telluride in the useful category.

The available Turbo-Hybrid is worth noting, especially for buyers who prioritize fuel economy. It pairs the 2.5-liter turbo engine with electric motors and a 1.65-kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. Kia lists up to 637 miles of total range and an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined for the EX FWD hybrid, while the X-Line hybrid shown by Kia is EPA-estimated at 31 mpg combined. But the gas X-Line SX Prestige tested here still feels like the more traditional Telluride choice, and that is not a bad thing.

On the Road: Quiet, Composed, and Easy to Like

The Telluride’s strongest dynamic trait is not speed. It is composure. It feels settled at highway speeds, easy to place in town, and substantial without being cumbersome. The steering is light enough for parking lots, but not so numb that the vehicle feels disconnected.

The 21-inch wheels give the X-Line SX Prestige its stance, and while smaller wheels would likely be better for broken pavement, the ride remains impressively controlled for a large three-row SUV. It is the kind of vehicle that feels best when covering distance, which is exactly what most Telluride owners are going to ask it to do.

The cabin quietness also helps the Telluride feel more expensive than its badge suggests. That has always been part of the model’s appeal. Kia has figured out that luxury is not just leather, screens, and badges. It is silence, seat comfort, visibility, storage, and controls that do not make you want to mutter things in traffic.

Technology: Big Screens, Big Features, Mostly Good Execution

The 2027 Telluride brings the expected screen-heavy interior, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and an available 12.3-inch instrument display on higher trims. The presentation looks modern, and the system is quick enough that it rarely feels like technology for technology’s sake.

Kia also continues to load the Telluride with driver assistance features. The company says the 2027 Telluride offers 29 available driver assistance and collision avoidance features, and the spec list includes items like Blind-Spot View Monitor, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, Highway Driving Assist, navigation-based smart cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and available side parking sensors depending on trim.

The only real caution is one that applies to nearly every modern vehicle: not every function belongs behind a screen or touch-sensitive panel. Physical buttons still matter, especially in a family SUV where the driver may be adjusting climate control, dealing with traffic, and answering the world’s most urgent third-row snack request all at the same time.

X-Line vs. X-Pro: Know What You Are Buying

The X-Line SX Prestige is the more stylish, road-focused rugged trim. The X-Pro is the one Kia positions for more off-pavement capability, with 9.1 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, an advanced electronic limited-slip differential, multi-terrain AWD modes, an off-road vehicle status screen, and Ground View Monitor.

For most buyers, the X-Line is the better daily choice. It gives you the look, the upscale equipment, and AWD confidence without the added tire noise and compromise that can come with a more trail-focused setup. In other words, the X-Line is for people who want capability in reserve. The X-Pro is for people who want to tell you exactly which recovery boards they bought.

The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Line SX Prestige proves that Kia understands why the original Telluride worked. It was not just a value play. It was a design, comfort, and practicality win, all wrapped in a package that felt more expensive than it was.

The new model is more polished, more modern, and more capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with SUVs wearing far more prestigious badges. The loss of the V6 will bother some traditionalists, but the new turbo four has the torque to make the transition feel natural. Add in a premium cabin, strong cargo space, handsome styling, and the availability of a genuinely efficient hybrid, and the Telluride remains one of the best three-row SUVs on the market.

The Telluride is still the family SUV for people who care about design, comfort, and good sense. It is practical without being boring, upscale without being precious, and just rugged enough to make a gravel road feel like part of the plan.

Quick Facts

• Vehicle tested: 2027 Kia Telluride X-Line SX Prestige AWD
• Body style: Three-row midsize SUV
• Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
• Horsepower: 274 hp
• Torque: 311 lb-ft
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: AWD
• Seating: 7 passengers in published X-Line SX Prestige AWD configuration
• Towing capacity: Up to 5,000 lbs with gas powertrain when properly equipped
• Cargo space: 22 cu-ft behind third row, 49 cu-ft behind second row, 89 cu-ft behind front seats
• Published reference pricing: Car and Driver lists the 2027 Telluride X-Line SX Prestige AWD at $56,435 base and $57,435 as tested
• Hybrid available: Yes, 2.5-liter Turbo-Hybrid with 329 hp and 339 lb-ft
• Best fit: Families who want a premium-feeling three-row SUV without moving into luxury-brand pricing

FAQ

Is the 2027 Kia Telluride redesigned?

Yes. The 2027 Kia Telluride is the second-generation model, with new styling, larger dimensions, more interior space, updated technology, a new standard turbocharged engine, and the first-ever Telluride Turbo-Hybrid option.

What engine is in the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Line SX Prestige?

The gas-powered 2027 Kia Telluride X-Line SX Prestige uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Is the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Line SX Prestige a hybrid?

The vehicle reviewed here is the gas-powered X-Line SX Prestige AWD. Kia also offers a separate Telluride Turbo-Hybrid lineup with a 2.5-liter turbo-hybrid system producing 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque.

How much can the 2027 Kia Telluride tow?

The gas-powered 2027 Kia Telluride is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Telluride Turbo-Hybrid is rated up to 4,500 pounds.

How many people does the 2027 Kia Telluride seat?

The 2027 Kia Telluride lineup offers up to eight-passenger seating, while published specifications for the X-Line SX Prestige AWD list it as a seven-passenger configuration.

What is the difference between X-Line and X-Pro?

The X-Line is the more style-focused rugged trim with AWD confidence and premium equipment. The X-Pro is the more off-road-oriented version, adding features such as 9.1 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, multi-terrain AWD modes, an electronic limited-slip differential, and Ground View Monitor.

Is the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Line SX Prestige worth buying?

Yes. For buyers who want a premium-feeling three-row SUV with strong design, a comfortable interior, good cargo space, AWD, and useful towing capacity, the X-Line SX Prestige is one of the most compelling versions of the new Telluride.