Kia’s family hauler is back for a second act, and the redesigned three-row SUV brings sharper styling, more room, and a hybrid option for the first time. After years near the top of the segment, the 2027 model wants to widen its lead.

• Starts at $40,735, with hybrid trims beginning at $48,035
• Hybrid powertrain produces 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque
• Up to 35 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive hybrid form

A Ground-Up Redesign for the Flagship

Seven years and more than 670,000 sales later, the second-generation Telluride is here, and Kia is taking the follow-up seriously. The automaker says its factory in Georgia is increasing production capacity by 50% for the new model. That’s a confident move for an SUV that already helped reshape Kia’s image with American buyers.

This is a true second generation for the Telluride nameplate, and Kia has done the work with a ground-up revision. For 2027, the Telluride gains a turbocharged four-cylinder base model, an optional hybrid, and fresh takes on the interior and exterior design. The wheelbase grows, third-row access is easier, and there’s a noticeable bump in cargo room. With all seats occupied, you’ll find 22.3 cubic feet of space behind the third row. With the third row folded down, that grows to 46.3 cubic feet. Folding all seats reveals a massive 86.9 cubic feet.

Two New Powertrains Replace the V6

The old 3.8-liter V6 is gone. Under the hood of the 2027 Telluride is a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4 with 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels or, optionally, all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic. Torque arrives early in the rev range, so passing and merging feel effortless even with a full load of passengers.

The bigger headline is the hybrid. Kia pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors. One motor lives near the engine, and the other is integrated into the six-speed automatic gearbox. Together they account for 90 horsepower. All in, the Telluride hybrid puts down 329 hp and 339 pound-feet of torque. At Edmunds’ test track, this big Kia ran from 0 to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds. That’s a bit quicker than a Honda Pilot.

Fuel economy is where the hybrid earns its keep. According to the EPA, the front-wheel-drive 2027 Telluride Hybrid EX and SX can return 34 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined. Gas models are rated at 22 mpg combined (FWD) or 20 mpg (AWD), with the X-Pros only offering 19 mpg.

Pricing, Trims, and How It Stacks Up

The 2027 Kia Telluride lands in a good spot, running from the $40,735 LX on up to $58,335 for an X-Pro SX Prestige or $59,135 for the Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige. The cheapest hybrid Telluride is the $48,035 front-wheel-drive EX, $2,700 more than the nonhybrid EX. Buyers who’d otherwise stop by their local GMC Acadia dealer for a three-row test drive now have a sharper Kia rival to weigh against the Acadia, the Toyota Grand Highlander, and the closely related Hyundai Palisade.

If trail use matters, the X-Pro is worth a look. It now has 9.1 inches of ground clearance, an electronic limited-slip differential, front and rear recovery hooks, dedicated terrain modes, off-road data displays, and a surround-view camera. Just note that you can’t spec a hybrid X-Pro, so off-road buyers stick with the gas engine.

Cabin Tech and Everyday Livability

Inside, the Telluride borrows cues from Kia’s EV9. The tech suite is familiar, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and a multimedia system that’s easy to use and quick to respond. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. Kia kept physical buttons and knobs for climate and audio, which is a small but welcome win for daily use.

Comfort features are spread across all three rows. The second-row seats are heated and ventilated, and the third-row outboard seats also offer heating. Towing capacity climbs too, with the gas model rated for 5,000 pounds and the hybrid pulling up to 4,500 pounds, edging out the Palisade Hybrid by 500 pounds.

Why This Telluride Matters

The original Telluride helped redefine what a mainstream three-row SUV could feel like, and the new one builds on that without losing the formula. With a wider price ladder, two fresh powertrains, and a cabin that punches above its sticker, the 2027 Telluride is positioned to keep families coming back. Whether you’re shopping value-priced trims or a loaded SX Prestige hybrid, this is the Kia three-row at its most polished yet.