The launch of the 2027 Kia Telluride was a touch bittersweet. On the one hand the vehicle received a major overhaul which boosted efficiency, reworked the powertrain options, and gave the vehicle a bold new look. On the other, it was now more expensive than previous generations, and had lost a not insignificant amount of towing capacity.
Still, the paper specs rarely tell the whole story. I recently had the opportunity to test out the 2027 Telluride myself, specifically the “Kia Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige X-Line AWD,” and the results left me looking up lease deals.
Kia has copied Range Rover’s homework
If you look at the 2026 Kia Telluride from a distance, especially from the back, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a member of the Range Rover family. While it hasn’t been directly stated, it would be hard to deny that the Korean marque took a lot of inspiration from the iconic British manufacturer when designing the Telluride’s exterior.
This even extends to the paint. The “Black Jade Green” color would fit right in on the surface of a Range Rover. It’s pretty close to some of the deep modern mechanics on offer.
Where the Telluride does diverge is at the front. Its large and modern fascia is closer to Hyundai’s current offerings. It still fits in with the rest of the vehicle, and it’s good that some elements of the Kia are unique. Overall, the Telluride scores exceptionally high on the styling front. It’s something you can be proud to drive, and gives the SUV a luxury feel, even if it isn’t coming in at a luxury price point.
But the 2027 Telluride doesn’t drive like a Range Rover
While the 2027 Telluride certainly has Range Rover-esque looks Kia hasn’t quite managed to capture the feeling you get when you drive one of the luxury SUVs. This isn’t a shock, when they work Range Rovers are some of the best handling SUVs on the road. They handle better than any other large vehicle I’ve driven.
As for Kia’s effort, it’s not bad by any means. It just has a pretty standard driving feeling, like a Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse. In fact, I’d likely give it the edge over the Traverse when it comes to overall handling, which is a major plus for Kia as the two vehicles are directly competing.
The Telluride does have multiple driving modes, including a sport mode, but it really isn’t the sort of thing you’ll be aiming to set a hot lap in. It’s a large family SUV, and it’s pretty good at doing large family SUV things.
The Telluride is immensely practical
The Telluride is a three-row SUV and while other vehicles do have a bit more leg room in the third row, you can fit an adult back there. With that being said, I’ve always considered a three-row vehicle as something that should have its rear seats down by default. The extra storage space is very useful, and it’s easy enough to pop the seats back up should you need to get an extra passenger or two in there.
There’s also the space to consider. It’s pretty generous, with the 21.3 cubic feet available behind the third row only beaten by the likes of the Chevrolet Traverse in its class and larger vehicles like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. If you dump the third row you’ll ger just under 48 cubic feet of space, which isn’t as generous as the likes of the Toyota Grand Highlander and falls just behind a Honda Pilot. However, it’s still a lot of room.
The model I tested also came with self-leveling rear suspension, which should keep the Kia handling well even if you do pack a lot into the back.
Some comfort features are present
So it doesn’t handle like a Range Rover, but is the interior as luxurious as you’ll find in the British SUV? Again, no, this is less than half the price. But that’s not to say the Telluride isn’t beautiful inside.
I was genuinely impressed with the futuristic styling, which is coupled with a lot of high quality leather. While plastic is present, there’s notably less plastic than you’ll find in other interiors. On the trim I tested, the “SX Prestige X-Line AWD,” you won’t even find much piano black around to gather fingerprints and look weirdly cheap.
There is *a* massage seat present, but like a lot of Hyundai group vehicles it’s limited to the driver’s seat. Which is a shame, as the “Ergo Motion” massage system is one of the better ones available. Posture adjustment is also present in the driver’s seat, which can help on long journeys. The front seats are also heated and vented, as are the second row captain’s chairs.
With regards to infotainment, a dual 12.3 inch half-dash length panoramic display is at the center of it all, and works pretty well. Sound comes courtesy of a Meridian Premium Audio System which again sounds great.
As for ADAs features, there’s a high quality digital rear view mirrors, a solid set of cameras, Hyundai’s somewhat mediocre cruise control system, and a parking assist system which does not seem to work in most circumstances. In short, it’s what you’d expect from a mid-range to premium SUV.
Fuel economy is great on the hybrid model
Usually, I’d get a bit upset when a manufacturer drops its V6 option. But as we’re on about practicality here, I have to concede the hybrid powertrain is superb and absolutely the best option on this vehicle.
The 2.5 liter turbo-hybrid offers 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. Which doesn’t sound world beating in this day and age, but is still plenty for a three-row SUV. It can go from 0-60 in around 6.6 seconds, and the hybrid element makes it immensely responsive. At no point did the Telluride feel sluggish.
There’s also the 31 MPG (30 urban, 32 on the highway) to consider. Yes, it’s not the most economical thing you can get. But given its size, that is a superb fuel economy rating. With gas prices as volatile as they are, it could be a reason to get a Telluride on its own. It’s immensely practical and won’t bankrupt you if you decide to actually drive it.
On the flipside, the turbo 4-cylinder is notably less powerful, and only gets 22 MPG according to the EPA, so you should really avoid that and stump up for the hybrid.
If I was buying a personal vehicle, I’d be looking at a Telluride
Honestly, after my week with the 2027 Telluride I was looking up lease deals and loan offers while debating if I needed a new vehicle. It sits at a price point most middle class people can afford, it has a good amount of interior space, it drives well, it looks great, and Kia’s warranties are enough to dismiss any reliability concerns.
We’re halfway through 2026 as I write this, but the Telluride is a strong contender for my Vehicle of the Year. It just does everything well, and delivers exceptional value while doing so. Who cares about not being able to buy a RAV4 this year. You can just get a Telluride instead.
