2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-LineKiaThe Kia Telluride has long been one of the best values in the large SUV segment, and it's maturing into a vehicle that's flirting with a luxury status, especially in the higher trims.I tested the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Line SX-Prestige with all-wheel drive for a week and was taken by its thoughtful interior and ambitious styling. At $61,180 (including destination charges), this is one of the most expensive Tellurides you can buy. It's worth it.Kia completely redesigned the Telluride for 2027, which is on sale now. The new hybrid version, which I sampled, is the spotlight model.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd if you are still hung up on the idea of buying a Kia, you're doing yourself a disservice.What is the Kia Telluride Like to Drive?2027 Telluride HEV X-LineThe hybrid model gets 30 miles per gallon in the city, 32 mpg on the highway and a combined 31 mpg in city/highway driving. I observed 28.8 mpg in a mix of driving conditions, which is reasonably inline with the EPA's figures.I was impressed with the Telluride's hybrid powertrain, which teams a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with lithium-ion batteries and a six-speed automatic transmission. The system makes 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.I spent a good deal of time on the expressways. The power delivery was smooth, and I had plenty of juice for merging and jockeying for lane position. Sometimes the shifts were a little clunky at very low speeds on surface streets, but that's not unusual with hybrid powertrains sorting things out. I also found the brakes were a little vague and required more foot depression than I would have liked.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe ride quality was a little better than I expected. The 21-inch wheels looked sharp, but sometimes rollers of this size can harsh the pavement. Not the case here, as the Telluride was comfortable around town and during my extended summer excursions on Interstates 696 and 75.How does the Kia Telluride Look?2027 Telluride HEV X-LineGreat. Like a Land Rover. Kia calls this color Black Jade Green and it's a deep shade of forest green. With gloss black alloy wheels, black accents and black exterior badges, this Telluride looks like a premium SUV, which at this price I suppose it is.Granted, this is an expensive Telluride with optional features, but even the base SUV looks sharp. Kia has made the 2027 model a blocky, imposing ute with vertical headlights, tastefully creased sheetmetal and a lightly angled tail (where the Rover comparisons are really spot-on).The last generation of the Telluride was a good-looking SUV, and Kia could have stayed the course with the 2027 model. I like that Kia took a risk and made its flagship SUV into something that looks more aspirational, and the riskier styling fits the vehicle's larger dimensions.What is the 2027 Kia Telluride's Interior Like?2027 Telluride HEV X-LineI really like Telluride's cabin. The steering wheel is a large, almost squircle shape that is becoming common in the industry, especially in Lincolns. While it's not as extreme as the Lincoln Navigator's, it's still a little bit of a different shape than you might be used to, though it provides solid feedback for the driver.AdvertisementAdvertisementI tested a Telluride with a black interior with gray engineered wood accents, ambient lighting and synthetic leather and suede seats. Kia's faking it a bit here with the materials, but I couldn't tell the difference for the most part. It's a great looking setting, but it did feel a cut below a true premium interior, which is fair. My passengers loved the seats, which are sporty-looking and supportive.The entertainment is operated by buttons in the center of the dash that are easily reachable. I didn't like that they don't actually move, instead providing haptic feedback, which is something Rivian and Cadillac have tried. I found myself jabbing at them out of frustration. But, there are switches for the temperature and fan speed, which I certainly appreciateThere's plenty of cameras that aid parking this large SUV, which helped me wedge it into tight spaces easily. The center storage area is a well-engineered designed tool with a big space for your keys and two phone chargers.The second row was roomy; my 8-year-old was quite content back there. There's USB adapters, and the console has a drawer that pulls out with a tray. It's a clever design. The second-row captains chairs were vented and heated. The layout adds maneuverability to move about the cabin and easier access to the third row. I kept the third row down, and there was a ton of room for groceries, golf clubs and swimming gear.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Telluride is a tall vehicle with tall windows, which means you get a lot of light in here, especially through the two-pane sunroof. It's an airy experience, and with the windows even partially vented things get quite breezy. It's lovely in summer. The A-pillars are surprisingly thin, offering solid visibility and providing me more confidence than some smaller crossovers deliver.My Verdict on the 2027 Kia Telluride2027 Telluride HEV X-LineThe hybrid version is a welcome addition to the already formidable Kia Telluride lineup. It is a large SUV with solid fuel economy and dramatic styling. Even at $61 grand, you're getting more than you pay for. And in the lower trims, there's a still a lot of value with the front-wheel drive, non-hybrid versionsI give Kia credit. Many of its recent launches aim for the top of the market. It's aggressive. Kia doesn't just join a segment and hope to pick up sales via osmosis — it goes for the win. That's exemplified in the Telluride hybrid.This article was originally published on Forbes.com