Kia developed the Telluride to lift its entire brand. That’s what a proper flagship is designed to do. A quick look at year-over-year Telluride sales figures tells you that the vehicle is hugely popular—but that’s only part of the story. The Telluride has helped Kia massively raise its residual values. Brand perception is at an all-time high, and car buyers are spending more, on average, across the Kia lineup. The Telluride now enters its second generation. Becoming a brand-enhancing flagship is a tough act to follow, yet the 2027 Telluride nails the formula and is even better than before. Kia set me loose on the winding roads east of Santa Barbara and across a sprawling ranch to learn how it did that. Quick Specs 2027 Kia Telluride Engine Turbocharged 2.5-liter Four-Cylinder / Hybrid Output 274 HP / 311 LB-FT; 329 HP / 339 LB-FT Towing Capacity 4,500-5,000 Pounds Curb Weight 4,729-4,932 Pounds Base Price $40,735 Let’s get the bad out of the way first. The toughest part of the new Telluride isn’t the X-Pro model—it’s that front end. At least on the X-Pro model, the blacked-out trim hides the grille a bit better. The face of the Telluride just doesn’t come across as elegant as the rest of the vehicle. Still, the amber daytime running lamps do look pretty cool. As does the rest of the Telluride, when viewed from the side or rear three-quarters. There’s no denying the Range Rover resemblance from the back. But the Telluride script looks great, as does the brushed-metal treatment on the Kia badge. Viewed in profile, the fender treatment is excellent, but the added flourish at the top of the wheel wells is unnecessary. It merely serves as a non-functional visual distraction. Finally, the blacked-out wheels just got lost in those fenders. Kia puts a lot of design work into its wheels, then essentially hides it all by painting them black. Pros: Great Hybrid Range, Amazing Interior, X-Pro Has Good Soft-Roader Capability Slide inside, and any negative feelings from the exterior quickly evaporate. Kia has ramped up the level of available luxury, and this latest Telluride could compete with cars in a class above. Granted, the two models I drove were top trims, but Kia serves up tons of standard features on the lower Telluride trims as well. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard, but you can also spec heated seats in all three rows. Additionally, that second row can be had with ventilation and a Relaxation mode. Up front, there’s a pair of wireless chargers, plenty of USB-C ports, and tri-zone climate control is standard. All versions of the Telluride also feature a 12.3-inch center display and wireless smartphone connectivity. Photos by: Ralph Hermens | Motor1 Kia worked to improve the Telluride’s NVH levels. The resulting cabin space delivers a quiet, comfortable space where you can log long hours on the road and arrive refreshed at the other end of your journey. And it can be quite the journey should you opt for the new Telluride hybrid. Kia pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors. One motor lives near the engine; the other is integrated into the six-speed automatic gearbox, and together they account for 90 horsepower. All together, the Telluride hybrid doles out 329 hp and 339 pound-feet of torque. Cons: Front End Design Needs Work, No Hybrid Option On X-Pro The entry-level Telluride Hybrid EX is available with front- or all-wheel drive, but all other hybrid models are all-wheel drive-only. Jump over to the gas-only Telluride, and now the power is supplied by that same turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder—just minus the added electric thrust. Still, the power on tap is healthy as output is rated at 274 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. That torque peaks at just 1,700 rpm. The LX, S, and EX models come standard with FWD. You can upgrade the S and EX to AWD, and all other trims above that are only available with AWD. Kia claims that the hybrid model boasts a driving range of 637 miles. You’ll see 35 miles per gallon in combined driving. While it dips in tow rating compared to the pure gas model, 4,500 pounds versus 5,000 pounds, each one can handle hauling toys or a small camper. On the road, the Telluride hybrid feels comfortable and composed. Kia moved the electronic power steering system from the column to the rack. The idea here is to give the Telluride a bit more steering feel and overall better driving dynamics. There’s solid heft felt through the wheel, and it’s nicely progressive as you wind in more steering angle. The main takeaway is how comfortable the overall ride quality is, especially coupled with the improved NVH. This is a vehicle that’s very pleasant to drive for long stretches. But it’s not the model I’m most excited about in the Telluride lineup. Photos by: Ralph Hermens | Motor1 That would be the off-road-oriented X-Pro. This is definitely a soft-roader, yet I came away impressed with what it can do. Kia fits the X-Pro with recovery hooks front and rear, smaller 18-inch wheels wearing all-terrain tires, and the suspension gets an extra stroke for added articulation on off-pavement stuff. There’s, of course, no transfer case here. You won’t be scrambling over a rock-crawling trail, nor should you want to—Kia doesn’t offer any factory-developed underbody protection. There are some dealer-derived options, but nothing from Kia directly. But I look forward to the evolution of X-Pro as it relates to off-road capability. Honda has grown Trailsport in the right direction, Hyundai wants to get more serious with XRT, and I hope that Kia will try to push X-Pro into a more aggressive space. After all, the Telluride X-Pro already has an impressive 38.6-inch wading depth without any added equipment. That bests the number of both the Bronco Raptor and the Land Rover Defender. I don’t expect Telluride owners to attempt a run at the Rubicon. But I’m happy to report that the X-Pro does extremely well on mild trails and gravel roads. Kia Telluride Verdict The part I’m most happy to report on, however, is the new Telluride's price range. In a world where everything feels far too expensive, the 2027 Kia Telluride lands in a good spot; we run 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. You can’t spec a hybrid X-Pro, unfortunately. Regardless, keeping the Telluride in the $40k-$60k range while delivering a vehicle that easily competes with vehicles costing far more is quite an achievement. Kia has delivered a Telluride that keeps the promises asked of a flagship model. The first Telluride was good… this second Telluride is excellent. Competitors Honda Pilot Hyundai Palisade Mazda CX-90 Toyota Grand Highlander 2027 Kia Telluride Engine Turbocharged 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder / Turbo Hybrid Output 274 Horsepower / 311 Pound-Feet; 329 Horsepower / 339 Pound-Feet Transmission Eight-Speed / Six-Speed Automatic Drive Type Front- / All-Wheel Drive Seating Capacity Seven / Eight Cargo Volume 22.3 / 88.3 Cubic-Feet Length 199.2 Inches Width 78.3 Inches Weight 4,381-4,923 Pounds Base Price $40,735 On Sale Now We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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