2027 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Model: What Actually Changed and Should You Upgrade?
Table of Contents
The Kia Telluride changed the three row SUV game when it arrived in 2020. It looked bold, drove well, and offered a lot of features for the money. That formula worked. Sales stayed strong for years.
Now the second generation 2027 Kia Telluride is here. It looks tougher, gets a new engine, and brings more tech inside. But the big question is simple. Is this a real upgrade or just a new face with a few tweaks?
Here is a clean, real world comparison between the outgoing 2025 model and the all new 2027 version.
Powertrain: V6 Out, Turbo Four In
This is the biggest change.
| Specification | 2025 Telluride | 2027 Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8 litre V6 | 2.5 litre turbo four cylinder |
| Horsepower | 291 hp | 274 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb ft | 311 lb ft |
| Transmission | 8 speed automatic | 8 speed automatic |
| Combined fuel economy | About 20 mpg | About 20 mpg |
So the new engine loses 13 horsepower but gains 49 lb ft of torque.
How it feels on the road
V6 feels smoother and more refined
Turbo engine feels stronger at low speeds
Acceleration to highway speeds feels similar
New model handles better around corners
Ride quality still good, but large 21 inch wheels can feel sharper over bumps
The 2027 model will also offer a hybrid version later. The old generation never had one.
Exterior Design: Same Idea, Much Boxier
One of the reasons the Telluride became popular was its strong, boxy shape. The 2027 model keeps that idea but pushes it further.
The new SUV looks more squared off overall. The grille is bigger. The front end feels more upright and more SUV like than before.
Lighting also gets small upgrades.
Key exterior differences
New model has a larger, more upright grille
LED fog lights added on the EX X Line
Rear wiper now hidden under the spoiler
Fully LED tail lamps on the new model
Old model had some incandescent elements in the rear lights
Wheel sizes also change.
| Model | Wheel Size |
|---|---|
| 2025 Telluride | Up to 20 inch alloys |
| 2027 Telluride | Up to 21 inch alloys |
The 2027 model also grows slightly.
| Dimension | 2025 Model | 2027 Model |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About 197 inches | 199.2 inches |
| Height | Standard | About 1 inch taller |
It is not a huge jump on paper, but the new one looks more substantial on the road.
Interior: More Tech, More Storage, No Real Leather
Inside, the two generations feel similar in quality, but the layout and tech have changed.
The biggest practical difference comes from the new shifter design. The 2027 model moves the shifter to the dashboard area, which frees up the center console.
Interior highlights on the 2027 model
Dual wireless phone charging pads standard
Larger and more flexible center storage
Pass through storage under the console
New digital interface with updated software
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The old model had only one wireless charging pad and required a cable for smartphone connectivity.
There is also one surprising change.
Seat material change
2025 model offered real leather seats
2027 model uses synthetic leather only, even on top trims
Both generations still offer:
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Three zone climate control
Captain chairs in the second row
Second and Third Row: Small but Useful Improvements
Rear space improves slightly in the new model.
| Measurement | 2025 Model | 2027 Model |
|---|---|---|
| Second row legroom | 42.4 inches | 43 inches |
| Third row legroom | Slightly less | About 32 inches |
| Third row headroom | Lower | Improved due to taller body |
The third row mechanism also changes.
In the 2027 model, the second row seat tilts and slides forward as one unit. That makes it easier to access the third row, especially if a child seat is installed.
Another new feature appears in higher trims.
Heated third row seats available on the 2027 model
Cargo space increases slightly.
| Cargo Area | 2025 Model | 2027 Model |
|---|---|---|
| Behind third row | Around 20 cubic feet | About 22 cubic feet |
| Maximum space | Around 87 cubic feet | About 89 cubic feet |
Not a big difference, but still an improvement.
Technology and Safety
Both generations come well equipped with driver assistance features.
Standard safety tech includes:
Highway Drive Assist
Blind spot monitoring
Adaptive cruise control
Lane keeping assist
The new model offers an upgraded version of the highway assist system on higher trims.
Pricing: Not a Big Jump
For comparable EX X Line all wheel drive trims:
| Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2025 Telluride | About 46,485 dollars |
| 2027 Telluride | About 47,290 dollars |
That is less than a 1,000 dollar difference between the two generations at the base price for this trim.
In real world terms, the older model could still be a strong value if dealers offer discounts.
Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
Stay with the 2025 model if you want
Smooth V6 refinement
Real leather seats
Slightly softer ride on smaller wheels
Consider the 2027 model if you want
More modern design
Better interior tech
Wireless smartphone connectivity
More storage and family friendly features
Hybrid option coming soon
The new Telluride is not a dramatic leap forward, but it is a smart update. The biggest change is clearly the engine. Everything else feels like steady, practical improvements rather than a total reinvention.
For many buyers, the choice will come down to one question. Do you prefer the smooth V6 or the torquier turbo engine with newer tech?
Sources and References
- 2027 Kia Telluride Official Page
Source: Kia USA
Description: Official manufacturer page with specifications, features, trims, pricing, and powertrain details for the latest Telluride models. - 2025 Kia Telluride Review, Pricing, and Specs
Source: Car and Driver
Description: Detailed expert review covering performance, interior, fuel economy, safety features, pricing, and real world driving impressions of the Telluride.
2027 Kia Telluride FAQs
Is the 2027 Kia Telluride a completely new generation?
Yes. The 2027 model is the second generation Telluride. It brings a more boxy design, a new turbocharged engine, updated technology, and several interior changes compared to the 2025 model.
What engine does the 2027 Kia Telluride use?
The 2027 Telluride uses a 2.5 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine that produces 274 horsepower and 311 pound feet of torque. The previous generation used a 3.8 litre naturally aspirated V6 engine.
Does the new Telluride still offer a V6 engine?
No. The 2027 model replaces the V6 with a turbocharged four cylinder engine. However, Kia plans to offer a hybrid version, which was never available on the previous generation.
Is the 2027 Telluride more powerful than the old model?
The new model has less horsepower but more torque. It makes 274 horsepower compared to 291 in the old V6, but torque rises to 311 pound feet. That means it feels stronger off the line in everyday driving.
How different is the exterior design?
The new Telluride keeps the bold shape but becomes more squared off. It gets a larger grille, fully LED tail lamps, a hidden rear wiper, and larger wheels up to 21 inches.
Is the 2027 Telluride bigger than the 2025 model?
Yes. The new model is about 2.3 inches longer and about one inch taller. That gives it a more substantial look and slightly more headroom, especially in the third row.
Does the new Telluride have real leather seats?
No. The 2027 Telluride uses synthetic leather seats across all trims. The 2025 model offered real leather in certain trims.
What are the biggest interior upgrades?
The new model gets dual wireless phone charging pads as standard, more storage in the center console, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a redesigned shifter layout.
Is the third row more practical in the 2027 model?
Yes. The second row seat now tilts and slides forward as one piece, which makes access easier, especially if a child seat is installed. Headroom in the third row also improves.
How much cargo space does the 2027 Telluride offer?
It offers about 22 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 89 cubic feet with the seats folded down. That is slightly more than the previous generation.
Should you upgrade from the 2025 Telluride to the 2027 model?
Upgrade if you want newer tech, more storage, wireless connectivity, and the upcoming hybrid option. Stick with the 2025 model if you prefer the smoother V6 engine and real leather seats.
