2027 Kia Telluride First Look: Stunning Exterior, Upgraded Interior, Expected Launch & Price Revealed

2026 Kia Telluride Second Generation

2027 Kia Telluride First Look

The 2027 Kia Telluride has officially been revealed, and it looks like a high-end luxury SUV that is ready to dominate the three-row family SUV segment once again. The previous Telluride, launched in 2020, became an instant success for its muscular and boxy styling. The new Telluride continues the same design philosophy but adds premium touches, modern technology, and improved practicality.

Exterior Design: Muscular, Boxy, and Premium

The new Telluride retains the original shape that made it popular. It still looks aggressive, muscular, boxy, and capable. Kia has preserved the bold stance while refining the styling with sleek lines and luxury-inspired detailing.

Key exterior highlights:

  • Boxy and rugged styling retained from previous generation

  • X-Pro trim shown in reveal, focused on off-road capability

  • Over 9 inches of ground clearance (about 1.5 inches more than standard model)

  • All-terrain tires and exclusive grille design on X-Pro

  • Dual recovery hooks front and rear

  • Optional skid plates as accessories

  • Flush door handles that pop out as you approach with the key

  • Vertical tail light styling that resembles Range Rover design language

  • Hidden rear wiper tucked under the roof panel

  • Hidden tow hitch panel with GPS coordinates of Telluride, Colorado

  • Strategic reflector placement without wraparound taillights for a cleaner look

The rear 3/4 angle is the most premium looking. The hidden tow hitch area even includes the actual geographical coordinates of Telluride, Colorado.

Dimensions

Kia states the overall dimensions are similar to the outgoing model. The wheelbase and length have grown slightly but only by a few inches.

2027 Kia Telluride First Look front close-up view showcasing grille, LED headlights, and bumper design.
Close-up of the 2026 Kia Telluride front fascia highlighting revised grille and LED headlamp details.
2026 Kia Telluride Second Generation
Front and rear profile of the 2027 Kia Telluride showing updated design elements.
2027 Kia Telluride First Look full side profile showing body lines and wheel design.
Side profile of the 2026 Kia Telluride showcasing bold SUV proportions.
2027 Kia Telluride First Look showing rear and side exterior design with LED tail lamps.
Rear and side profile of the 2026 Kia Telluride with modern tail light styling.

Interior: A Real Luxury SUV Experience

The interior is where the 2027 Telluride takes a major leap. It feels premium, modern, and extremely well laid out.

Notable interior elements:

  • Manufactured carbon fiber trim (exclusive to X-Pro)

  • Physical climate control switches with dedicated climate display

  • Physical buttons for heated and ventilated seats, massage, memory, and heated steering wheel

  • Dual wireless phone chargers are standard on every model

  • Responsive infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

  • Ability to schedule climate control activation (example: precool at 7 AM)

  • Radar sensors detect movement inside the cabin and notify via Kia app

  • Blind spot camera feed appears in instrument cluster

  • Larger Heads-Up Display

  • Mesh headrests for breathability and comfort

  • Clever trigger-pull interior door handle design

  • Column mounted gear device with twist-to-shift function

  • Digital rear view mirror functioning as a camera display

  • Hidden glovebox lock for securing valuables

  • Modular center console that converts from storage to cup holders

Seating, Comfort, Second and Third Row Experience

The second row feels extremely premium, offering:

  • Suede finishing on seatbacks

  • Heated and ventilated second-row seats

  • Retractable sunshades on rear windows

  • Lighted seat belt buckles

  • Dual USB-C ports on each seat back

  • Sliding drawer storage and additional pull-out shelf

  • Ceiling mounted climate control with temperature settings

The third row offers features not commonly found in this segment:

  • Heated third-row seats (rare in any SUV)

  • USB-C ports for both seats

  • Suede seatback material carried into the third row

  • Ceiling mounted air vents

  • Easy entry mechanism that preserves child-seat placement

Boot and Cargo Section

With all three rows upright, Telluride still offers surprising storage space.

Cargo area highlights:

  • Household style power outlet and 12-volt port

  • Manual third-row folding (faster and more convenient than powered system)

  • Multi-stage cargo floor with:

    • Partition storage

    • Measuring scale and cup holders for tailgating

    • Clip-up mechanism to hold the floor open

  • Light installed in the tailgate that:

    • Illuminates cargo area

    • Lets you adjust color temperature and brightness

2027 Kia Telluride First Look full front interior with dashboard, infotainment system, steering wheel, center console.
Front interior of the 2026 Kia Telluride showing dashboard, seats, and infotainment system.
2027 Kia Telluride First Look front interior featuring steering wheel, steering motor controls, infotainment, and cluster.
Steering controls and infotainment layout in the 2026 Kia Telluride.
2027 Kia Telluride First Look center console design with cup holders and control buttons.
Center console of the 2026 Kia Telluride showing controls and storage layout.
2027 Kia Telluride First Look digital instrument cluster display.
Digital instrument display in the 2026 Kia Telluride.
2027 Kia Telluride First Look front row seats with premium upholstery.
Front seat layout and upholstery of the 2026 Kia Telluride.
2027 Kia Telluride First Look second row captain seats with AC vents and armrest.
Captain seats in the second row of the 2026 Kia Telluride.
2027 Kia Telluride First Look rear seat sliding drawer storage and pull-out shelf.
Rear sliding drawer storage and pull-out shelf in the 2026 Kia Telluride.
2027 Kia Telluride First Look boot space showing luggage area and folding seats.
Large boot space of the 2026 Kia Telluride.

Expected Powertrain and Performance

Kia has not yet revealed full engine details but confirmed:

  • Powertrains will be different from Hyundai Palisade

  • Goal: improved acceleration and better fuel economy than before

Kia also mentioned that the X-Pro includes an electronic limited slip differential tuned for off-road use.

Driving Experience

Driving impressions are yet to be published. Early reviews will be available once media driving events begin.

Expected Launch Date and Price

  • Expected launch timeline: Early 2026 (global), India availability TBD

  • Expected price range (USA): Starting from USD 40,000 to 55,000

  • Expected price range (India via CBU, if launched): INR 55 lakh to 70 lakh ex-showroom

Final Thoughts

The 2027 Kia Telluride is shaping up to be one of the most premium and feature loaded three-row SUVs in its segment. Kia has retained everything that made the previous Telluride popular while adding more luxury, technology, and comfort.

Once powertrain and driving details are revealed, this SUV will likely set benchmarks again.

2027 Kia Telluride Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the 2027 Kia Telluride different from the previous model?

The 2027 Telluride keeps the muscular and boxy design that made it popular, but adds premium exterior detailing, new luxury-oriented interior materials, advanced tech features, dual wireless chargers, physical climate controls, and more comfort-focused features in the second and third row.

What are the key exterior highlights of the 2027 Telluride?

The new Telluride features X-Pro off-road trim, more than 9 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, dual recovery hooks, flush pop-out door handles, vertical Range Rover-like LED tail lamps, and a hidden tow hitch area showing GPS coordinates of Telluride, Colorado.

How premium is the interior of the 2027 Kia Telluride?

The interior includes manufactured carbon fiber trim (X-Pro), physical climate switchgear, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, dual wireless chargers, blind-spot camera feed in the instrument cluster, and a larger Heads-Up Display.

Does the 2027 Telluride offer second-row and third-row comfort features?

Yes, the second row gets heated and ventilated seats, retractable sunshades, dual USB-C ports, and ceiling-mounted climate controls. The third row offers rare features like heated seats, USB-C ports for each seat, roof-mounted vents, and easy entry while keeping a child seat installed.

What is unique about the boot space and cargo area?

The Telluride offers a multi-stage cargo floor with partition storage, tailgate-mounted lighting with adjustable brightness and color temperature, a normal household-style power outlet, and a manual third-row folding system for quick operation.

What engine and powertrain details have been revealed?

Kia confirmed that the Telluride will have different powertrains than the Hyundai Palisade and will focus on improved acceleration and better fuel efficiency. The X-Pro trim gets an electronic limited-slip differential tuned for off-road use.

When will the 2027 Kia Telluride launch?

The global launch is expected in early 2026. India launch is still unconfirmed.

What is the expected price of the 2027 Telluride?

Expected price in the USA is USD 40,000 to 55,000. If Kia brings it as a CBU to India, pricing may fall between INR 55 lakh to 70 lakh ex-showroom.

Related articles