The 2027 Kia Telluride Delivers Even More “Rover” Vibes and Off-Road Appeal
When the Kia Telluride made its debut in 2020, everyone swooned for its “Range Rover lite” feel: A tall, boxy SUV with square corners, a wide front grille, and all the comforts, from leatherette (or leather) to 3 reasonably sized rows perfect for families and gear.
For 2027, Kia leans in to that idea with even more passion, showing a longer, sleeker, more minimalist SUV still delivering on the Range Rover vibes, but also delivering lots of Kia character. We went to Kia’s design center in Irvine, California, to get a sneak peek at what this popular SUV holds for the future. Here’s where your next Telluride will take you—at least, on its modern design journey.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was Kia’s guest for this experience, but all opinions are my own.
Longer, Leaner and Filled With More Kia-esque Details
The 2027 Kia Telluride—yes, the availability of this SUV is a full year away—is marked by an exterior comprised of long, lean lines that swipe confidently right without genuflection to flowy lines designed to aid aerodynamics. Instead, it is muscular and definite, with crisp seams that form strong shoulders and a proud posture.
That more crisp form holds a cabin that is longer and larger than the current model; the wheelbase grew by nearly 3 inches, and overall, the Telluride is about an inch taller. That adds up to slightly more leg room and headroom, a welcome addition for growing families who need more space and don’t want to give up their Telluride.
The prototype we saw was painted a satiny sand beige, adding to the Range Rover vibe, but that’s where the resemblance ends. In its interior and exterior details, this is all Kia’s brainchild.
Watch: This is why we love the original Kia Telluride
A New Front Face For 2027 Kia Telluride
Iconic on the front of the 2027 Kia is the brand’s signature star map lighting, the amber flash of light that frames the front end. Between those lights sits a wider, chunkier front grille that, on the X-Pro prototype we toured, has the rugged feel of a brush guard; the lower portion extends out from the front of a bit to further offer production and capability in the form of orange tow hooks.
To keep the design on the minimalist side, the Kia badge is muted and black, set into the grill. Other black accents include lower side panel and wheel well cladding in a dual gloss and diamond-textured black finish. The diamond finish was a bit of a surprise and a welcome one; it has the muted yet slightly glittery surface of a diamond-cut nail file, a small but standout detail.
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Lighting Takes On a New Task in the 2027 Kia Telluride
The exterior of the Kia Telluride is designed to take the magic of ambient lighting and apply it to the exterior as well as the interior. Exterior lighting includes puddle lights that flash a Telluride logo when the car is unlocked or the doors are opened, as well as undercarriage lighting that will illuminate everyone’s path. There’s even a small fixture on the rear lift gate to provide a work light when needed.
Inside, light is a key feature. Not just dome lights and dashboard lights, but ambient lighting embedded into dash panels, consoles, and door panels to both provide visibility and illuminate features in the dark as well as create an architectural feel in the cabin.
Our tour of the Telluride prototype turned up lighting over the camo-inflected cut carbon dashboard trim (wood is also an option), in and under the center console, in the door panels, highlighting the door release latches, in the cup holders, and the rear seat storage drawer, but I’m sure there’s more to discover.
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A New Center Console Design Adds Space and Function
Designers who carve up the center console and create cubbies, storage, and places to put things simply win my heart. With the 2027 Telluride, the Kia team made me smile—a lot: there’s a nice flat spot right on the surface of the center console that will hold two phones. The prototype we toured showed both spots to be wireless phone chargers, a detail we’ll likely see in the top trim, and it’s welcome, powered or not. We’ve learned, we want our phones front and center.
There’s a nice, large storage spot with Kia’s retractable cup holder arms—love this detail— and it’s covered by a retractable top if you want to hide things away. Underneath all this delicious space is a storage cubby under the center console; it’s large enough for a small handbag, and it’s lighted so you can actually see what is underneath. There’s also a center armrest with storage underneath and on the rear of the console, a storage spot, and a drawer that pulls out for even more storage.
The open console design is thanks to the fact that the gear shifter has been moved to the steering column, a la Hyundai-style selector that holds the stop/start/drive/neutral/reverse/park functions. It may not be your muscle-memory cup of tea, but all that added storage will win you over. The console is framed by Porsche-like grab bars on either side, great for holding on when you need to and for not blocking your view when you need to see what’s in the cupholder.
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An Evolved Experience for the Driver Awaits in the 2027 Kia Telluride
Sliding into he driver’s seat, I was pretty thrilled to see that Kia went with the flat top and bottom steering wheel for added visibility and a modern look and feel. Behind the wheel is the long, linear screen that Kia’s had in its modern cars for a while now, including recent Kia Telluride models. The screen offers some nice advanced features like “Hey Kia” voice activation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and navigation that pops up in the driver’s display.
The steering wheel itself has also been redesigned with a more rugged look and feel, including a U-shaped center that lends a more truck-like look, and drive mode and traction mode buttons right at your fingertips on the wheel. As ever, drive assistance and entertainment buttons are on the steering wheel, and just a reminder, the stop/start buttons and gear selector are right behind it on the right side.
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All This and Yet, We Have Questions
Kia shared a ton about the new design of the 2027 Kia Telluride. What they didn’t share were details about the engines and pricing. Will there be a hybrid? A plug-in hybrid electric version? Will the price go up along with the added features and space? Will there be more towing capacity? Will the SX Prestige model feature different interior details? Massage seats, perhaps?
A year is a long way to go, but we should have some answers soon when Kia takes the stage at the Los Angeles Auto Show to share more. Until then, we’ll have to wait.
No Wasted Lessons From the Annals of Kia and Hyundai Design
I will say, I really, really like the new design of the Kia Telluride. That may be because I really, really like the design of the Kia EV9, the Hyundai Ioniq 9, and the new Hyundai Palisade. Not that these are the same—not at all. It’s as if each took a slab of granite from the same quarry and carved its own sculpture: rugged and minimalist, rich and textured, sharp and tech-inflected.
Some of the commonalities you’ll see are the flat top-and-bottom steering wheel, the long, linear screen, the retractable cup holders, the under console storage, the stop/start button, and the gear selector. And this is OK; there’s no sense in reinventing the wheel, but I also hope they continue to advance the Telluride.
I’d vote for a hybrid version with 35+ MPG; a plug-in hybrid with a 50+ mile range, and maybe a few more off-road goodies like roof lighting on the front and rear, and a ladder to reach the roof-top box. Because I’ll take all the Range Rover vibes and Kia smarts this SUV can deliver.
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