by Michael Gauthier
- Kia has teased the 2027 Telluride, ahead of its debut on November 20.
- It’s coming to the LA Auto Show and will sport a streamlined design.
- We can expect two new powertrains, including a hybrid with 329 hp.
Six years ago, we proclaimed the Kia Telluride was “large, luxurious and here to eat the Explorer’s lunch.” That certainly rang true as the model quickly established itself as Kia’s second best-selling vehicle as well as one of the best-selling three-row crossovers in America.
While a lot has changed since 2019, age hasn’t impacted the model’s popularity. Quite the opposite as sales have increased every year and they’re on track to set another record in 2025.
More: Kia Sharpens Its Large SUV With New Hybrid Power And Rugged Looks
That’s an impressive achievement for an aging crossover, but an all-new model is on the horizon. Kia briefly teased it earlier today and confirmed the vehicle will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 20.
The company didn’t say much about the 2027 Telluride, but spy photographers have already snapped the redesigned model and it will follow in the footsteps of the new Hyundai Palisade.
As part of the makeover, the crossover will adopt streamlined bodywork and flush-mounted door handles. They’ll be joined by angular accents, a thick rear pillar, and an egg crate-style grille. Designers also created vertical lighting units, which have pronounced C-shaped graphics.
Rugged Variant Coming Too
Besides the regular model, spy photographers have snapped a rugged variant that is similar to the Palisade XRT Pro. It’s distinguished by a unique front bumper with red recovery hooks. The model also appears to have a lifted suspension and meatier tires.
Under the hood, we can expect two new engines including a 3.5-liter V6 developing 287 hp (214 kW / 291 PS) and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque. That would be a slight drop from the current 3.8-liter V6, which develops 291 hp (217 kW / 295 PS) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm).
We can also expect a Telluride Hybrid, featuring a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a 1.65 kWh battery pack, and two electric motors that are integrated into a six-speed automatic transmission. This should give the model a combined output of 329 hp (245 kW / 334 PS) and 339 lb-ft (459 Nm) of torque. More importantly, it could enable the crossover to return more than 30 mpg on the highway.