The 2027 Kia Telluride may have actually accomplished a rare feat — being all things to all people. When it made its debut earlier this year, Kia offered it in two very different versions: an off-roader and a hybrid daily driver. The off-roader, dubbed the X-Pro, gives those who want to see trees a vehicle that will get them there and back while letting them accelerate their heart rate — a little bit.
The 2027 Telluride X-Pro XS Prestige offers plenty of comfort as well as off-road capability.
The gas-only X-Pro gets an upgraded suspension, additional ground clearance, all-terrain tires and a collection of electronic systems designed to make exploring the outdoors a little easier.
The result is an interesting combination: a comfortable, technology-packed family SUV that also happens to be reasonably capable when the pavement ends.
More Power, More Capability
The 2027 Telluride says goodbye to the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 that powered its predecessor. In its place is a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That’s paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive on the X-Pro.
While losing two cylinders might initially seem like a step backward, the turbocharged engine provides substantially more torque than the previous V6. That additional pulling power is particularly useful when carrying a full load of passengers or tackling steep grades.
The 8-speed automatic transmission is a welcome addition, since I prefer it to a continuously variable transmission. Power delivery is generally smooth, and the turbocharger offers a timely boost when accelerating or passing slower traffic.
The X-Pro also gets a 5,000-pound towing capacity, making it suitable for hauling a small camper, boat or recreational trailer.
The X-Pro is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
Fuel economy isn’t quite as impressive as the new hybrid version of the Telluride. The X-Pro is EPA-rated at 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. That’s a reasonable tradeoff for the additional off-road equipment, although buyers primarily interested in fuel savings should take a closer look at the hybrid.
The X-Pro’s biggest distinction, however, isn’t under the hood, it’s lower than that.
Kia has equipped the X-Pro with an exclusive suspension featuring additional travel and 9.1 inches of ground clearance, compared with 7.4 inches on conventional Telluride models. It also gets 18-inch wheels wrapped in wider all-terrain tires, an electronic limited-slip rear differential and a dedicated multi-terrain all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.
The electronic limited-slip differential helps distribute torque when one rear wheel loses traction, while Terrain Mode provides additional assistance when negotiating different surfaces. Front and rear recovery points are also included.
One particularly interesting addition is the Ground View Monitor. Using exterior cameras, the system displays a composite view of the ground immediately ahead of the vehicle when traveling below 6 mph. The accompanying off-road information screen provides useful information about vehicle pitch, roll and steering angle.
These aren’t features that will necessarily get used every day, but they’re welcome additions for anyone who occasionally ventures onto trails or unpaved roads. And perhaps more importantly, they make the X-Pro more capable than the average soft roader.
The new Telluride gets some interesting little design cues, such as the keystone-looking insert at the top of the wheel well.
Bigger, Bolder and More Rugged
Kia didn’t need to completely reinvent the Telluride’s styling. The original had one of the strongest visual identities in the segment, and the company wisely decided to evolve rather than abandon that formula.
The 2027 model has a more upright, boxy appearance, with a broad hood, pronounced bodywork and vertically oriented headlights. The grille is substantial, while the front fascia gives the SUV a more purposeful appearance.
The X-Pro takes things a step further. Blacked-out exterior accents, distinctive front and rear fascias, raised roof rails and the larger all-terrain tires give it a considerably more adventurous personality. The recovery points are another reminder that this isn’t simply an appearance package.
At 199.2 inches long, with a 116.9-inch wheelbase, the Telluride is a substantial vehicle. Its larger dimensions also provide meaningful benefits inside the cabin.
The X-Pro manages to look rugged without becoming an exaggerated off-road caricature. It still looks like a premium family SUV, albeit one that appears more comfortable heading toward a campsite than pulling up outside a country club.
Digital Playground
The dashboard is dominated by a wide digital display arrangement incorporating a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Telluride’s interior has always been one of its strongest selling points, and the second-generation model takes a significant step forward.
The dashboard is dominated by a wide digital display arrangement incorporating a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system provides access to navigation, vehicle information and entertainment functions, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make smartphone integration straightforward.
Higher trim levels, including the X-Pro SX Prestige we drove, add a Meridian premium audio system, head-up display, digital rearview mirror and additional camera technology. A 360-degree Surround View Monitor is particularly useful when maneuvering a vehicle of this size.
Kia has also added some interesting convenience features, including dual wireless smartphone chargers, a power-adjustable steering column with memory and smartphone-based digital key functionality.
There are plenty of charging opportunities throughout the cabin, including USB-C connections for passengers in all three rows.
One area that still takes some getting used to is the climate-control interface. The combination of touchscreen functions and physical controls isn’t always as intuitive as traditional knobs and switches. It’s not a deal-breaker, but I prefer a more conventional setup.
The system provides access to navigation, vehicle information and entertainment functions.
The X-Pro SX Prestige also includes SynTex and SynTex suede seating materials, heated and ventilated front seats, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs and a heated steering wheel. An Ergo Motion driver’s seat adds another layer of comfort.
It’s a substantial collection of technology and convenience equipment, particularly for a vehicle that remains positioned as a mainstream SUV rather than a luxury offering.
Comfort Cabin
Technology and styling might initially attract buyers to the Telluride, but passenger comfort and interior space are what make it such a compelling family vehicle.
The 2027 model is larger than its predecessor, with improvements to headroom, second-row legroom and third-row access. Kia has made particular efforts to improve the experience for passengers who don’t get to sit up front.
The X-Pro SX Prestige accommodates seven passengers, with second-row captain’s chairs providing easier access to the third row. Those seats can slide forward to make getting into the back easier, and the additional space makes the Telluride a legitimate three-row vehicle rather than an SUV with a couple of occasional-use seats.
There’s 22.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to approximately 46.3 cubic feet with the second row folded and 86.9 cubic feet with both rear rows down.
The X-Pro SX Prestige also includes SynTex and SynTex suede seating materials, heated and ventilated front seats.
That’s useful capacity for everything from grocery shopping to longer family road trips.
Another welcome improvement is cabin quietness. Kia has put considerable effort into reducing unwanted noise and vibration, creating an environment that feels more upscale than the Telluride’s mainstream positioning might suggest. The suspension also does a good job balancing comfort with the additional demands of the X-Pro’s off-road equipment.
There is a compromise, naturally. The all-terrain tires and more rugged suspension aren’t necessarily going to deliver the same road manners as a conventional Telluride. But Kia hasn’t sacrificed the vehicle’s fundamental family-friendly character to provide additional trail capability.
Would I?
It always comes down to this question: Would I?
The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro starts at $53,690 for the SX version, while the range-topping X-Pro SX Prestige AWD starts at $56,790. Add the $1,545 destination charge, and the top version comes in at $58,335 before optional equipment.
That’s a substantial amount of money, but it’s still competitive considering the equipment, technology and passenger accommodations Kia provides.
The 2027 Kia Telluride … so many options.
The X-Pro SX Prestige includes just about everything a buyer could reasonably want in a three-row SUV. More importantly, it brings additional off-road capability without requiring families to give up the comfort and convenience that made the Telluride popular in the first place.
There are alternatives worth considering. The new Telluride Hybrid offers considerably better fuel economy and more horsepower, while the conventional X-Line models provide much of the same upscale appearance without the X-Pro’s additional off-road hardware.
The 2027 Telluride is bigger, more powerful, more sophisticated and more capable than the vehicle it replaces. It also continues to deliver the combination of space, technology and value that helped establish the nameplate.
Yes. Yes, I would — but more likely I’d take the HEV rather than the X-Pro SX Prestige. I need road manners more than off-road manners. But both are impressive and I can see why the Telluride has racked up awards.
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